Punctal Plug with Cone Anchor for Sustained Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for delivering active agents to the eye, such as topical eye drops, are inefficient due to overflow and dilution, and alternative routes like oral administration and injections come with side effects and risks.
Innovation Solution
Punctal plugs with a reservoir containing an active agent are inserted into the lacrimal canaliculus, featuring a cone-shaped anchor for secure placement and a collarette to prevent slipping, allowing controlled release of the agent into the tear fluid or nasolacrimal duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If topical eye drops are used to deliver active agents, then the eye can be treated, but a substantial portion of the drug is lost due to overflow and dilution
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the drug delivery function from the conventional eye drop method by inserting a punctal plug into the lacrimal punctum. This plug captures and retains the active agent at the drainage site, preventing overflow and dilution that occur with traditional topical application. The drug is delivered directly to the eye through the punctum rather than being lost in the conjunctival sac.
Solution Approach 2:
The punctal plug serves as an intermediary device between the active agent and the eye. It intercepts the drug-containing solution at the punctum and facilitates controlled delivery into the eye, preventing the harmful overflow onto the cheek and reducing dilution in the lacrimal lake. This intermediary structure enables more efficient drug delivery.
2Quantity of substance
If oral administration is used to deliver active agents, then the eye can be treated, but the active agent reaches the eye in too low concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the drug delivery pathway by placing a localized reservoir at the punctum. Instead of relying on systemic distribution through oral administration, the active agent is concentrated and delivered directly to the eye through the punctal plug. This segmentation allows high local concentration without requiring high systemic doses.
3Reliability
If injections are used to deliver active agents, then the eye can be treated, but there is risk of infection, discomfort, bleeding or perforation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by placing the active agent directly at the punctum through a minimally invasive plug insertion. This localized delivery method avoids the risks associated with injections (infection, bleeding, perforation) while still achieving high drug concentration in the eye. The procedure is simpler and safer than intravitreal or intramuscular injections.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional eye drops are used, then the eye can be treated, but the drug concentration is diluted in the lacrimal lake
Solution Approach 1:
The punctal plug extracts the active agent from the diluting environment of the lacrimal lake by intercepting it at the punctum. The plug prevents the drug from being dispersed and diluted in the large volume of the lacrimal lake, maintaining high concentration at the site of action.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a localized high-concentration drug reservoir at the punctum rather than allowing diffuse distribution in the lacrimal lake. This local concentration ensures therapeutic effectiveness while minimizing the volume of distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
Punctal plugs for delivering therapeutic agents to the eye have a body with a portion into which the therapeutic agent is loaded and a conical anchor portion at an end of the plug.