Ring-Shaped Ocular Drug Delivery Device with Curved Intermediate Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocular drug delivery methods face challenges in achieving stable wear and efficient drug delivery to posterior ocular tissues, with existing ring-shaped devices lacking in comfort and stability, and failing to effectively target posterior tissues without causing systemic side effects.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped device with a curved thin film design featuring an opening to expose the cornea and an intermediate portion with maximum thickness between the inner and outer edges, allowing for comfortable long-term wear and efficient drug delivery to posterior ocular tissues when applied on the scleral surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a flat plane hydrogel device is used for intraocular drug administration, then drug delivery capability is provided, but stable wearing in the interior of the eye becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the flat plane hydrogel device into a ring-shaped device with curved surface that fits the curvature of the eye. This curvature allows the device to conform to the ocular surface, providing stable wearing while maintaining drug delivery capability to posterior ocular tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a ring-shaped structure with an opening that exposes the cornea. This segmentation allows the device to selectively cover the sclera while leaving the cornea accessible, enabling stable wearing on the scleral surface while facilitating drug delivery to posterior tissues without blocking anterior structures.
2Ease of operation
If a ring-shaped device is designed to fit the curvature of the eye, then wearing comfort is improved, but intraocular stability cannot be afforded only by considering eye curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thicknesses to different portions of the ring-shaped device. The intermediate portion between the inner and outer edge portions has a greater thickness than the edge portions. This local variation in thickness provides both wearing comfort through curvature fitting and intraocular stability through the enhanced thickness in the intermediate portion that better conforms to the scleral surface geometry.
3Quantity of substance
If a ring-shaped device is worn on the scleral surface, then drug delivery to posterior ocular tissues is achieved, but contact with the cornea may cause discomfort or reduce effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The ring-shaped device incorporates an opening that exposes the cornea, creating a segmented structure that separates the coverage area. This allows the device to wear on the scleral surface and deliver drug to posterior ocular tissues while leaving the cornea completely exposed and free from contact, thereby eliminating corneal-related discomfort or reduced effectiveness.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention aims to provide a ring-shaped device superior in the wearing comfort and intraocular stability while being worn on the eye. Provided is a ring-shaped device to be worn on the scleral surface, which is characterized in that it has an opening to expose the cornea and an intermediate portion between an inner edge portion and an outer edge portion has a maximum thickness.