Lacrimal gland implant for drug delivery and method

An implant placed into the lacrimal gland of a patient for delivery of a drug to the eye for treating conditions such as glaucoma, or merely the gland itself for treating dry eye syndrome. The implant can be placed in such a way that the drug-carrying surfaces of the implant are exposed to the gland...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Becker, Bruce B
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 04.11.2021
Subjects
BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS
DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS
FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS
FIRST-AID KITS
FOMENTATION
HUMAN NECESSITIES
HYGIENE
MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE
ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES
PROSTHESES
TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS
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Summary:An implant placed into the lacrimal gland of a patient for delivery of a drug to the eye for treating conditions such as glaucoma, or merely the gland itself for treating dry eye syndrome. The implant can be placed in such a way that the drug-carrying surfaces of the implant are exposed to the glandular tissues allowing diffusion of the drug into those tissues. For glaucoma, tears generated by those tissues can contain an amount of the drug for delivery to the surface of the eye. The implant can be made from biodegradable/bioabsorbable or non-biodegradable/non-bioabsorbable materials. A tool and method of use facilitates proper emplacement of the implant in part of the lacrimal gland. The tool can include a hallow needle having an axial bore through which the implant passes. During emplacement, a ramrod connected to a physician-manipulable plunger on a syringe-like device pushes the implant from the tip of the needle. Physical structures on the implant can help properly release the drug carried by the implant and help maintain its position in the lacrimal gland.
Bibliography:Application Number: US202117235227