Ophthalmic devices for the controlled release of active agents

Abstract

The invention provides devices useful for the delivery of active agents to the eye in a controlled manner. In the devices of the invention, the active agent is present within the device in a continuous or discontinuous concentration gradient.

1 . An ophthalmic device, comprising: a body having a first end and a second end; a surface extending between the two ends; a reservoir contained within the body wherein the reservoir comprises at least one opening, an active agent-containing material and an active agent, wherein the active agent is present in a continuous or discontinuous concentration gradient within the active agent-containing material. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a punctal plug. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the active agent-containing material comprises poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and ethylene vinyl acetate. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and ethylene vinyl acetate are each present in an amount of about 50 weight percent. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  or  3 , wherein the active agent-containing material is a in a form of one or more fiber or fiber-like structures. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the device further comprises a release modulating component selected from the group consisting of biodegradable semi-permeable membranes, non-biodegradable semi-permeable membranes, pores and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claims 1  or  2 , wherein the active-agent containing material further comprises an outer segment comprising a first material having a low concentration of the active agent and an inner segment comprising a second material having a high concentration of the active agent, wherein the permeability of the first material to the active agent is less than the permeability of the second material. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 ,  2 , or  3 , wherein the active agent-containing material further comprises one or more of a phase separated inclusion, a destabilizing inclusion or a stabilizing inclusion. 
   
   
       9 . An ophthalmic device, comprising: a body having a first end and a second end; a surface extending between the two ends; a tapered reservoir contained within the body wherein the reservoir comprises at least one opening, an active agent-containing material and an active agent, wherein the active agent is present in a continuous or discontinuous concentration gradient within the active agent-containing material. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the device is a punctal plug. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the active agent-containing material comprises poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and ethylene vinyl acetate. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and ethylene vinyl acetate are each present in an amount of about 50 weight percent. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the active agent-containing material is a in a form of one or more fiber or fiber-like structures. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the device further comprises a release modulating component selected from the group consisting of biodegradable semi-permeable membranes, non-biodegradable semi-permeable membranes, pores and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the active-agent containing material further comprises an outer segment comprising a first material having a low concentration of the active agent and an inner segment comprising a second material having a high concentration of the active agent, wherein the permeability of the first material to the active agent is less than the permeability of the second material. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the active agent-containing material further comprises one or more of a phase separated inclusion, a destabilizing inclusion or a stabilizing inclusion.