Drug delivery via ocular implant

Abstract

A method and apparatus for administering an active agent such as a medicine to a subject, uses an ocular implant such as a punctal plug, to which the active agent has been applied. The implant is installed at the eye of the subject for administering the active agent via tissues of the eye.

1 . An ocular implant comprising:
 an implant body partially defined by a first end portion and a second end portion,   the implant body including a hollow portion extending the length of the implant body, the hollow portion configured to allow for the passage of tear fluid therethrough; and   an active agent.   
   
   
       2 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow portion includes a straw-like configuration. 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the active agent includes at least one of a topical prostaglandin, latanoprost, travaprost, bimataprost, a medication for the treatment of corneal infections, ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, a systemic medication, a medication for treating hypertension, atenolol, nifedipine, hydrochlorothiazide, cyclosporine, or olopatadine. 
   
   
       5 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the active agent includes at least one of an antihistamine, an anti-allergy medication, olopatadine, or cromalyn sodium. 
   
   
       6 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the active agent includes a chronic medication. 
   
   
       7 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant body extends from the first end portion, configured to seat at or near a lacrimal punctum when implanted, to the second end portion, configured for insertion through the lacrimal punctum into a lacrimal canaliculus when implanted,
 the first end portion including an opening configured to direct tear fluid into the hollow portion.   
   
   
       8 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow portion is substantially parallel or concentric with an axis of the implant body. 
   
   
       9 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow portion is at least partially filled with a second material. 
   
   
       10 . The ocular implant of  claim 9 , wherein the second material includes the active agent. 
   
   
       11 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant body is formed of a porous or absorbent material. 
   
   
       12 . The ocular implant of  claim 11 , wherein the porous or absorbent material of the implant body is saturated with the active agent. 
   
   
       13 . The ocular implant of  claim 1 , wherein the active agent is made available at an interior of the hollow portion. 
   
   
       14 . An ocular implant comprising:
 an implant body extending from a proximal end, configured to seat against a punctal aperture, to a distal end, configured to insert into the punctal aperture, and including a hollow portion, the hollow portion extending from the proximal end to the distal end and configured for a passage of tear fluid therethrough; and   an active agent disposed in or on one or more portions of the implant body or the hollow portion, the active agent deliverable on a sustained release basis to tissue at or near at least one of an eye or a nasolacrimal system of a subject.   
   
   
       15 . The ocular implant of  claim 14 , wherein the active agent is made available at an interior of the hollow portion and is configured to leave the implant body with the passage of tear fluid, when implanted. 
   
   
       16 . The ocular implant of  claim 15 , wherein the sustained release of the active agent to tissue at or near the nasolacrimal system of the subject is via the interior of the hollow portion. 
   
   
       17 . The ocular implant of  claim 14 , wherein the implant body is configured to provide the sustained release of active agent to tissue for a time period between 3-6 months, after implant. 
   
   
       18 . The ocular implant of  claim 14 , wherein the entire implant body is saturated with the active agent. 
   
   
       19 . The ocular implant of  claim 14 , wherein the active agent is configured to deliver medication, at least in part, to the nasolacrimal system. 
   
   
       20 . The ocular implant of  claim 14 , wherein the active agent is configured to treat glaucoma of the eye. 
   
   
       21 . A method comprising:
 placing an ocular implant, including a hollow portion extending therethrough, adjacent an eye of a subject; and   administering an active agent, applied to the ocular implant, to tissue of one or both of the eye or a nasolacrimal system.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , comprising allowing tear fluid to flow through the hollow portion of the ocular implant. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , comprising treating at least one of glaucoma, a corneal infection, allergic conjunctivitis or rhinitis. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein administering the active agent includes transdermal or surface absorption of the active agent into the tissue of the eye. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein administering the active agent includes administering the active agent to tissue at one or more walls of a lacrimal canaliculus. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein administering the active agent to the one or more walls of the lacrimal canaliculus includes systemically delivering the active agent to the subject. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein administering the active agent includes using tear fluid as a carrier for the active agent from the ocular implant to tissue of the eye or the nasolacrimal system. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein administering the active agent includes providing a sustained agent release for a time period between 3-6 months after implant.