Punctal plug with active agent

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 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for administering an active agent to a subject using a punctal plug, the method comprising:
 inserting the punctal plug into a punctal aperture wherein the punctal plug is placed in a vertical portion of a canaliculus proximal to the punctal aperture of an eye of the subject, wherein the composition of the punctal plug comprises:
 a) an active agent, and 
 b) a polymer, 
   wherein the shape of the punctal plug consists of a constant diameter cylinder.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of topical prostaglandin; latanoprost; travoprost; bimatoprost; a medication for treatment of a corneal infection; ciprofloxacin; moxifloxacin; gatifloxacin; a systemic medication; a medication for treating hypertension; atenolol; nifedipine; hydrochlorothiazide; and a medication for treating allergic conjunctivitis. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the active agent is cyclosporine. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the active agent is a medication for treatment of dry eye. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the active agent is a medication for the topical treatment of glaucoma or corneal infection. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the polymer is a hydrophilic polymer. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the polymer is porous or absorbent. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the active agent is travoprost or a systemic medication. 
     
     
         28 . A punctal plug comprising:
 a) an active agent, and   b) a polymer,   
       wherein the shape of the punctal plug consists of a constant diameter cylinder configured to be inserted into a punctal aperture and placed in a vertical portion of a canaliculus proximal to the punctal aperture of an eye. 
     
     
         29 . The punctal plug of  claim 28 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of topical prostaglandin; latanoprost; travoprost; bimatoprost; a medication for treatment of a corneal infection; ciprofloxacin; moxifloxacin; gatifloxacin; a systemic medication; a medication for treating hypertension; atenolol; nifedipine; hydrochlorothiazide; and a medication for treating allergic conjunctivitis 
     
     
         30 . The punctal plug of  claim 28 , wherein the active agent is cyclosporine. 
     
     
         31 . The punctal plug of  claim 28 , wherein the active agent is a medication for treatment of dry eye. 
     
     
         32 . The punctal plug of  claim 28 , wherein the active agent is a medication for the topical treatment of glaucoma or corneal infection. 
     
     
         33 . The punctal plug of  claim 28 , wherein the polymer is a hydrophilic polymer. 
     
     
         34 . The punctal plug of  claim 28 , wherein the polymer is porous or absorbent. 
     
     
         35 . A punctal plug inserted into a punctal aperture and placed in a vertical portion of a canaliculus proximal to the punctal aperture of an eye comprising:
 a) an active agent, and   b) a polymer,   
       wherein the shape of the punctal plug consists of a constant diameter cylinder. 
     
     
         36 . The punctal plug of  claim 35 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of topical prostaglandin; latanoprost; travoprost; bimatoprost; a medication for treatment of a corneal infection; ciprofloxacin; moxifloxacin; gatifloxacin; a systemic medication; a medication for treating hypertension; atenolol; nifedipine; hydrochlorothiazide; and a medication for treating allergic conjunctivitis. 
     
     
         37 . The punctal plug of  claim 35 , wherein the active agent is cyclosporine. 
     
     
         38 . The punctal plug of  claim 35 , wherein the active agent is a medication for treatment of dry eye. 
     
     
         39 . The punctal plug of  claim 35 , wherein the active agent is a medication for the topical treatment of glaucoma or corneal infection. 
     
     
         40 . The punctal plug of  claim 35 , wherein the polymer is a hydrophilic polymer. 
     
     
         41 . The punctal plug of  claim 35 , wherein the polymer is porous or absorbent.