Drug delivery through hydrogel plugs
US8563027B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2250/0067
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An embodiment is a medical prosthesis for blocking or reducing tear flow through a punctum or canaliculus of a human eye and delivering a drug to the eye that comprises a dehydrated covalently crosslinked synthetic hydrophilic polymer hydrogel with dimensions to pass through a puncta lacrimali, with the dehydrated hydrogel absorbing physiological water to swell to at least 1 mm in cross-sectional width and conformably fit a canaliculus, with the hydrogel comprising a therapeutic agent dispersed through the hydrogel for release to an eye, with the hydrogel having a water content of at least about 50% by weight or volume when allowed to fully hydrate in vitro in physiological saline.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.