US3618604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ocular insert
Assignee: Alza Corp
•
Filing: 1969-06-09
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Granted: 1971-11-09
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Expires: 1989-06-09
Abstract
Abstract Drug-dispensing ocular insert is comprised of a flexible body of polymeric material that is insoluble in tear liquid and has an imperforate surface. The polymeric material contains a drug which is dispensed to the eye in a therapeutically effective amount by diffusion through the polymeric material. The ocular insert is adapted for insertion in the cul-de-sac of the conjunctiva between the sclera of the eyeball and the lower lid, to be held in place against the eyeball by the pressure of the lid.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A Ness
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/0008; A61F9/0017; A61K; A61K9/00; A61K9/0012; A61K9/0048; A61K9/0051
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A medication-dispensing tablet for a human eyeball, said tablet comprising a reservoir of drug formulation confined within a flexible, imperforate and continuous-surfaced body of nonallergenic polymeric material which is insoluble in tear liquid, said body being formed of a drug-release rate-controlling polymer to continuously meter the flow of drug by diffusion from the reservoir to the eye at a controlled, predetermined and reproducible rate over a prolonged period of time, said body being adapted for insertion into the cul-de-sac of the conjunctiva between the sclera of the eyeball and eyelid, to be held in place against the eyeball by the pressure of the lid, and said body having a marginal outline and cross section adapted to assume essentially the configuration of the scleral curvature; said drug being capable of transport through the unbroken walls of said body by diffusion and said body being so constructed and arranged that, when applied to the eyeball, to dispense said drug thereto, drug leaving said body by diffusion is transported to the eyeball by the flow of tears and by the blinking action of the eyelids.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A medication-dispensing tablet for a human eyeball, said tablet comprising a reservoir of drug formulation confined within a flexible, imperforate and continuous-surfaced body of nonallergenic polymeric material which is insoluble in tear liquid, said body being formed of a drug-release rate-controlling polymer to continuously meter the flow of drug by diffusion from the reservoir to the eye at a controlled, predetermined and reproducible rate over a prolonged period of time, said body being adapted for insertion into the cul-de-sac of the conjunctiva between the sclera of the eyeball and eyelid, to be held in place against the eyeball by the pressure of the lid, and said body having a marginal outline and cross section adapted to assume essentially the configuration of the scleral curvature; said drug being capable of transport through the unbroken walls of said body by diffusion and said body being so constructed and arranged that, when applied to the eyeball, to dispense said drug thereto, drug leaving said body by diffusion is transported to the eyeball by the flow of tears and by the blinking action of the eyelids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein the reservoir of drug formulation is comprised of a sealed container with walls of said polymeric material and said drug is contained in an interior chamber thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 2, wherein said polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of plasticized or unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, plasticized nylon, unplasticized soft nylon, plasticized polyethylene terephthalate, silicone rubber, hydrophilic hydrogel of an ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid, modified collagen, cross-linked hydrophilic polyether gel, cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol, and cross-linked partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 3, wherein said polymeric material is silicone rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 3, wherein said polymeric material is a hydrophilic hydrogel of an ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein the reservoir of drug formulation is comprised of a matrix of the drug-release rate-controlling polymeric material, said matrix having the drug distributed therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein said polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of plasticized unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, plasticized nylon, unplasticized soft nylon, plasticized polyethylene terephthalate, silicone rubber, hydrophilic hydrogel of an ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid, modified collagen, cross-linked hydrophilic polyether gel, cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol, and cross-linked partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 7, wherein said polymeric material is silicone rubber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 7, wherein said polymeric material is a hydrophilic hydrogel of an ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein said drug is an ophthalmic drug.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein said drug is a systemically active drug which will pass through the eye to the bloodstream and produce a pharmacologic response at a site remote from the eye.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein said drug is a systemically active drug which will pass through the tissue surrounding the eye to the bloodstream and produce a pharmacologic response at a site remote from the eye.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein from 1 microgram to 1 milligram of drug is incorporated in said tablet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein same is circular in cross section and tapered at its ends.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein same is ellipsoidal in cross section and tapered at its ends.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein same ranges from 4 to 20 millimeters in length, 1 to 12 millimeters in width, and 0.1 to 1 millimeter in thickness.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein the drug is chloramphenicol and the polymeric material is polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein the drug is promethazine trichloroacetate and the polymeric material is polyvinyl chloride. 19 The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein the drug is chloramphenicol and the polymeric material is polydimethylsiloxane rubber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein the drug is a member selected from the group consisting of pilocarpine and pilocarpine perfluorobutyrate and the polymeric material is polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The medication-dispensing tablet as defined by claim 1, wherein the drug is dexamethasone and the polymeric material is nylon-66.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-08 | 1975-05-10 | 1975-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-08 | 1979-05-10 | 1979-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-08 | 1983-05-10 | 1983-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |