Drug delivery device

Abstract

Drug delivery devices, and methods of delivering pharmaceutically active agents to a target tissue within a body using such devices, are disclosed. One drug delivery device includes a body having an internal surface for placement proximate a target tissue and a well having an opening to the internal surface. An inner core comprising a pharmaceutically active agent is disposed in the well.

1 . An ophthalmic drug delivery device, comprising: 
 a body having: 
 a scleral surface having a radius of curvature that facilitates contact with a sclera of a human eye;  
 a well having an opening to said scleral surface; and  
 a geometry that facilitates disposing said device on an outer surface of said sclera, below a Tenon's capsule of said eye, and in a posterior segment of said eye; and  
   an inner core disposed in said well and comprising a pharmaceutically active agent.    
     
     
         2 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein said body has a geometry that facilitates disposing said device on said outer surface of said sclera, below said Tenon's capsule, and in said posterior segment so that said inner core is disposed proximate a macula of said eye.  
     
     
         3 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 2 , wherein said body has a geometry that facilitates disposing said device on said outer surface of said sclera, below said Tenon's capsule, and in said posterior segment so that said inner core is disposed generally above said macula.  
     
     
         4 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein said inner core is a tablet.  
     
     
         5 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of said body is made from a generally elastic material so that said generally elastic material, a geometry of said well, and a geometry of said tablet frictionally secure said tablet within said well.  
     
     
         6 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein said tablet is formulated to bioerode and release said pharmaceutically active agent at a controlled rate.  
     
     
         7 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein said inner core is a hydrogel.  
     
     
         8 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 7 , wherein said hydrogel is formulated to bioerode and release said pharmaceutically active agent at a controlled rate.  
     
     
         9 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 7 , wherein said pharmaceutically active agent diffuses through said hydrogel at a controlled rate.  
     
     
         10 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining member extending from said body proximate said opening, and wherein said retaining member helps to retain said inner core in said well.  
     
     
         11 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 10 , wherein said retaining member comprises a rim at least partially disposed around said opening.  
     
     
         12 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of any one of claims  1 - 11 , wherein said pharmaceutically active agent comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of 4,9(11)-Pregnadien-17α,21-diol-3,20-dione and 4,9(11)-Pregnadien-17α,21-diol-3,20-dione-21-acetate.  
     
     
         13 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of any one of claims  1 - 11 , wherein said pharmaceutically active agent comprises eliprodil.