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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for administering an active agent to a subject, the active agent having been applied to at least one surface of an ocular implant, the method comprising installing the implant at the eye of the subject for administering the active agent through tissues of the eye. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , including the step of applying the active agent to at least one surface of the ocular implant. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ocular implant is a punctal plug, the method including inserting the plug into a punctal aperture of the subject. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ocular implant is a punctal plug, the method including applying the active agent to a stem of the plug and inserting the stem into a canaliculus of the subject. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the ocular implant is a punctal plug, the method including applying the active agent to a stopper of the plug, the plug having a stem for inserting into a punctal aperture of the subject. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the active agent is a medicine. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group comprising: topical prostaglandin; latanoprost; travaprost; bimataprost; a medication for a treatment for corneal infections; ciprofloxacin; moxifloxacin; gatifloxacin; a systemic medication; a mediation for treating hypertension; atenolol; nifedipine; and hydrochlorothiazide. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the active agent is a medication for the topical treatment of glaucoma or corneal infection. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the implant is hollow for passing tears. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the implant is hollow for passing tears and the active agent is made available at an interior of the hollow implant for being carried by the passage of tears. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for administering an active agent to a subject, comprising an active agent applied to at least one surface of an ocular implant for installation at the eye of the subject. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the ocular implant is a punctal plug. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the ocular implant is a punctal plug, the active agent being on a stem of the plug for insertion into a canaliculus of the subject. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the ocular implant is a punctal plug, the active agent being on a stopper of the plug, the plug having a stem for insertion into a punctal aperture of the subject. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the active agent is a medicine. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group comprising: topical prostaglandin; latanoprost; travaprost; bimataprost; a medication for a treatment for corneal infections; ciprofloxacin; moxifloxacin; gatifloxacin; a systemic medication; a mediation for treating hypertension; atenolol; nifedipine; and hydrochlorothiazide. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the active agent is a medication for the topical treatment of glaucoma or corneal infection. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the implant is hollow for passing tears. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the implant is hollow for passing tears and the active agent is made available at an interior of the hollow implant.