Lacrimal implant detection
This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus comprising a lacrimal implant insertable at least partially into a lacrimal punctum. The lacrimal implant comprises an implant core, and an implant body. The implant body includes a cavity sized and shaped to receive the implant core. At least one of the implant core and the implant cavity includes a detection device configured to allow automatic detection of the lacrimal implant with a separate detector device.
1. A lacrimal implant comprising:
a punctal plug insertable at least partially into a lacrimal punctum, the punctal plug comprising:
an implant core comprising a matrix;
a sheath body partially surrounding the implant core;
a plug body, wherein the plug body includes a cavity sized and shaped to receive the implant core,
the implant core disposed within the cavity, and
a contrast agent configured to allow detection of the punctal plug with a separate detector device, wherein the contrast agent is present in at least one of the implant core and the plug body and configured to optically distinguish the lacrimal implant from a region of an eye.
2. The lacrimal implant of claim 1 , wherein the contrast agent includes a material visible when illuminated with a 600-1300 nanometer light source.
3. The lacrimal implant of claim 1 , wherein the implant core further comprises a sustained release ocular agent.
4. The lacrimal implant of claim 1 , wherein the contrast agent is disposed within the sheath.
5. The lacrimal implant of claim 1 , wherein the contrast agent comprises a color material, a pigment or a dye.
6. The lacrimal implant of claim 3 , wherein the sustained release ocular agent comprises travoprost, NSAIDs, anti-glaucoma drugs, prostaglandin analogues, cycloplegic drugs, or mydriatic drugs.
7. A lacrimal implant comprising:
a green punctal plug insertable at least partially into a lacrimal punctum, comprising:
an implant core comprising a silicone matrix and latanoprost;
a sheath body partially surrounding the implant core;
a plug body of biocompatible material, wherein the plug body includes a cavity sized and shaped to receive the implant core;
the implant core disposed within the cavity, wherein the green punctal plug is distinguished from a region of an eye.
8. A lacrimal implant comprising:
a punctal plug insertable at least partially into a lacrimal punctum, the punctal plug comprising:
an implant core comprising a matrix and a therapeutic agent;
a sheath body partially surrounding the implant core;
a plug body, wherein the plug body comprises a cavity configured to receive the implant core; and
the implant core disposed with the cavity,
wherein at least one of the implant core or the plug body comprises a contrast agent, which is configured to optically distinguish the punctal plug from a region of an eye.
9. The lacrimal implant of claim 8 , wherein the sheath body is substantially impermeable to the therapeutic agent.
10. The lacrimal implant of claim 8 , wherein the lacrimal implant is a green punctual plug.
11. The lacrimal implant of claim 8 , wherein the matrix comprises silicone.
12. The lacrimal implant of claim 8 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises NSAIDs, anti-glaucoma drugs, prostaglandin analogues, cycloplegic drugs, or mydriatic drugs.
13. The lacrimal implant of claim 8 , wherein the therapeutic agent is latanoprost or travoprost.
14. The lacrimal implant of claim 8 , wherein the contrast agent comprises a color material, a pigment, or a dye.
15. The lacrimal implant of claim 14 , wherein the contrast agent is disposed on a surface of the implant core.
16. The lacrimal implant of claim 14 , wherein the contrast agent is disposed on a sheath body of the implant core.
17. The lacrimal implant of claim 14 , wherein the contrast agent is disposed in the matrix of the implant core.
18. The lacrimal implant of claim 14 , wherein the contrast agent is disposed in the plug body.
19. The lacrimal implant of claim 14 , wherein the contrast agent comprises a material visible when illuminated with a visible light source.
20. The lacrimal implant of claim 19 , wherein the visible light source is an LED.
21. The lacrimal implant of claim 14 , wherein the, contrast agent comprises a material visible when illuminated with a 600 to 1300 nanometer light source.
22. The lacrimal implant of claim 3 , wherein the sustained release ocular agent is latanoprost.
23. The lacrimal implant of claim 22 , wherein the latanoprost is liquid latanoprost droplets dispersed in a non-biodegradable silicone matrix.
24. The lacrimal implant of claim 23 , wherein the latanoprost is released at therapeutic levels to the eye when the punctal plug is implanted into a lacrimal punctum.
25. The lacrimal implant of claim 13 , wherein the therapeutic agent is liquid latanoprost droplets dispersed in a non-biodegradable silicone matrix.
26. The lacrimal implant of claim 25 , wherein the latanoprost is released at therapeutic levels to the eye when the punctal plug is implanted into a lacrimal punctum.