Enhanced Lacrimal System for Targeted and Optimized Drug Delivery
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An improved lacrimal system for delivering therapeutic agents to the eye, featuring targeted delivery, adjustable flow rates, and integrated sensors for enhanced patient compliance and efficacy.
Background and Problem Solved
The original lacrimal system patent has limitations in terms of delivering drugs to specific areas of the eye and periocular tissues. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by providing a more targeted and optimized approach to drug delivery, ensuring better treatment outcomes and improved patient compliance.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced lacrimal system comprises a reservoir balloon with an exit port and a tube with at least two lumens, allowing for selective direction of fluid flow to specific areas of the eye or periocular tissues. The system also features a method for optimizing drug delivery based on individual patient needs and ocular health status. Additionally, the system includes an integrated sensor for monitoring fluid volume and a microcontroller for regulating fluid flow. The wearable device ensures patient compliance by reminding the patient to administer the drug at predetermined intervals and tracking adherence to the treatment regimen. The system can also deliver multiple therapeutic agents simultaneously, using a reservoir balloon with multiple compartments and a tube with multiple lumens.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce several novel features, including targeted delivery, adjustable flow rates, integrated sensors, and wearable devices, which collectively provide a significant improvement over the original patent. The inventive step lies in the combination of these features, which enables a more efficient, effective, and patient-centric approach to drug delivery.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include varying the number and configuration of lumens in the tube, using different types of sensors or microcontrollers, or incorporating additional features such as real-time monitoring or feedback mechanisms. Variations could also include adapting the system for use in different ocular conditions or diseases.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced lacrimal system has significant commercial potential in the ophthalmology and pharmaceutical industries, offering a more effective and efficient approach to treating ocular diseases and disorders. The system could be marketed as a premium product, targeting patients and physicians seeking advanced treatment options.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61F9/00772 |
| A | A61 | A61F9/0017 |
| A | A61 | A61M37/00 |
| A | A61 | A61M31/002 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering focused on drug delivery systems, specifically ophthalmological and lacrimal system interventions, requiring expertise in biomedical engineering, microfluidics, and medical device design
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced degree, experience in drug delivery technologies, understanding of microfluidic systems, sensor integration, and patient-centric medical device design
Obviousness Rationale
A person of ordinary skill would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core lacrimal drug delivery system, utilizing known techniques in sensor integration, flow control, and personalized medical technology to enhance the original device's functionality and patient experience.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,461 |
|---|---|
| Title | Lacrimal system for drug delivery |
| Assignee(s) | The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate |