Microporous ocular device

Claim 1

An ocular device for the controlled and continuous administration of a predetermined dosage of drug to the eye over a prolonged period of time comprising a body of a polymeric microporous drug release rate controlling material which is insoluble in tear fluid, the pores of which are filled with a liquid or gel medium permeable to the passage of drug by diffusion, the body containing a reservoir of drug formulation confined therein which is of limited solubility in the medium such that the passage of drug through the medium is less than its rate of clearance from the exterior of the body and being of a shape which is adapted for insertion and retention in the sac of the eye bounded by the surfaces of the bulbar conjunctiva of the sclera of the eyeball and the palpebral conjunctiva of the lid, the body continuously metering the flow of a therapeutically effective amount of drug to the eye and surrounding tissues over a prolonged period of time at a rate determined by the rate of diffusion of drug in the diffusive medium and wherein the body is a sealed container, the walls of which are formed from the microporous release rate controlling material and define an interior chamber distinct from the pores of said material, said chamber forming said reservoir.