Patent ID: 7998497

Claim:
An implant for insertion into a punctum of a patient, the implant comprising: a drug core having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the drug core having a cross-section suitable for insertion into the punctum, the drug core comprising a therapeutic agent deliverable into an eye of the patient; a sheath disposed over a portion of the drug core to define at least one exposed surface of the drug core, the at least one exposed surface of the drug core located near the proximal end of the drug core to contact a tear or tear film fluid and release the therapeutic agent at a desired therapeutic level over a sustained period when the implant is implanted for use, wherein the sheath is substantially impermeable to the therapeutic agent; and an implant body at least partially surrounding the sheath and the drug core, the implant body comprising a retention structure having a size suitable to fit at least partially within a canalicular lumen to retain an implanted position of the implant.