Methods for improving damaged retinal cell function using physical and/or mechanical stimulation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of improving visual function of a damaged and/or degenerating retina in a human eye, the method comprising:
- applying at least one of a chronic physical and mechanical stimulation to the eye to improve or maintain visual function of the retina, wherein applying the at least one of the chronic physical and mechanical stimulation improves visual function of at least one structure of the damaged retina.
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Abstract
Methods of using physical stimulation by itself or in conjunction with growth factors to treat and prevent visual loss due to choroidal, retinal pigment epithelial and/or neuroretinal cell degeneration and dysfunction are presented.
29 Citations
53 Claims
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1. A method of improving visual function of a damaged and/or degenerating retina in a human eye, the method comprising:
applying at least one of a chronic physical and mechanical stimulation to the eye to improve or maintain visual function of the retina, wherein applying the at least one of the chronic physical and mechanical stimulation improves visual function of at least one structure of the damaged retina. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of treating visual degradation resulting from a damaged retina, wherein the visual degradation comprises primary or secondary degradation, the method comprising:
applying chronic physical stimulation to an eye containing the damaged retina. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of improving visual function in a damaged macula of a human eye, the method comprising:
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selecting at least one electrically inert device;
implanting the at least one electrically inert device in a subretinal space in the eye; and
wherein the device is positioned peripheral to the macula of the eye and in the subretinal space. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method of implanting an physically stimulating device in an eye of a patient having least one condition selected from the group consisting of outer neuroretina disease, choroidal disease and retinal epithelial disease, the method comprising:
implanting in a subretinal space in the eye of the patient at least one electrically inert device configured to contact a plurality of cells in the eye. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
- 46. Use of a source of physical stimulation for producing an implant for improving the visual function of a damaged retina in a human eye by applying chronic physical stimulation to the eye,
Specification