Apparatus and method for treatment of macular degeneration
First Claim
1. A minimally invasive therapeutic agent delivery system for treating macular degeneration, said system comprising:
- a reservoir comprising a therapeutic agent for dissolving lipid waste deposits in at least Bruch'"'"'s membrane;
an elongate probe, wherein said probe;
defines a passage therein;
is configured to conform at least in part to the curvature of the eye;
has a proximal probe end and a distal probe end including a distal probe opening;
a therapeutic agent delivery apparatus, said therapeutic agent delivery apparatus being;
fluidly connected to said reservoir;
configured to be disposed within said passage; and
movable between a retracted inoperative position within said probe and an extended operational position when said distal probe end is disposed adjacent the sclera of an eye suffering from macular degeneration wherein movement of said delivery apparatus from the inactive to the operational position enables the therapeutic agents to be dispensed from said reservoir through said distal probe opening into the eye for the treatment of macular degeneration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides apparatus and method for treating macular degeneration. An apparatus has a therapeutic agent delivery system that is placed into proximity of the sclera of an eye affected by macular degeneration. A therapeutic agent or agents is then delivered to the sclera either by injection or diffusion, with the therapeutic agent being provided for the dissolution of waste products in Bruch'"'"'s membrane. In a method a therapeutic agent delivery system is disposed in proximity of the sclera and one or more therapeutic agents are injected or diffused into the sclera to provide for the dissolution of waste products in Bruch'"'"'s membrane.
133 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A minimally invasive therapeutic agent delivery system for treating macular degeneration, said system comprising:
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a reservoir comprising a therapeutic agent for dissolving lipid waste deposits in at least Bruch'"'"'s membrane;
an elongate probe, wherein said probe;
defines a passage therein;
is configured to conform at least in part to the curvature of the eye;
has a proximal probe end and a distal probe end including a distal probe opening;
a therapeutic agent delivery apparatus, said therapeutic agent delivery apparatus being;
fluidly connected to said reservoir;
configured to be disposed within said passage; and
movable between a retracted inoperative position within said probe and an extended operational position when said distal probe end is disposed adjacent the sclera of an eye suffering from macular degeneration wherein movement of said delivery apparatus from the inactive to the operational position enables the therapeutic agents to be dispensed from said reservoir through said distal probe opening into the eye for the treatment of macular degeneration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for treating macular degeneration comprising:
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providing a reservoir of at least one therapeutic agent for dissolving lipids in Bruch'"'"'s membrane;
providing an elongate probe configured to engage the surface of the eye in the proximity of the optic nerve;
providing a therapeutic agent delivery apparatus for delivering the therapeutic agent to the sclera;
placing the elongate probe in position to deliver the therapeutic agent to the eye; and
delivering the therapeutic agent to the sclera. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification