Treatment Medium Delivery Device and Methods for Delivery of Such Treatment Mediums to the Eye Using such a Delivery Device

• US 20090118702A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mati Therapeutics, Inc
• Original Assignee: Forsight Labs, LLC
• Inventors: Lazar, Eliot
• Granted Patent: US 7,922,702 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/521
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00772 Apparatus for restoration of tear ducts

Abstract

Featured are devices for delivering a treatment medium to an eye as well as methods related thereto. Such devices and methods allow a desired amount of the treatment medium to be delivered in a controllable manner over a predetermined time period. In particular embodiments, the delivery device is configured and arranged so the treatment medium is eluted from one portion of the delivery device and so that another portion thereof is removably secured within a natural opening or orifice in or proximal to the eye. In specific embodiments the another portion is configured and arranged so as to be removably secured within the natural opening comprising at least one punctum of an eye.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a first portion configured for insertion into a punctum of a mammalian eye and retention by a lacrimal canaliculus of the eye; and

a second portion retained on the first portion, the second portion being configured for carrying a treatment medium and releasing the treatment medium to the eye.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a stent.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a cylindrical plug member.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a coil member.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first portion includes structure adapted to support the second portion.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second portions are shaped to occlude the punctum when the first portion is retained by the lacrimal canaliculus.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is shaped to rest upon the punctum when the first portion is retained by the lacrimal canaliculus.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second portion includes a coil shaped member, a zig-zag shaped member, a J shaped member or a C shaped member.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second portion includes sustained release means for releasing the treatment medium over a predetermined period of time.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the sustained release means comprises an encapsulating jacket defining at least one compartment for containing a treatment medium.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the jacket defines a plurality of compartments.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the jacket is formed of a biocompatible membrane allowing diffusion of a treatment medium through to the eye.

13. The device according to claim 10, wherein the jacket is formed of a biodegradable or bioerodable material.

14. The device according to claim 9, wherein the sustained release means comprises a permeable or semi-permeable coating applied to an end of the first portion.

15. A device comprising:

a first portion configured for insertion into a punctum of a mammalian eye and retention by a lacrimal canaliculus of the eye;

a second portion retained on the first portion; and

a treatment medium carried by the second portion, wherein the second portion releases the treatment medium to the eye.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the second portion includes sustained release means for releasing the treatment medium over a predetermined period of time.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the sustained release means comprises an encapsulating jacket defining at least one compartment for containing the treatment medium.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the treatment medium is immobilized in a biocompatible matrix.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the treatment medium is suspended in a liquid medium.

20. The device according to claim 17, wherein the jacket defines a plurality of compartments each containing a different treatment medium.

21. The device according to claim 17, wherein the jacket is formed of a biocompatible membrane allowing diffusion of a treatment medium through to the eye.

22. The device according to claim 17, wherein the jacket is formed of a biodegradable or bioerodable material.

23. The device according to claim 16, wherein the sustained release means comprises a biodegradable polymer containing microparticles of the treatment medium.

24. The device according to claim 16, wherein the sustained release means comprises a permeable or semi-permeable coating applied to an end of the first portion.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein the first portion includes a stent and wherein the coating is applied to an outer surface of the stent.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the stent has a lumen and the coating is further applied so as to occlude the lumen.

27. The device according to claim 15, wherein the treatment medium includes one or more of the following:

thrombin inhibitors;

antithrombogenic agents;

thrombolytic agents;

fibrinolytic agents;

vasospasm inhibitors;

calcium channel blockers;

vasodilators;

antihypertensive agents;

antimicrobial agents;

inhibitors of surface glycoprotein receptors;

antiplatelet agents;

antimitotics;

microtubule inhibitors;

anti-secretory agents;

active inhibitors;

remodeling inhibitors;

antisense nucleotides;

anti-metabolites;

antiproliferatives;

anticancer chemotherapeutic agents;

anti-inflammatories;

non-steroidal anti-inflammatories;

antiallergenics;

anti-proliferative agents;

decongestants;

miotics and anti-cholinesterase;

antineoplastics;

immunological drugs;

hormonal agents;

immunosuppressive agents;

growth hormone antagonists;

growth factors;

inhibitors of angiogenesis;

dopamine agonists;

radiotherapeutic agents;

peptides;

proteins;

enzymes;

extracellular matrix components;

ACE inhibitors;

free radical scavengers;

chelators;

antioxidants;

anti-polymerases;

photodynamic therapy agents;

gene therapy agents;

prostaglandins;

antiprostaglandins; and

prostaglandin precursors.

28. The device according to claim 15, wherein the treatment medium includes lubezole.

29. The device according to claim 15, wherein the treatment medium includes one or more of the following:

anecortave acetate, anti VEGF agents, and the active sites of anti VEGF agents.

30. The device according to claim 15, wherein the treatment medium includes fluticasone.

31. A method for treating an eye comprising the steps of:

providing a delivery device including a first portion, a second portion connected to the first portion, and a treatment medium carried by the second portion, wherein the second portion is configured to release the treatment medium to the eye; and

inserting the first portion of the delivery device into a punctum of the eye such that the first portion is retained by a lacrimal canaliculus of the eye and the second portion of the delivery device is adjacent to an external surface of the eye.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the delivery device occludes the punctum.