Intraocular Drug Delivery Device and Associated Methods

• US 20110282328A1
• Filed: 11/12/2010
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Original Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Inventors: Gale, Bruce K., Ambati, Balamurali K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,663,194 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/892.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/02 Ophthalmic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/06 Antiglaucoma agents or miotics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/06 Immunosuppressants, e.g. drugs for graft rejection
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing

Abstract

The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods for delivery of an active agent into the eye of a subject. In one aspect, for example, an ocular active agent delivery device (10) can include an active agent reservoir (14) disposed in an annular housing (12), the annular housing (12) being configured to fit inside of a lens capsule and at least partially encircling a line of sight of an intraocular lens within the lens capsule. The device (10) can further include a semipermeable membrane (16) operatively coupled to the active agent reservoir (14), where the semipermeable membrane (16) is configured to allow diffusion of an active agent from the active agent reservoir (14). Additionally, a valve (18) can be operatively coupled to the active agent reservoir (14), where the valve (18) is configured to allow filling of the active agent reservoir (14) with an active agent.

Claims

1. An ocular active agent delivery device, comprising:

an active agent reservoir disposed in an annular housing, said annular housing being configured to fit inside of a lens capsule and at least partially encircling a line of sight of an intraocular lens within the lens capsule;

a semipermeable membrane operatively coupled to the active agent reservoir, said semipermeable membrane being configured to allow diffusion of an active agent from the active agent reservoir over an extended period of time; and

a valve operatively coupled to the active agent reservoir, said valve being configured to allow filling of the active agent reservoir with an active agent.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the active agent reservoir contains at least one active agent.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the active agent reservoir contains an active agent matrix;

the matrix together with the semipermeable membrane enable sustained release and stability of the active agent over the extended period of time.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one secondary active agent reservoir disposed within the annular housing.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one secondary active agent reservoir contains at least one active agent.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising an osmotic pump operatively coupled to the active agent reservoir, said osmotic pump being configured to facilitate delivery of an active agent from the active agent reservoir.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the annular housing forms an incomplete circle.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve is a resealable elastomeric material.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising an intraocular lens.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the annular housing is coupled to the intraocular lens.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the active agent reservoir comprises a biodegradable material.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein active agent delivery device further includes coatings or is formed of materials which inhibit capsular fibrosis or opacification.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a biosensor configured to detect at least one of levels of drug within the device to indicate need for refill, intraocular pressure, and intraocular markers of disease.

14. A method of delivering an active agent into an eye of a subject, comprising:

performing a cataract removal surgery on the eye of the subject, further including;

removing an existing lens from the eye of the subject;

inserting an intraocular lens into the eye of the subject; and

associating the device of claim 1 with the intraocular lens such that the annular housing at least partially encircles a line of sight of the intraocular lens.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising associating the annular housing with the intraocular lens prior to inserting the intraocular lens into the eye.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein associating the annular housing with the intraocular lens further includes coupling the annular housing to the intraocular lens.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising associating the annular housing with the intraocular lens following inserting the intraocular lens into the eye.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising orienting the valve with respect to the eye to allow external access for filling the active agent reservoir through an edge of the cornea anterior segment of the eye.

19. A method of treating an eye condition, comprising administering an active agent to the eye using the device of claim 1 by associating the device with an intraocular lens of the eye such that the annular housing at least partially encircles a line of sight of the intraocular lens;

and filling the active agent reservoir with the active agent.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the eye condition is at least one of AMD, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, Retinopathy of Prematurity, uveitis, corneal transplant rejection, capsular fibrosis, posterior capsule opacification, retinal vein occlusions, and infection.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the active agent includes at least one of Avastin, Timolol, Latanoprost, Brimonidine, Nepafenac, Lucentis, antibiotic, prednisolone, fluocinolide, anti-VEGF aptamers, anti-VEGF Fab fragments, and integrin antagonists.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the filling the active agent reservoir occurs after associating the device with the intraocular lens.