OCULAR IMPLANT WITH THERAPEUTIC AGENTS AND METHODS THEREOF

• US 20140012177A1
• Filed: 12/17/2012
• Published: 01/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DOSE Medical Corporation (Glaukos Corporation)
• Original Assignee: DOSE Medical Corporation (Glaukos Corporation)
• Inventors: Tu, Hosheng, Niksch, Barbara A., Haffner, David S, Smedley, Gregory T, Bergheim, Olav B., Gharib, Morteza
• Granted Patent: US 9,066,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/258 Genetic materials, DNA, RNA, genes, vectors, e.g. plasmids
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/41 Anti-inflammatory agents, e.g. NSAIDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/414 Growth factors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/416 Anti-neoplastic or anti-proliferative or anti-restenosis or anti-angiogenic agents, e.g. paclitaxel, sirolimus
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/42 Anti-thrombotic agents, anticoagulants, anti-platelet agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/16 for reconstruction of eye parts, e.g. intraocular lens, cornea
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/54 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L27/227 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202

Abstract

Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are provided. One method involves introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye. The implant is implanted into eye tissue adjacent the anterior chamber such that a proximal end of the implant resides in the anterior chamber following implantation. A therapeutic agent is eluted from the implant into the eye. Desirably, the release of the therapeutic agent from the implant is controlled. The controlled release of the therapeutic agent can be at a chosen rate and/or for a selected duration which can be episodic or periodic. The therapeutic agent can be an antiproliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, or a compound for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Claims

1. A method of treating an ocular disorder, comprising:

introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye;

implanting the implant into eye tissue adjacent the anterior chamber such that a proximal end of the implant resides in the anterior chamber following implantation;

eluting a therapeutic agent from the implant into the eye; and

controlling release of the therapeutic agent from the implant.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling release comprises controlling release of the therapeutic agent at a chosen rate.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the chosen rate is episodic or periodic.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling release comprises controlling release of the therapeutic agent for a selected duration.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the selected duration is episodic or periodic.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling release comprises controlling release of the therapeutic agent at a chosen rate and for a selected duration.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the chosen rate and/or the selected duration are episodic or periodic.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein introducing an implant comprises introducing the implant into the anterior chamber such that at least a distal end of the implant is temporarily in the anterior chamber.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein eluting a therapeutic agent from the implant comprises eluting the therapeutic agent into at least one of the anterior chamber, a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye, and a space adjacent a choroid of the eye.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises an antiproliferative agent or an anti-inflammatory drug.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a compound for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is contained within the implant.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is coated on the implant.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye involves forming an incision in corneal tissue.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye involves forming an incision proximate a limbus of the eye.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye involves forming a self sealing incision.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein implanting the implant involves placing the implant in contact with a choroid of the eye.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant comprises at least one anchor.