Method of implanting intraocular and intraorbital implantable devices for the controlled release of pharmacological agents
First Claim
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1. A method of implanting a device into an eye for the controlled release of intraocular and intraorbital pharmacological agents comprising:
- providing an implant having at least one pharmacological agent one of incorporated and encapsulated therewithin;
providing an inserter including a cannula having a first end and second end and a passage defined therethrough from said first end to said second end;
mounting a syringe to said first end of said cannula, said syringe including a plunger and a piston extending forwardly therefrom into said passage of said cannula;
mounting said implant within said passage forwardly of said piston whereby movement of said piston relative to said cannula ejects said implant from said cannula;
inserting said cannula into an incision in the eye; and
ejecting said implant from said cannula;
whereby said pharmacological agent is gradually released from said implant to the eye.
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Abstract
A series of implants for intraocular and/or intraorbital use are provided which permit the controlled release of pharmacological agents. The implants are substantial C-shaped rings and are insertable through incisions made in the eye wall or are sutured around the globe of the eye. The C-shaped rings may be formed from the biodegradable polymers so as to release a drug as the polymer biodegrades or the implant may be in the form of a hollow flexible polymeric cocoon with the drug disposed therewithin for slow release by osmosis.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of implanting a device into an eye for the controlled release of intraocular and intraorbital pharmacological agents comprising:
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providing an implant having at least one pharmacological agent one of incorporated and encapsulated therewithin; providing an inserter including a cannula having a first end and second end and a passage defined therethrough from said first end to said second end; mounting a syringe to said first end of said cannula, said syringe including a plunger and a piston extending forwardly therefrom into said passage of said cannula; mounting said implant within said passage forwardly of said piston whereby movement of said piston relative to said cannula ejects said implant from said cannula; inserting said cannula into an incision in the eye; and ejecting said implant from said cannula; whereby said pharmacological agent is gradually released from said implant to the eye. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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2. A method of implanting a device into an eye for the controlled release of intraocular and intraorbital pharmacological agents comprising:
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providing an inserter including a cannula having a first end and second end and a passage defined therethrough from said first end to said second end; mounting a syringe to said first end of said cannula, said syringe including a plunger and a piston extending forwardly therefrom into said passage of said cannula; mounting an implant within said passage forwardly of said piston whereby movement of said piston relative to said cannula ejects said implant from said cannula; inserting said cannula into an incision in the eye; and ejecting said implant from said cannula, the implant being inserted so as to be positioned intravitreally at the eye'"'"'s equator so as to release said pharmacological agent into the eye'"'"'s vitreous cavity.
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10. A method of implanting a device into an eye for the controlled release of intraocular and intraorbital pharmacological agents comprising:
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providing an inserter including a cannula having a first end and second end and a passage defined therethrough from said first end to said second end; mounting a syringe to said first end of said cannula, said syringe including a plunger and a piston extending forwardly therefrom into said passage of said cannula; mounting an implant within said passage forwardly of said piston whereby movement of said piston relative to said cannula ejects said implant from said cannula; inserting said cannula into an incision in the eye; and ejecting said implant from said cannula, the implant being disposed in surrounding relation to the exterior of the eye to provide therapeutic pharmacological agent release to orbital tissue, ocular muscles, sclera, and by diffusion into intraocular tissues. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method of controllably releasing intraocular and intraorbital pharmacological agents into an eye comprising:
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making an implantable device for the controlled intraocular and intraorbital release of pharmacological agents, including providing a biodegradable polymer having a drug incorporated therein and forming said polymer into a C-shaped ring, providing an inserter including a cannula having a first end and second end and a passage defined therethrough from said first end to said second end; mounting a syringe to said first end of said cannula, said syringe including a plunger and a piston extending forwardly therefrom into said passage of said cannula; mounting said C-shaped ring within said passage forwardly of said piston whereby movement of said piston relative to said cannula ejects said C-shaped ring from said cannula; inserting said cannula into an incision in the eye; and ejecting said implant from said cannula; whereby said pharmacological agent is gradually released from said implant to the eye. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of controllably releasing intraocular and intraorbital pharmacological agents into an eye comprising:
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forming an implantable device including forming a hollow flexible polymeric cocoon shaped as a C-ring and filling said polymeric cocoon with a pharmacological agent which is diffusible through the wall of said polymeric cocoon by osmosis; providing an inserter including a cannula having a first end and second end and a passage defined therethrough from said first end to said second end; mounting a syringe to said first end of said cannula;
said syringe including a plunger and a piston extending forwardly therefrom into said passage of said cannula;mounting said C-shaped ring within said passage forwardly of said piston whereby movement of said piston relative to said cannula ejects said C-shaped ring from said cannula; inserting said cannula into an incision in the eye; and ejecting said implant from said cannula; whereby said pharmacological agent is gradually released from said implant to the eye.
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Specification