Methods for promoting healing of corneal resurfacing wounds

• US 6,541,028 B1
• Filed: 10/19/1999
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shire Regenerative Medicine Incorporated (Shire plc)
• Original Assignee: Celadon Science, LLC
• Inventors: Kuri-Harcuch, Walid, Munozledo, Federico Castro
• Primary Examiner(s): Page, Thurman K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOWARD, SHARON LEE
• Application Number:
  US09/341,733
• Time in Patent Office: 1,260 Days
• Field of Search: 424/443, 424/445, 424/444, 424/427
• US Class Current: 424/443
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/12 Materials from mammals; Compositions comprising non-specified tissues or cells; Compositions comprising non-embryonic stem cells; Genetically modified cells vaccines or medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/40 containing ingredients of undetermined constitution or reaction products thereof , e.g. plant or animal extracts
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/16 for reconstruction of eye parts, e.g. intraocular lens, cornea
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3813 Epithelial cells, e.g. keratinocytes, urothelial cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3839 characterised by the site of application in the body materials for artificial blood vessels A61L27/507; materials for use in artificial skin A61L27/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/005 Ingredients of undetermined constitution or reaction products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0621 Eye cells, e.g. cornea, iris pigmented cells photoreceptors C12N5/062
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0629 Keratinocytes; Whole skin

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for promoting healing of wounds which result from corneal resurfacing procedures, e.g. from laser surgery to alter refractive of the eye. The methods involve the application of a sheet of cultured epithelial cells to the laser corneal resurfacing wound of a subject in need of such treatment. The methods promote faster healing of corneal resurfacing wounds relative to prior art methods of healing such wounds. The invention also provides corneal wound healing devices having the shape and dimensions of a contact lens.

Claims

1. A method for promoting healing of a laser corneal resurfacing wound comprising applying to the laser corneal resurfacing wound of a subject in need of such treatment a sheet of cultured epithelial cells, wherein the cells are allogeneic or xenogeneic to the subject.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sheet of cultured epithelial cells substantially covers the wound.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sheet of cultured epithelial cells consists essentially of epidermal keratinocytes or corneal keratinocytes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sheet of cultured epithelial cells is a preserved sheet of cultured epithelial cells.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the preserved sheet of cultured epithelial cells is dried.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the sheet of cultured epithelial cells is applied to the wound on a substratum.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the sheet of cultured epithelial cells is applied to the wound on a backing.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the backing is in the shape of a contact lens.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising covering the sheet of cultured epithelial cells, after application to the wound, with a dressing.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the cultured epithelial cells are attached to a substratum or mixed with a gel.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the substratum is selected from the group consisting of microbeads, hyaluronic acid, collagen, fibrin glue and polymers.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the laser corneal resurfacing wound results from a laser eye surgical procedure selected from the group consisting of PRK and LASIK.

13. A method for promoting healing of a corneal wound comprising applying to the corneal wound of a subject in need of such treatment a sheet of cultured epithelial cells.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the corneal wound is a trophic ulcer.

15. A corneal wound healing device comprising a substrate having the shape and dimensions of a contact lens, and defining an inner concave surface and cultured epithelial cells attached to the inner concave surface.

16. The corneal wound healing device of claim 15, wherein the cultured epithelial cells are attached as a sheet.