Method for delivering drugs to tissue under microjet propulsion

• US 8,998,881 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2005
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Gilbert, Scott J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bosworth, Kami A
• Application Number:
  US11/200,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20070055214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,527 Days
• Field of Search: 604 68- 72, 604/289, 604/290, 604294-302, 604/521
• US Class Current: 604/521
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/587 Lighting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/59 Aesthetic features, e.g. distraction means to prevent fears of child patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/19 having more than one chamber , e.g. including a manifold coupling two parallelly aligned syringes through separate channels to a common discharge assembly surgical glue applicators A61B17/00491
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2046 Media being expelled from injector by gas generation, e.g. explosive charge
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2053 Media being expelled from injector by pressurised fluid or vacuum for infusion A61M5/145, A61M5/155
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/30 Syringes for injection by jet action, without needle, e.g. for use with replaceable ampoules or carpules
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3007 with specially designed jet passages at the injector's distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for delivering a drug into tissue includes the steps of: providing a drug delivery device having at least one nozzle and a drug contained in a portion of the device; identifying a site for delivery of the drug in or on tissue; placing a portion of the device on or near the site; and delivering the drug into the tissue at the site through at least one nozzle of the device under microjet propulsion.

Claims

1. A method for delivering a drug into tissue comprising the steps of:

providing a drug delivery device having at least one nozzle and a drug contained in a portion of the device;

identifying a site for delivery of the drug in the eye;

placing a portion of the device on or near the site; and

delivering the drug as a fine stream into the tissue at the site through the at least one nozzle of the device under needle-free microjet propulsion at a driving pressure from about 800 to about 2,000 psi such that the pressure of the drug leaving the nozzle is from about 4,000 to about 25,000 psi.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising using the device to treat diabetic retinopathy.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising using the device to treat macular degeneration.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising using the device to treat neovascularization of the eye.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising placing the portion of the device on or near a cavity and delivering the drug into the cavity.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the drug is delivered to an area of the eye outside of the pupil.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the drug is delivered to the sclera.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the drug is delivered to the vitreous.