Methods and devices for drug delivery to ocular tissue using microneedle

• US 9,788,995 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2013
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emory University, Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Original Assignee: Emory University, Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Inventors: Prausnitz, Mark R., Edelhauser, Henry F., Patel, Samirkumar Rajnikant
• Primary Examiner(s): Price, Nathan R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zamory, Justin L
• Application Number:
  US14/136,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20140107566A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0008 Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0023 Drug applicators using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/02 Ophthalmic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/06 Antiglaucoma agents or miotics

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for targeted administration of a drug to a patient'"'"'s eye. In one embodiment, the method includes inserting a hollow microneedle into the sclera of the eye at an insertion site and infusing a fluid drug formulation through the inserted microneedle and into the suprachoroidal space of the eye, wherein the infused fluid drug formulation flows within the suprachoroidal space away from the insertion site during the infusion. The fluid drug formulation may flow circumferentially toward the retinochoroidal tissue, macula, and optic nerve in the posterior segment of the eye.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

inserting a microneedle into a suprachoroidal space of an eye at an insertion site without the microneedle penetrating through the choroid, the microneedle comprising a drug formulation which comprises a drug; and

forming a drug depot at the insertion site in the suprachoroidal space for controlled release of the drug to an ocular tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the drug formulation is in the form of a coating on the microneedle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the coating dissolves or detaches from the microneedle upon insertion into the suprachoroidal space.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the drug depot comprises microparticles or nanoparticles, the microparticles or nanoparticles comprising the drug.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the drug is an anti-inflammatory drug.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the insertion site is at about an equator of the eye or between the equator and a limbus of the eye.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the inserting the microneedle into the suprachoroidal space of the eye includes inserting the microneedle through a sclera of the eye at an angle of about 90 degrees.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the microneedle is a solid microneedle.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the microneedle is a hollow microneedle.