Transretinal implant and method of manufacture
First Claim
1. An implantable device to deliver drugs to an eye, the eye having a retina, a sclera, a fovea, and a vitreous cavity, the implantable device comprising:
- a retinal implant that is configured to be implanted subretinally under the fovea for drug release, including a drug delivery device;
a drug reservoir, configured to be on an external surface of the sclera; and
at least one delivery conduit between the drug reservoir and the retinal implant, wherein the at least one delivery conduit is configured to be implanted passing transretinally through a reverse curve into the vitreous cavity of the eye, passing through the sclera at a pars plana, a point where there is no retina, and be attached to the drug reservoir while the drug reservoir is located on the sclera within a body, outside the eye, wherein the implantable device is configured to transfer the drugs from the drug reservoir while the drug reservoir is located on the sclera.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a retinal implant device to stimulate a retina of an eye thereby producing a specific effect in the eye, such as a vision or drug treatment of a chronic condition. The retinal device is made of a retinal implant that is positioned subretinally and that contains a multitude of stimulation sites that are in contact with the retina. A connection carries a stimulating electrical signal or a drug. The connection passes transretinally through the retina and into a vitreous cavity of the eye, thereby minimizing damage to a nutrient-rich choroid. A lead is attached to a source of drugs or electrical energy, which is located outside the eye. The lead passes through a sclera at a point near a front of the eye to avoid damage to the retina.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An implantable device to deliver drugs to an eye, the eye having a retina, a sclera, a fovea, and a vitreous cavity, the implantable device comprising:
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a retinal implant that is configured to be implanted subretinally under the fovea for drug release, including a drug delivery device; a drug reservoir, configured to be on an external surface of the sclera; and at least one delivery conduit between the drug reservoir and the retinal implant, wherein the at least one delivery conduit is configured to be implanted passing transretinally through a reverse curve into the vitreous cavity of the eye, passing through the sclera at a pars plana, a point where there is no retina, and be attached to the drug reservoir while the drug reservoir is located on the sclera within a body, outside the eye, wherein the implantable device is configured to transfer the drugs from the drug reservoir while the drug reservoir is located on the sclera. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An implantable drug delivery device to deliver drugs for treatment to affect an eye, the eye having a retina, a sclera, a fovea, and a vitreous cavity, the implantable drug delivery device comprising:
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a retinal implant that is configured to be implanted subretinally under the fovea to treat a chronic condition, the retinal implant comprising a plurality of orifices; a drug reservoir, configured to be on an external surface of the sclera; and at least one delivery conduit connected with the drug reservoir and with the plurality of orifices, wherein the at least one delivery conduit is configured to be implanted passing transretinally through a reverse curve into the vitreous cavity of the eye, passing through the sclera at a pars plana, a point where there is no retina, and be attached to the drug reservoir while the drug reservoir is located on the sclera within a body and outside the sclera, wherein the implantable device is configured to transfer the drugs from the drug reservoir while the drug reservoir is on the external surface of the sclera. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification