Transretinal implant and method of manufacture

• US 20060270968A1
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cortigent Incorporated, Doheny Eye Institute
• Original Assignee: Doheny Eye Institute
• Inventors: Greenberg, Robert, Humayan, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 9,993,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/20
• 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: A61F 9/0026 Ophthalmic product dispenser attachments to facilitate positioning near the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/08 Devices or methods enabling eye-patients to replace direct visual perception by another kind of perception
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0543 Retinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/30 Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/303 Constructional details electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body

Abstract

The invention is a retinal implant device to stimulate a retina of an eye thereby producing a specific effect in an eye, such as 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 the stimulating electrical signal or drug. The connection passes transretinally through the retina and into the vitreous cavity of the eye, thereby minimizing damage to the nutrient-rich choroid. The lead is attached to a source of drugs or electrical energy, which is located outside the eye. The lead passes through the sclera at a point near the front of the eye to avoid damage to the retina.

Claims

1. A implantable device to deliver drugs to an eye, the eye having a retina, a sclera, and a vitreous cavity, said device comprising:

a retinal implant that is positioned subretinally for drug release;

said retinal implant comprising a drug delivery device connected with a drug reservoir;

at least one connection between said drug reservoir and said retinal implant, wherein said connection is suitable to pass transretinally into the vitreous cavity of the eye;

said connection being suitable to pass through the sclera at a point where there is no retina; and

said drug reservoir is located outside the eye.

2. The implantable device according to claim 1, wherein said implantable device delivers the drugs electrophoretically.

3. The implantable device according to claim 1, wherein said connection comprises a tube.

4. The implantable device according to claim 1, the retina additionally is comprised of a photoreceptor cell layer and a retinal pigment epithelium wherein said retinal implant that is positioned subretinally is suitable to be positioned between the photoreceptor cell layer and the retinal pigment epithelium.

5. An implantable device drug delivery device to deliver drugs for treatment to affect an eye, the eye having a retina, a sclera, and a vitreous cavity, said device comprising:

a retinal implant that is positioned subretinally;

said retinal implant comprising at least one orifice connected with a drug reservoir;

at least one delivery conduit connected with said drug reservoir and with said at least one orifice, wherein said delivery conduit is suitable to pass transretinally into the vitreous cavity of the eye;

said delivery conduit suitably designed to pass through the sclera at a point where there is no retina; and

said drug reservoir is suitable to be located outside the sclera.

6. The implantable device according to claim 5, wherein said retinal implant releases said drugs electrophoretically.

7. The implantable device according to claim 5, wherein said delivery conduit is a tube that transfers said drugs from said drug reservoir to said retinal implant.

8. The implantable device according to claim 5, wherein said drug is suitable to stimulate living tissue.

9. The implantable device according to claim 5, wherein said retinal implant that is positioned subretinally is suitable to be positioned between the photoreceptor cell layer and the retinal pigment epithelium.

10. The implantable device according to claim 5, wherein said implantable device comprises an electrophoretic drug delivery device.

11. The implantable device according to claim 5, wherein said retinal implant is configured to enable drug stimulation of a retina of an eye to produce artificial vision.