Microneedle for injection of ocular blood vessels

• US 5,364,374 A
• Filed: 09/24/1993
• Issued: 11/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: State of Oregon
• Original Assignee: State of Oregon
• Inventors: Moore, Chester G., Morrison, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRING, NOELLE K
• Application Number:
  US08/126,683
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 604/51, 604/52, 604/187, 604/239, 604/240, 604/243, 604/264, 604/294, 604/53, 604/164, 604/257, 604/272, 604/280, 604/177
• US Class Current: 604/272
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0042 Microcatheters, cannula or the like having outside diameters around 1 mm or less
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0089 Single injection needle protruding axially, i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the catheter, from the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• 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: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/32 Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub infusion needles A61M5/158; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body A61M5/42, A61M5/46 take precedence; guide needles for catheters A61M25/065; Devices for protection of needles apparatus specially adapted for cleaning or sterilising needles A61M5/001

Abstract

This invention is a device for microvascular injection and a method for treating glaucoma using the device. The device comprises a reservoir attached to a blunted needle connected to a flexible tapered tubing, at the end of which is positioned a microneedle or micropipette for inserting into small blood vessels. The invention also provides a method for treating glaucoma and other diseases wherein microinjection of disease-ameliorating drugs into small blood vessels and their capillary beds would be therapeutically effective.

Claims

1. A device for microvascular injection of a solution into a small blood vessel in vivo, comprising in combination:

a) a reservoir comprising a syringe and a hypodermic needle;

b) a flexible tubing having a continuously tapered bore and a first end and a second end, the first end of the flexible tubing being operatively linked to the hypodermic needle, wherein the bore of the flexible tubing is at least about 300 microns in inner diameter at the first end and is sufficient to fit over the hypodermic needle; and

c) a microneedle having a length of about 1 to about 5 millimeters and an outer diameter of about 20 microns to about 100 microns, and a first end and a second end, the first end of the microneedle being operatively linked to the second end of the flexible tubing, wherein the bore of the flexible tubing is from about 20 microns to about 100 microns in width at said second end and is sufficient to fit over the first end of the microneedle, wherein the microneedle is further characterized by having sides that are not tapered.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the second end of the microneedle is beveled.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the hypodermic needle is blunted.

4. A device according to claim 1 having rigid spherical gripping means surrounding the tapered bore of the second end of the flexible tubing.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the rigid spherical gripping means comprises a bead of glue.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the syringe has a volume of 1 to 2 cubic centimeters.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein the flexible tubing is constructed of polyethylene plastic.

8. A device according to claim 1 in which the syringe contains an intraocular pressure lowering agent.

9. A device according to claim 1 in which the syringe contains an antibacterial agent.

10. A device according to claim 1 in which the syringe contains an anti-inflammatory agent.

11. A device according to claim 1 in which the syringe contains an anti-cancer agent.