Drug delivery devices and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9549846-B2
Application number	US-201514809827-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 27, 2015
Priority date	Dec 23, 2009
Publication date	Jan 24, 2017
Grant date	Jan 24, 2017

Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for use in treating eye conditions with implantable drug delivery devices. One method includes introducing an implant into the suprachoroidal space, wherein the interior volume of the implant is plugged with a drug-release material comprising at least one active agent that elutes through at least one opening in the implant, wherein the drug-release material degrades from the interior volume of the implant over a period time.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of implanting an ocular implant for treating an ocular disorder of an eye, comprising:
forming a self-sealing incision in the cornea of the eye into the anterior chamber of the eye;
introducing an implant through the incision in an eye into the anterior chamber of the eye, the implant comprising:
a proximal end with at least one inflow port;
a distal end with at least one outflow port; and
an internal lumen extending through the implant between the at least one inflow port and at least one outflow port,
wherein the implant is mounted on an implantation instrument having a delivery wire extending through the internal lumen of the implant;

using the delivery wire to position the implant in the eye between a first and second tissue layer in fluid communication with the suprachoroidal space;
withdrawing the delivery wire from the internal lumen of the implant; and
injecting drug-release material through the delivery wire as the delivery wire is being withdrawn from the internal lumen of the implant filling the internal lumen of the implant with the drug-release material;
creating a lake of the drug-release material near the distal end of the implant; and
eluting an active agent from the drug-release material to treat the eye as the drug-release material degrades, wherein the space is maintained after the lake of drug-release material degrades.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising preventing fluid flow through the internal lumen of the implant with the drug-release material.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the drug-release material is configured to degrade over a period of time from the internal lumen of the implant.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the period of time is selected from the group consisting of at least 12 hours, at least 24 hours, at least 3 days, at least 14 days, at least 30 days, at least 120 days, and at least one year.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising creating a flow pathway through the internal lumen of the implant between the at least one inflow port and the at least one outflow port upon degradation of the drug-release material over the period of time.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising positioning the distal end of the implant between a first and second tissue layer and into fluid communication with the suprachoroidal space.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising releasing the implant from the delivery wire.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising conducting aqueous humour through the flow pathway from the anterior chamber into the suprachoroidal space.

9. The method of claim 3 , wherein the drug-release material is impregnated with at least one therapeutic agent.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one therapeutic agent is released over the period of time.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the drug-release material comprises nanostructures facilitating zero order kinetic release of the at least one therapeutic agent.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the drug-release material is a biodegradable polymer, including a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid).

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein injecting drug-release material through the delivery wire comprises injecting drug-release material through a bore in the delivery wire.

Assignees

• Transcend Medical Inc
• Novartis Ag

Inventors

• Clauson Luke
• Silvestrini Thomas A
• Ianchulev Tsontcho
• John Steven

Classifications

• A61M27/002

  Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another (intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202) · CPC title

• A61P27/02

  Ophthalmic agents · CPC title

• A61K9/0024

  Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue (compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L) · CPC title

• A61M2210/0606

  Face · CPC title

• A61K47/30

  Macromolecular organic or inorganic compounds, e.g. inorganic polyphosphates · CPC title