269 results about "Ocular tissue" patented technology

Methods and devices are provided for administering a drug to a patient's eye. The methods include (a) inserting a hollow microneedle into the sclera or corneal stroma without penetrating across the sclera or corneal stroma; and (b) infusing a fluid drug formulation through the microneedle and into the sclera or cornea. It further may include partially retracting the microneedle before infusion to enhance delivery. Alternatively, the methods may include (a) inserting a solid microneedle into the sclera or corneal stroma without penetrating across the sclera or corneal stroma, wherein the solid microneedle comprises a first quantity of a drug formulation and inserting causes the solid microneedle to form a pocket in the sclera or corneal stroma; and (b) releasing the drug formulation into the pocket to form a drug depot, whereby a drug is released from the depot. The methods and devices may include an array of multiple microneedles.

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, a method and system for making physical modifications to intraocular targets is disclosed. In varying embodiments, the method and system disclosed herein provide many advantages over the current standard of care. Specifically, linear absorption facilitated photodecomposition and linear absorption facilitated plasma generation to modify intraocular tissues and synthetic intraocular lenses.

This invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing delivery of drugs and other agents across epithelial tissues, including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, pulmonary epithelium, ocular tissues and the like. The compositions and methods are also useful for delivery across endothelial tissues, including the blood brain barrier. The compositions and methods employ a delivery enhancing transporter that has sufficient guanidino or amidino sidechain moieties to enhance delivery of a compound conjugated to the reagent across one or more layers of the tissue, compared to the non-conjugated compound. The delivery-enhancing polymers include, for example, poly-arginine molecules that are preferably between about 6 and 25 residues in length.

Transcorneal and fiberoptic laser delivery systems and methods for the treatment of eye diseases wherein energy is delivered by wavelengths transparent to the cornea to effect target tissues in the eye for the control of intraocular pressure in diseases such as glaucoma by delivery systems both external to and within ocular tissues. External delivery may be effected under gonioscopic control. Internal delivery may he controlled endoscopically or fiberoptically, both systems utilizing femtosecond laser energy to excise ocular tissue. The femtosecond light energy is delivered to the target tissues to be treated to effect precisely controlled photodisruption to enable portals for the outflow of aqueous fluid in the case of glaucoma in a manner which minimizes target tissue healing responses, inflammation and scarring.

Methods and devices are provided for administering a drug to a patient's eye. The methods include (a) inserting a hollow microneedle into the sclera or corneal stroma without penetrating across the sclera or corneal stroma; and (b) infusing a fluid drug formulation through the microneedle and into the sclera or cornea. It further may include partially retracting the microneedle before infusion to enhance delivery. Alternatively, the methods may include (a) inserting a solid microneedle into the sclera or corneal stroma without penetrating across the sclera or corneal stroma, wherein the solid microneedle comprises a first quantity of a drug formulation and inserting causes the solid microneedle to form a pocket in the sclera or corneal stroma; and (b) releasing the drug formulation into the pocket to form a drug depot, whereby a drug is released from the depot. The methods and devices may include an array of multiple microneedles.

Devices, systems and techniques for delivering drugs to an ocular tissue are described. In at least some embodiments, a terminal component (e.g., a needle or open end of a catheter) is implanted in an ocular tissue and used to deliver one or more drugs. The delivered drugs may come from a source which is also implanted, or may be introduced from an external source (e.g., via a port). Both solid and liquid drug formulations can be used. Ocular implants can alternatively include a thin film coating that releases a drug into an ocular tissue.

The present invention provides chemical entities or compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that are capable of modulating signal transduction by certain protein kinases such as mTor, tyrosine kinases, and / or lipid kinases such as PB kinase in an ocular tissue. Also provided in the present invention are methods of using these compositions to modulate activities of one or more of these kinases, especially for therapeutic applications.

Equi-dosed time-fractionated pulsed UVA is employed to irradiate a class of riboflavin / collagen mixture in the presence of copious oxygen to cause rapid crosslinking causing gelation of the riboflavin / collagen mixture in situ and to effect adhesion to underlying structure specifically ocular tissue such as scleral and corneal tissue. Irradiation according to an embodiment of the invention results in depletion of dissolved oxygen at a rate inversely related to irradiance and more particularly depletion of dissolved oxygen occurs rapidly during the process of generation / cross-linking of reactive oxygen species (ROS), specifically singlet oxygen, such that the pulsed fractionation of UVA radiation exposure increases cross-linking efficiency by allowing the re-diffusion of oxygen during pauses in exposure.

Devices and methods for treating intraocular pressure are disclosed. The devices include drug delivery implants for treating ocular tissue. Optionally, the devices also include shunts for draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the uveoscleral outflow pathway, including the supraciliary space and the suprachoroidal space. The drug delivery implants can be implanted in ab interno or ab externo procedures.

An artificial cornea comprising an optical element made of an optically transparent material, having a front surface and a posterior surface, and a skirt provided so as to support with surrounding at least a part of the optical element, characterized in that the skirt is provided with a flange on its side facing the interior of eyes during implantation of the artificial cornea and the flange radially protrudes outward from the skirt. The artificial cornea can be well compatible with ocular tissue, prevent leakage of intraocular aqueous humor and intraocular invasion of bacteria, reduce stimulation on palpebral conjunctiva and further, inhibit progression of the down growth, and which has no possibility of reduction in transparency of the optical element due to the down growth as well as detachment and extrusion from the implanted state.

A system for accurately delivering bilateral simultaneous equi-dosed time-fractionated pulsed UVA to irradiate a class of riboflavin / collagen mixture in the presence of oxygen for treatment of ocular tissue such as scleral and corneal tissue. The system employs ocular trial frames for mounting on the face that are fitted with 1) a nozzle for introducing Riboflavin in solution to collagen on the surface of the ocular tissue, 2) a port for introducing oxygen-rich gas to the ocular tissue, and 3) a pair of optical collimator inserts mounted in the lens holders, wherein the collimator inserts have a mask in the optical path at an aperture on focal point to control the pattern of UVA radiation at the ocular target, the collimator inserts further having optical input ports coupled to a controlled source of UVA radiation that is operative in accordance with the related inventive method.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting unwanted angiogenesis, particularly those of ocular tissues. The treatment, inhibition, and / or prevention of choroidal neovasculature (CNV) is provided, along with an animal model for CNV and imaging techniques that permit the screening of potential agents as anti-angiogenesis and anti-CNV agents.

Variable focus lens assembly, including a first lens group with positive optical power, a second lens group with positive optical power, and an adjuster structured to be capable of adjusting a separation between the first lens group and the second lens group. The variable focus lens assembly has a numerical aperture greater than about 0.65. A variable focus lens assembly includes a first lens group that is moveable on an axis, the first lens group being well-corrected and having a numerical aperture of at least about 0.20, and a second, fixed lens group sharing the axis of the first lens group. A distance between the first lens group and the second lens group may be varied over a range. The variable focus lens assembly has a spot size which is diffraction limited over the range of distance separating the first lens group and the second lens group. The variable focus lens assembly has a numerical aperture of at least about 0.65. Methods for examining or treating one of a transparent and a semi-transparent object with a variable focus lens assembly.

The disclosure concerns altering the mechanical and / or chemical property of a body tissue, particularly an ocular tissue. In specific cases, it concerns altering or stabilizing the shape of the cornea, such as in a subject suffering or at risk for ectasia or keratoconus. In other specific cases, it concerns strengthening the sclera in a subject suffering or at risk for myopia. The invention employs light irradiation of a photoactivatable compound, such as one that applies crosslinking to the tissue, for example.

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.

Excitation and radiation techniques and apparatus for performing customized elasto-modulation of ocular tissue in an annular region around the cornea, such as for the purpose of ciliary translocation (ACT) or promotion of aqueous outflow to relieve ocular pressure are provided utilizing a transconjunctival incisionless scleral treatment. Laser radiation is for example applied to scleral tissue to decrease zonular slack, or alter equatorial offsets between lens and ciliary muscles as a treatment for presbyopia by way of example.

An apparatus and a method are provided for treating a targeted area of ocular tissue in a tissue-sparing manner comprising use of two or more therapeutic modalities, including thermal radiation source (such as an CW infrared fiber laser), operative in a wavelength range that has a high absorption in water, and photochemical collagen cross-linking (CXL), together with one or more specific system improvements, such as peri-operative feedback measurements for tailoring of the therapeutic modalities, an ocular tissue surface thermal control / cooling mechanism and a source of deuterated water / riboflavin solution in a delivery system targeting ocular tissue in the presence of the ultraviolet radiation. Additional methods of rapid cross-linking (RXL), are provided that further enables cross-linking (CXL) therapy to be combined with thermal therapy.

A method for making, storing and using a surgical graft from equine amniotic membrane in veterinary ophthalmology. The amniotic membrane is obtained from equine placenta, from which the chorion has been separated. Sheets of the amniotic membrane are cut to size and mounted on filter paper. The cells of the amniotic membrane are killed, preferably while being frozen and thawed in the storage solution. The equine amniotic membrane can be used in a variety of ocular surgeries in horses but also other species such as food animals, dogs and cats. It represents a strong biomaterial that will give a good physical support to the ocular tissues while inducing a minimal amount of scarring which is primordial in ocular surgeries in order to obtain the best visual outcome.

An ophthalmic phototherapy device and associated phototherapy treatment method for promoting healing of damaged or diseased eye tissue. The ophthalmic phototherapy device includes a light emitting mechanism for transmitting light of at least one preselected wavelength to the eye tissue. The ophthalmic phototherapy method includes directing light of at least one wavelength for a selected period of time to a portion of damaged or diseased eye tissue, whereby the light transmitted to the damaged or diseased eye tissue stimulates cellular activity in the eye tissue to promote healing.

The disclosure concerns altering the mechanical and / or chemical property of a body tissue, particularly an ocular tissue. In specific cases, it concerns altering or stabilizing the shape of the cornea, such as in a subject suffering or at risk for ectasia or keratoconus. In other specific cases, it concerns strengthening the sclera in a subject suffering or at risk for myopia. The invention employs light irradiation of a photoactivatable compound, such as one that applies crosslinking to the tissue, for example.

An ophthalmological laser system for photodisruptive irradiation of ocular tissue, including a crystalline lens or a cornea. The system includes an ultra-short pulse laser, the radiation of which is focusable as illumination light via an illumination beam path including a scanner unit and focusing optics. A control unit is programmed to execute determining irradiation control data for photodisruptions at irradiation points in an interior of the ocular tissue distributed three-dimensionally and non-equidistantly to create at least one predetermined target incision. The laser system then irradiates the ocular tissue according to the determined irradiation control data.

A system and method for determining volume-related parameters of a biological tissue, such as ocular tissue, include a light source for projecting light towards the biological tissue, a receiver for receiving light reflected from the biological tissue at two spectral wavelengths, and an image acquisition system in communication with the receiver for forming an image from the reflected light at each wavelength. A processor applies a mathematical model to the image which compares the absorption of light by the biological tissue at a selected image point at each of the two spectral wavelengths to determine the volume-related parameters, such as the relative thickness and material properties, of the biological tissue at that location.

The present invention relates to compositions of microspheres suitable for application to ocular injuries and inflammation, and to methods of use of the compositions alone or in combination with other agents in the prevention and treatment of ocular injuries and inflammation. The compositions, which increase the rate of healing, can be used to treat injuries and inflammation, including but not limited to those caused by foreign bodies, infections, burns, lesions, lacerations, ischemia, injuries from blunt trauma, traumatic hyphema, sympathetic ophthalmia, injuries from radiant energy, cataracts, corneal erosions or optic nerve injuries, and in procedures such as post-trabeculectomy (filtering surgery), post pterygium surgery; post ocular adnexa trauma and surgery, post intraocular surgery, post vitrectomy, post retinal detachment or post retinotomylectomy.

A multi-sleeve handpiece for performing phacoemulsification with a vibratory, ported needle and for cooling an exterior of an incision. The vibratory, ported needle breaks up and aspirates broken eye tissue. The handpiece has at least one inner sleeve that guides irrigation fluid to the eye and / or reduces friction between the vibrating tool and the surrounding rigid sleeve or tissues. The handpiece has an outer, cooling sleeve that is concentric with the inner sleeve and the needle and whose distal end has peak and valley formations. The cooling sleeve is collapsible to engage incision tissue with the peak formations and allow the cooling fluid to flow across the valley formations to cool the tissue via heat transfer.

Contact lens wetting solutions for reducing friction between the contact lens and ocular tissues, and maintaining such effect for a long time, are disclosed. The wetting solution is composed only of a particular ratio of a lubricant composed of copolymer (A) obtained by polymerizing a monomer composition comprising 2-(meth)acryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine and alkyl(meth)acrylate, a buffer, an inorganic chloride, a preservative, a chelating agent, and water. The copolymer (A) has a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 to 1,000,000, and satisfies the formula 80≦N×R≦240, provided that 4≦N≦18 and 10%≦R≦60%, wherein N stands for the carbon number of the alkyl group in monomer Y constituting copolymer (A), and R stands for a molar fraction of the unit derived from monomer Y with respect to the sum of the units derived from monomers X and Y.

An apparatus for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to an ocular tissue of a subject includes at least one electrode, a medicament layer including the at least one therapeutic agent, an electrical signal source, and logic configured to control the electrical signal source. The at least one electrode has oppositely disposed, dome-shaped first and second major surfaces. The first major surface is curved such that the first major surface substantially conforms to the contour of the ocular tissue when placed in contact with the ocular tissue. The medicament layer is disposed on at least a portion of the second major surface. The electrical signal source provides a signal having certain characteristics and is electrically connected to the at least one electrode. The certain characteristics comprise at least one orienting frequency and at least one motivating frequency sufficient to motivate the at least one therapeutic agent into the ocular tissue.

An ophthalmological apparatus (1) for breakdown of eye tissue includes a base station (2) with a light source (21) for generating light pulses and a support arm (3), with an application head (4) that can be placed onto an eye (6) mounted on the base station (2). The light pulses are transmitted from the base station (2) to the application head (4) through an optical transmission system (22). The application head (4) has a light projector (41) for focused projection of the light pulses for punctiform breakdown of eye tissue. The support arm (3) is of rigid design and, at one end, has a hinge (Rz) with a horizontally oriented rotation axis (rz), the hinge (Rz) being mounted in such a way that the application head (4) can be placed onto the eye (6) with a rotation (zrot) extending about the rotation axis (rz).