Trans-sclera portal for delivery of therapeutic agents
View Patent ↗A portal through the sclera for delivery of an effective amount of therapeutic agent to the back of the eye.
1. An implantable trans-sclera portal for repeated injection of ophthalmic pharmaceutical treatments into an eye, comprising:
a shunt having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein the shunt is osmotic and a distance between the inner diameter and the outer diameter increases when the shunt is hydrated;
a first internal lumen within the shunt that provides a first conduit for repeated injections into the eye, the first internal lumen having a first diameter at a first end proximate to the outside of the eye, and a second diameter at a second end open to the inside of the eye, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter;
a partition wall within the internal lumen that is arranged, upon implantation of the shunt into the eye, to provide separation between the inside and outside of the eye; and
at least one of a healing agent, a catalyst, and a reactive agent included with the partition wall.
2. The trans-sclera portal of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the shunt is formed of a silicon elastomer.
3. The trans-sclera portal of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the shunt is coated with a therapeutic agent effective to prevent trans-scleral infection.
4. The trans-sclera portal of claim 3 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises silver ions or an antibiotic.
5. The trans-sclera portal of claim 1 , wherein the partition wall comprises a septum.
6. The trans-sclera portal of claim 5 , wherein the septum is self-healing.
7. The trans-sclera portal of claim 1 , wherein the partition wall comprises a biocompatible polymer plug that re-seals after each injection.
8. The trans-sclera portal of claim 1 , wherein the shunt is configured to provide the injected pharmaceutical to a posterior segment of the eye.
9. The trans-sclera portal of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the healing agent, the catalyst, and the reactive agent provide enhanced mechanical performance and resistance to degradation and oxidation.
10. The trans-sclera portal of claim 1 , wherein the second diameter is smaller than a gauge of a needle used to perform the repeated injections.
11. The trans-sclera portal of claim 1 , further comprising:
a biocompatible polymer plug having a complimentary shape to the first internal lumen.
12. The trans-sclera portal of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second internal lumen within the shunt that provides a second conduit for an outflow of liquids during an injection.
13. A method of treating a patient's eye, comprising:
surgically implanting in the eye a shunt, the shunt comprising:
an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein a distance between the inner diameter and the outer diameter increases when the shunt is hydrated,
a first internal lumen within the shunt, the first internal lumen having a first diameter at a first end proximate to the outside of the eye, and a second diameter that is open at a second end proximate to the inside of the eye, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter, and
a partition wall within the internal lumen that provides separation between the inside and outside of the eye;
injecting a dose of therapeutic agent into the eye by inserting a needle through the partition wall within the first lumen and into an interior of the eye and removing the needle; and
thereafter, injecting a second dose of therapeutic agent into the eye by inserting a needle through the partition wall within the first lumen and into the interior of the eye and removing the needle.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the partition wall comprises a resealable biocompatible polymer plug, further comprising re-sealing the plug after each injection.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the partition wall comprises a septum.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the septum is self-healing.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the shunt is configured to provide the injected therapeutic agent to a posterior segment of the eye.
18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising coating a surface of the shunt with a therapeutic agent effective to prevent trans-scleral infection prior to the surgical implantation.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the agent comprises silver ions or an antibiotic.
20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second diameter is smaller than a gauge of the needle.
21. The method of claim 13 , wherein the shunt further comprises:
a biocompatible polymer plug having a complimentary shape to the first internal lumen.
22. The method of claim 13 , wherein the lumen further includes a second internal lumen within the shunt.