Medical devices
View Patent ↗Medical devices comprising an anti-connexin agent suitable for introduction into a subject.
1. A method of preventing and/or treating inflammation, blood vessel leakage, and/or fibrosis associated with the use or implantation of medical device selected from an ophthalmic implant in a subject comprising introducing into the subject the medical device of which at least a portion comprises an anticonnexin 43 antisense compound releasable upon insertion of the medical device to or within a subject, wherein the inflammation, blood vessel leakage, and/or fibrosis is prevented, ameliorated and/or delayed.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic implant is a glaucoma shunt.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a mammal.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 antisense compound decreases connexin 43 protein expression.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 antisense compound is an oligodeoxynucleotide.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 antisense compound is a siRNA or RNAi oligonucleotide.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 antisense compound binds to connexin 43 mRNA.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin antisense compound binds to a connexin 43 hemichannel.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin antisense compound binds to a hemichannel extracellular loop.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin antisense compound is a polynucleotide having a sequence according to SEQ ID NO:1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin antisense compound is a polynucleotide having a sequence according to SEQ ID NO:2 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the medical device comprises an anti-connexin antisense compound.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the anti-connexin antisense compound is present at a weight percentage of about 0.0001% to about 30%.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the surface of the medical device contacts a target tissue within the subject upon use.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the release rate of the anti-connexin antisense compound is controlled.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical device provides for surface contact release of the anti-connexin antisense compound.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical device provides for the sustained release of the anti-connexin antisense compound.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical device provides for the slow release of the anti-connexin antisense compound.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a coating containing an anti-connexin antisense compound.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the coating comprises a polymer.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the coating comprises a plurality of layers of a polymer/anti-connexin antisense compound mixture.
23. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises at least one channel formed in an outer surface thereof, and wherein the anti-connexin antisense compound is included on and/or within at least one channel.
24. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the medical device is formed, in whole or in part, of a substance that includes the anti-connexin antisense compound.
25. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises one or more therapeutic agents.
26. The method of claim 1 or 2 , wherein inflammation is prevented or ameliorated.
27. The method of claim 1 or 2 , wherein blood vessel leakage is prevented or ameliorated.
28. The method of claim 1 or 2 , wherein fibrosis is prevented or ameliorated.
29. The method of claim 6 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide is chemically unmodified.
30. The method of claim 6 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide is chemically modified.