DEVICE FOR OCULAR ACCESS
The present invention provides devices to access the suprachoroidal space or sub-retinal space in an eye via a minimally invasive transconjunctival approach. The devices may also be used after a partial dissection, for example after dissection of the outer scleral layer of the eye, and using the device within the dissection to access the suprachoroidal space or the sub-retinal space.
1 - 8 . (canceled)
9 . An apparatus, comprising:
a body defining a passageway configured to receive a needle therethrough,
the needle coupled to the body, disposed within the passageway of the body, and configured to define a delivery passageway within a target tissue through which a substance can be conveyed to a target region of the target tissue; and
a needle adjustment member coupled to the body and configured to (1) lock the needle in a first position relative to a distal end surface of the body when the needle adjustment member is in a first configuration, and (2) lock the needle in a second position relative to the distal end surface of the body when the needle adjustment member is in a second configuration,
the distal end surface of the body configured to contact a target surface of the target tissue when a distal end of the needle is disposed within the target region of the target tissue and the adjustment member is in the first configuration such that the substance can be conveyed through the needle to the target region.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein:
the target tissue is an eye, the target surface is a conjunctiva of the eye, and the target region is a suprachoroidal or subretinal space of the eye.
11 . The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising:
a pressure transducer operably coupled to the needle and configured to measure a pressure associated with and during a conveyance of the substance from the needle to the target region.
12 . The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising:
a luer connector, the luer connector configured to be coupled to a syringe containing the substance.
13 . The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising:
a syringe containing the substance and removably coupled to the body such that activation of the syringe results in conveyance of the substance from the syringe to the target region via the needle.
14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:
a spring disposed within the body and configured to, when actuated, place the syringe in fluid communication with the needle.
15 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein:
the distal end surface of the body includes a sealing element configured to limit leakage of the substance when the substance is conveyed from the needle to the target region of the target tissue and the distal end surface of the body is in contact with the target surface of the target tissue.
16 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein:
the body and the needle adjustment member are monolithically constructed.
17 . A method, comprising:
adjusting the needle extending from a distal end surface of a body of the medical device to place a distal end of the needle in a predefined position relative to the distal end surface of the body;
locking the needle in the predefined position;
placing the distal end surface of the body of the medical device into contact with a target surface of the target tissue to fluidically isolate the delivery passageway; and
conveying, after the placing, a substance into the target tissue via the needle.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein:
the target tissue is an eye and the target surface is a conjunctiva of the eye.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein:
the delivery passageway extends through a sclera of the eye; and
the conveying includes conveying the substance into at least one of a suprachoroidal space or a subretinal space.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein:
the distal end surface of the body includes a sealing portion configured to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal with the target surface when the distal end surface of the body is in contact with the target surface, the sealing portion being deformable upon contact with the target surface.
21 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
measuring a pressure associated with the conveying the substance into the target tissue.
22 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
coupling to the body of the medical device a syringe containing the substance to place the substance in fluid communication with the needle.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein:
the coupling includes coupling via a luer connection.
24 . The method of claim 22 , further comprising:
causing conveyance of the substance from the syringe to the needle of the medical device.
25 . The method of claim 17 , wherein:
the adjusting is based on a thickness of the target tissue.