Medical devices

1. A method of preventing and/or treating inflammation 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 anti-connexin 43 peptide compound releasable upon insertion of the medical device to or within a subject, wherein the inflammation 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 ophthalmic implant is an orbital implant.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic implant is a lens.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic implant is a lens implant.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic implant is a corneal implant.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 peptide compound is a peptidomimetic.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the peptidomimetic binds to a hemichannel extracellular loop.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the peptidomimetic blocks or inhibits hemichannel opening.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 peptide compound binds to connexin 43 hemichannel extracellular loop E1.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 peptide compound binds to connexin 43 hemichannel extracellular loop E2.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin peptide compound is a peptide having a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:15-23 and 38 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin peptide compound is a peptide having a sequence according to SEQ ID NO:18 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the medical device comprises an anti-connexin 43 peptide compound.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 peptide compound is present at a weight percentage of about 0.0001% to about 30%.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the surface of the medical device contacts a target tissue within the subject upon use.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the release rate of the anti-connexin 43 peptide compound is controlled.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical device provides for surface contact release of the anti-connexin 43 peptide compound.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical device provides for the sustained release of the anti-connexin 43 peptide compound.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical device provides for the slow release of the anti-connexin peptide 43 compound.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a coating containing an anti-connexin 43 peptide compound.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the coating comprises a polymer.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the coating comprises a plurality of layers of a polymer/anti-connexin 43 peptide compound mixture.

24. 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 43 peptide compound is included on and/or within at least one channel.

25. 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 43 peptide compound.

26. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises one or more therapeutic agents.

27. The method of claim 1 or 13 , wherein inflammation is prevented or ameliorated.

28. The method of claim 1 or 13 , wherein blood vessel leakage is prevented or ameliorated.

29. The method of claim 1 or 13 , wherein fibrosis is prevented or ameliorated.

30. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 peptide compound is modified.

31. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a mammal.

32. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human.