Insite Vision Corporation

Other

Karl I Hecker

Lyle M Bowman

James Frederick Pfeiffer

Leslie A Clark

Intrascleral injection of a therapeutic or diagnostic material at a location overlying the retina provides a minimally invasive technique for delivering the agent to the posterior segment of the eye. The procedure also allows for close proximity of the material to the targeted site and can be effectively used to treat conditions associated with the posterior segment of the eye, including macular degeneration, vein occlusion, and diabetic retinopathy. The sclera can be used to hold a depot of the material such as for sustained released or as a conduit for propelling material through whereby the material is delivered immediately to the underlying tissues but without physically penetrating the sclera with an instrument or otherwise unreasonably traumatizing the eye.

Methods of ophthalmic administration

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for using the apparatus for injecting an agent into a tissue, particularly into thin tissues such as the sclera of the eye. The invention provides an apparatus and method for effectively imbedding a needle into a tissue at a predetermined penetration approach angle and penetration distance thereby reducing the risk of penetrating the full thickness of the tissue. The invention includes a support element and a needle guide platform disposed on the support element with an external support surface and a channel extending therethrough and terminating in an aperture at the support surface. A needle disposed in the channel is axially movable along an axis of injection through the channel. The needle is movable from a first retracted position to an extended position corresponding to the penetration distance, along the axis of injection. The axis of injection forms a penetration approach angle of up to about 60&deg; with a tangent of the support surface at a point of intersection of the axis of injection with the projection of the support surface across the aperture.

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Keene, NH, United States of America

Karl I Hecker