The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 07, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 13, 2002
Michael T. Trese, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
George A. Williams, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Michael Hartzer, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Wendelin Dailey, Orion, MI (US);
William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Abstract
Methods of modifying total MMP activity levels in the vitreous of an eye are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the method results in reduced MMP activity and comprises introducing plasmin into the vitreous of the eye. Enzyme assisted vitrectomy procedures are also provided, and comprise introducing plasmin into the vitreous in an amount sufficient to induce posterior detachment of the vitreous, mechanically detaching the vitreous from the eye, introducing a replacement fluid into the eye, and introducing plasmin into the eye in an amount sufficient to decrease the total MMP activity in vitreous. Considering the purported roles of MMPs in a variety of vitreal pathologies, the present invention provides methods of inhibiting the progression of various disease conditions, including prolifertaive diabetic retinopathy.