Injectable porous device for treatment of dry and wet age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy
Inventors
Marshall, Andrew J. • Maginness, Max
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10842916-B2
Publication Date
2020-11-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
This disclosure provides a method for reducing or preventing the formation and/or accumulation of drusen in an eye of a mammalian subject in need thereof, the method comprising implanting one or more microporous devices into the eye, each device having a device body and an outer surface, wherein the microporous device is formed of a biocompatible elastomeric material and comprises a plurality of interconnected pores throughout the device body.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a method for treating or preventing age-related macular degeneration from progressing in an eye of a mammalian subject in need thereof. The method comprises inserting one or more microporous devices through an insertion tool into the eye, wherein each microporous device is contained within the insertion tool in a compressed state prior to inserting. The microporous device expands from the compressed state after exiting from the insertion tool to effect implantation, thereby reducing the formation or accumulation of drusen in the eye.
Each microporous device has a device body and an outer surface, and is formed of a biocompatible elastomeric material. The device comprises a plurality of interconnected pores throughout the device body and extending to the outer surface, with substantially all interconnected pores each interconnected to at least 2 other pores. Any two adjacent pores are connected by a throat, where a mean diameter of the pores is between about 5 and about 50 micrometers, and a mean throat diameter is at least 5 micrometers.
The disclosed architecture is an injectable microporous, biocompatible elastomeric device having an open-cell structure with interconnected pores extending to the outer surface. The pore and throat geometry is tailored to promote infiltration and antibacterial/scavenging activity of host macrophages, while smaller-throat fraction is used to restrict bacterial entry. The microporous device is further described as implantable in eye locations and as being expandable after insertion from a compressed state.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim covering a method for treating or preventing age-related macular degeneration progression by inserting an expandable microporous biocompatible elastomeric device with interconnected pores and defined pore/throat geometry. The independent claim is further narrowed in dependent claims by specifying AMD subtype, throat and pore distribution constraints, and device configuration and material options.
Expandable microporous elastomeric implantation to reduce drusen
A method comprising inserting one or more microporous devices through an insertion tool into the eye, where each microporous device is contained in a compressed state prior to inserting and expands from the compressed state after exiting the insertion tool to effect implantation, thereby reducing the formation or accumulation of drusen in the eye.
Open-cell interconnected pore and throat geometry for device performance
Each microporous device is formed of a biocompatible elastomeric material and comprises a plurality of interconnected pores throughout the device body and extending to the outer surface, wherein substantially all interconnected pores are each interconnected to at least 2 other pores, a mean diameter of the pores is between about 5 and about 50 micrometers, any two adjacent pores are connected by a throat, and a mean throat diameter is at least 5 micrometers.
Overall, the independent claim scope is defined by an insertion of a compressed microporous biocompatible elastomeric device that expands after exiting to implant in the eye to reduce drusen, combined with an open-cell interconnected pore system reaching the outer surface and pore/throat dimensional constraints expressed as mean diameters and connectivity relationships.
Stated Advantages
Reduces the formation or accumulation of drusen in the eye.
Treats or prevents age-related macular degeneration from progressing.
Documented Applications
Treating or preventing progression of age-related macular degeneration in a mammalian eye.
The method is characterized as applicable to atrophic or exudative age-related macular degeneration.
Preventing progression of diabetic retinopathy is described in the provided document content.
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