Mechanically activated objects for treatment of degenerative retinal disease

Abstract

Mechanically activated objects or devices for use in treating degenerative retinal diseases are provided. Such devices apply mechanical forces to tissues of an eye to effectuate treatment and are configured for chronic implantation (thereby applying chronic stimulation/irritation) in or on the eye. The devices may be configured for contact with a retina of the eye, preferably positioned in a subretinal space. Various embodiments comprise a moving member configured for chronic contact with at least a portion of the eye, which moving member is activated by an actuator. In some embodiments, the actuator may be distally located relative to the moving member. Alternatively, the moving member may be supported by a body member that, optionally, also supports the actuator.

1 . A mechanically activated object configured for chronic irritation of an eye to effectuate treatment of a degenerative retinal disease.  
   
   
       2 . The mechanically activated object of  claim 1  configured for contact with a retina of the eye.  
   
   
       3 . The mechanically activated object of  claim 2  configured for implantation in a subretinal space of the eye.  
   
   
       4 . A device for treatment of degenerative retinal disease comprising: 
 a moving member configured for chronic contact with at least a portion of an eye; and    an actuator for activating the moving member to stimulate the eye to effectuate treatment of the degenerative retinal disease.    
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator is distally located relative to the moving member.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the moving member is configured for contact with a retina of the eye.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the moving member is configured for implantation in a subretinal space of the eye.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator comprises a projecting arm coupled to the moving member.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the moving member comprises a magnet and the actuator comprises a magnetic field source.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the magnetic field source comprises an extraocular magnetic field source.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the magnetic field source comprises a time-varying magnetic field source.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the moving member comprises a body having a natural vibration frequency and the actuator comprises an oscillator operating substantially at the natural vibration frequency.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the oscillator comprises an extraocular oscillator.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a body member supporting the moving member.    
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the body member supports the actuator.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the actuator comprises an electrical source.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the moving member comprises an electrostatically-activated member.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the moving member comprises a piezoelectric member.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the moving member comprises an electroactive polymer member.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the actuator comprises a heating element coupled to the electrical source.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the moving member comprises a deflectable membrane sealing a cavity formed in the body member, the cavity comprising a fluid, and wherein the heating element is positioned to heat the fluid thereby causing expansion of the membrane.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the moving member comprises a shape memory alloy in thermal communication with the heating element.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the electrical source comprises a photovoltaic element.  
   
   
       24 . A device for treatment of degenerative retinal disease comprising: 
 movable means for chronically contacting at least a portion of an eye; and    means for inducing movement of the movable means, thereby inducing displacement of at least a portion of the eye to effectuate treatment of the degenerative retinal disease.    
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the movable means is configured for contact with a retina of the eye.  
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the movable means is configured for implantation in a subretinal space of the eye.