Ocular therapeutic agent delivery devices and methods for making and using such devices

Abstract

Ocular implant devices ( 10, 20, 121 ) for the delivery of a therapeutic agent to an eye ( 101, 301 ) in a controlled and sustained manner. Dual mode and single mode drug delivery devices ( 10, 20, 121 ) are illustrated and described. Implants ( 10, 20 ) suitable for subconjunctival placement are described. Implants ( 121, 10, 20 ) suitable for intravitreal placement also are described. The invention also includes fabrication and implementation techniques associated with the unique ocular implant devices ( 10, 20, 121 ) that are presented herein.

1 . A method of preventing or reducing graft rejection in a mammalian eye following corneal transplantation, the method comprising the step of: 
 implanting at a subconjunctival location, a sustained release implant comprising an immune system modifying agent dispersed within a nonbiodegradable polymer, such that the implant releases the agent continuously to the eye at a substantially constant release rate for at least three months to prevent or reduce graft rejection in the eye.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the agent is cyclosporine A.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the implant further comprises a discrete solid core containing the immune system modifying agent or a second therapeutic agent.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is silicone.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the polymer is silicone.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the polymer is silicone.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is poly(ethylene vinyl) acetate (EVA).  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the polymer is poly(ethylene vinyl) acetate (EVA).  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the polymer is poly(ethylene vinyl) acetate (EVA).  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is biologically inert.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the implant releases the agent continuously to the eye at a substantially constant rate for at least six months.