Juxtascleral Drug Delivery and Ocular Implant System

Abstract

Ophthalmic drug delivery devices useful for delivery of pharmaceutically active agents to the posterior segment of the eye are disclosed.

1 . An ophthalmic drug delivery device, comprising:
 an injector housing;   a capsule containing pharmaceutically agent disposed within said injector housing;   a delivery cannula coupled to a distal surface of said injector housing;   an injector cannula slidably disposed within said delivery cannula and said injector housing, said injector cannula having a first tip for penetrating said capsule, and a second tip for dispensing said pharmaceutically active agent;   an extension assembly for extending said injector cannula from said delivery cannula; and   a compression assembly for compressing said capsule and allowing delivery of said pharmaceutically active agent.   
   
   
       2 . The drug delivery device of  claim 1  wherein said extension assembly comprises:
 a first plunger shaft slidably disposed in said injector housing;   a positioning member coupled to said first plunger shaft and disposed within said injector housing; and   an injector cannula guide coupled to said injector cannula and disposed within said injector housing beneath said positioning member;   whereby depression of said first plunger shaft displaces said positioning member said injector cannula guide to extend said injector cannula from said delivery cannula.   
   
   
       3 . The drug delivery device of  claim 2  wherein said compression assembly comprises:
 a compression member coupled to said first plunger shaft; and   a locking mechanism for removably coupling said first plunger shaft and said positioning member.   
   
   
       4 . The drug delivery device of  claim 2  wherein said compression assembly comprises:
 a second plunger shaft slidably disposed within said first plunger shaft; and   a compression member coupled to said second plunger shaft.   
   
   
       5 . The drug delivery device of  claim 1  wherein said injector cannula is made from a superelastic material. 
   
   
       6 . The drug delivery device of  claim 1  wherein said injector housing may be opened so as to enable placement of said capsule. 
   
   
       7 . The drug delivery device of  claim 1  wherein said capsule is disposed within said injector housing, and said injector housing is sealed. 
   
   
       8 . An ophthalmic drug delivery device, comprising:
 an injector housing;   a delivery cannula coupled to a distal surface of said injector housing;   an injector cannula slidably disposed within said delivery cannula and said injector housing, said injector cannula having a first opening proximate a distal tip;   a mandrel slidably disposed within said injector cannula;   an extension assembly for extending said injector cannula from said delivery cannula; and   a drug eluting implant disposed within said injector cannula.   
   
   
       9 . The drug delivery device of  claim 8  wherein said extension assembly comprises:
 a first plunger shaft slidably disposed in said injector housing;   a positioning member coupled to said first plunger shaft and disposed within said injector housing; and   an injector cannula guide coupled to said injector cannula and disposed within said injector housing beneath said positioning member;   whereby depression of said first plunger shaft displaces said positioning member said injector cannula guide to extend said injector cannula from said delivery cannula.   
   
   
       10 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 9  further comprising a delivery assembly having a second plunger shaft slidably disposed within said first plunger shaft, whereby depressing said second plunger displaces said mandrel and said implant along an interior of said injection cannula. 
   
   
       11 . The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 8  wherein said implant comprises a strip wound around said mandrel.