Intraocular delivery devices and methods therefor

Abstract

Injection devices for delivering pharmaceutical compositions into the eye are described. Some devices include a resistance component for controllably deploying an injection needle through the eye wall. The resistance component may be disposed on a removable injector attachment or on a portion of the injection device housing. Other devices may include a filter for the removal of air, infectious agents, and/or other particulate matter from the composition before the composition is injected into the eye. Related methods and systems comprising the devices are also described.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An injector configured for single-handed operation, comprising:
 a housing;   a reservoir within the housing comprising a volume of a therapeutic agent;   a plunger configured to slide within the housing and deliver the volume of therapeutic agent via an exit port;   a slot extending axially along a sidewall of the housing; and   a first actuator that extends through a slot in the sidewall of the housing, the first actuator fixedly attached to a portion of the plunger and configured to slide axially distally along the slot, the first actuator configured to be actuated with a fingertip and move the plunger axially; and   a second actuator attached to the proximal end of the plunger and configured to move the plunger axially, the second actuator proximate a proximal end of the syringe.   
     
     
         3 . The injector of  claim 2 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a VEGF antagonist. 
     
     
         4 . The injector of  claim 2 , wherein the injection volume is between about 0.03 mL and about 0.05 mL. 
     
     
         5 . The injector of  claim 2 , wherein the injection volume is between about 1 microliters and about 200 microliters. 
     
     
         6 . The injector of  claim 2 , wherein a square of the internal drug reservoir radius is proportional to the volume of the reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The injector of  claim 2 , wherein the plunger is configured to travel axially a length of between about 7.7 mm and about 17.7 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The injector of  claim 2 , wherein the first actuator comprises a dome shape. 
     
     
         9 . The injector of  claim 8 , wherein the dome shape comprises ridges. 
     
     
         10 . A injector configured for single-handed operation, comprising:
 a housing;   a reservoir within the housing comprising a volume of a therapeutic agent;   a plunger configured to slide within the housing and deliver the volume of therapeutic agent via an exit port;   a slot extending axially along a sidewall of the housing; and   a first actuator that extends through a slot in the sidewall of the housing, the first actuator fixedly attached to a portion of the plunger and configured to slide axially distally along the slot, the first actuator configured to be actuated with a fingertip.   
     
     
         11 . The injector of  claim 10 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises a VEGF antagonist. 
     
     
         12 . The injector of  claim 10 , wherein the injection volume is between about 0.03 mL and about 0.05 mL. 
     
     
         13 . The injector of  claim 10 , wherein the injection volume is between about 1 microliters and about 200 microliters. 
     
     
         14 . The injector of  claim 10 , additionally comprising a second actuator attached to the proximal end of the plunger, the second actuator proximate a proximal end of the injector. 
     
     
         15 . The injector of  claim 10 , wherein a square of the internal drug reservoir radius is proportional to the volume of the reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The injector of  claim 10 , wherein the plunger is configured to travel axially a length of between about 7.7 mm and about 17.7 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The injector of  claim 10 , wherein the first actuator comprises a dome shape. 
     
     
         18 . The injector of  claim 17 , wherein the dome shape comprises ridges. 
     
     
         19 . A pre-filled injector, comprising:
 a housing;   a reservoir within the housing comprising a volume of a therapeutic agent;   a plunger configured to axially slide within the housing and deliver the volume of therapeutic agent via an exit port;   a slot extending axially along a sidewall of the housing; and   a first actuator that extends through a slot in the sidewall of the housing, the first actuator fixedly attached to a portion of the plunger and configured to slide axially distally along the slot, the first actuator configured to be actuated with a fingertip and move the plunger axially; and   a second actuator attached to the proximal end of the plunger and configured to move the plunger axially upon exertion of a force on the actuator in a proximal direction, the second actuator proximate a proximal end of the housing.   
     
     
         20 . The injector of  claim 19 , wherein the plunger further comprises a seal on a distal end of the plunger and the slot has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the seal is distal to the slot throughout an axial working range of the plunger. 
     
     
         21 . The injector of  claim 19 , wherein the plunger further comprises a seal on a distal end of the plunger and the slot has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the seal is distal to the distal end of the slot.