Method and device for treating and managing diseased ocular tissue

Abstract

A method of treating and managing diseased ocular tissue in the bulbar conjunctiva comprises providing a device comprising a plurality of microneedles arranged on a substrate contacting the device with a diseased ocular tissue region formed in the bulbar conjunctiva stroma to form a plurality of micro-injury sites therein. A device comprises a contact lens substrate comprising a substantially elliptical corneal portion and a limbus portion located radially about the corneal portion. A scleral portion is located radially about the substrate. The device is at least partially degradable and comprises a therapeutic compound. At least a portion of the scleral portion is configured to overlay, and deliver the therapeutic compound to, a diseased ocular tissue located adjacent to the cornea of a patient.

1 . A device for treating and managing diseased ocular tissue in a patient's bulbar conjunctiva, comprising:
 a substrate having a top side and an opposing underside:   a plurality of microneedles positioned on the top side of the substrate; and   a connector element, connected to the underside of the substrate;   wherein the microneedles comprise a first material and the connector element comprises a second material, the first material being different from and degrading at a faster rate than the second material upon contact with the patient's eye; and   wherein the microneedles are arranged and dimensioned such that when the substrate is brought into contact with the diseased tissue, the microneedles penetrate a diseased ocular tissue region formed in the bulbar conjunctival stroma, to produce a plurality of micro-injury sites within the diseased bulbar conjunctival stroma region, and cause release of growth factors and formation of new collagen fibrils.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises an open central portion. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connector element comprises an elongate member allowing a user to manually bring the device into contact with the patient's eye. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first material comprises collagen. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a hydrogel. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate and the plurality of microneedles comprise different materials. 
     
     
         7 . A device for treating and managing diseased ocular tissue in a patient's bulbar conjunctiva, comprising:
 a substrate comprising a top side and an opposing under side;   a connector element connected to the underside of the substrate;   a non-degraded device configuration comprising:
 a plurality of a plurality of microneedles positioned on the top side of the substrate; and 
   a degraded device configuration comprising:
 at least a portion of the plurality of the microneedles being degraded; 
   
       wherein the device is configured to transition from the non-degraded configuration to the degraded configuration after contacting the patient's eye. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality microneedles comprise a first material and the connector element comprises a second material, said first and second materials being different from each other. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first material degrades at a faster rate than the second material upon contacting the patient's eye. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the connector element comprises an elongate member allowing a user to manually bring the device into contact with the patient's eye. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the first material comprises collagen. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the substrate comprises a hydrogel. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the substrate and the plurality of microneedles comprise different materials. 
     
     
         14 . A device for treating and managing diseased ocular tissue in a patient's bulbar conjunctiva, comprising:
 a substrate having a top side and an opposing underside:   a plurality of microneedles positioned on the top side of the substrate; and   a connector element releasably connected to the underside of the substrate.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of microneedles comprise a material which changes shape upon contacting and absorbing patient tears. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of microneedles comprise a material which changes size upon contacting and absorbing patient tears. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of microneedles comprise a material which dissolves upon contacting and absorbing patient tears.