Treatment of age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration is treated by radiation delivered from a miniature x-ray tube inserted via a catheter around the globe of the eye, to a position behind the macula. The process can employ an applicator with several parallel guides, inserted around the eye to receive the catheter with x-ray tube (or an isotope) at a matrix of different positions. Methods are described for properly locating the catheter and x-ray tube, using illumination on the catheter and viewing through the front of the eye, or sensors on the catheter and a scanned beam shone from the front of the eye. Fluorescent material excited by x-rays can also be used. Also described are methods and devices for immobilizing the probe once properly located in the eye, for standoff of the x-ray tube from the target tissue, and for achieving prescription radiation dose in the choroid while eliminating dose to adjacent tissues. The x-ray treatment can be enhanced using a radiosensitizing drug, and can be combined with PDT.

1 - 58 . (canceled)  
   
   
       59 . A method for treating a tumor in or adjacent to the eye of a patient, comprising: 
 sliding a catheter around the globe of the eye of a living patient, the catheter containing a switchable x-ray source in a distal end of the catheter, to a position adjacent to the tumor, and    switching on the x-ray source to emit radiation to deliver a prescription dose to the tumor.    
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the x-ray source is capable of directional omission and is oriented to emit directed radiation toward the tumor.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein, prior to sliding the catheter, an applicator is inserted around the globe of the eye, the applicator having at least one guide channel, and the step of sliding the catheter comprising sliding the catheter into the guide channel of the applicator.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the applicator has a plurality of parallel guides, and including inserting the catheter into each of the parallel guides successively to deliver radiation in a desired distribution, avoiding concentration of radiation in ocular structure or adjacent tissue.