Intraocular iontophoretic device and associated methods

Abstract

The present invention includes methods and devices for non-invasively delivering an active agent to the eye of a subject. In one aspect, for example, a device for delivering an active agent to an eye of a subject may include an ocular lens-shaped housing configured to contact a surface of the eye, and a reservoir coupled to the housing and configured to deliver an active agent to the eye, wherein the reservoir is located entirely within a 180 degree section of the housing. In another aspect, the reservoir is located entirely within a 150 degree section of the housing.

1 . A device for delivering an active agent to an eye of a subject, comprising:
 an ocular lens-shaped housing operable to contact a surface of the eye;   a reservoir coupled to the housing and operable to deliver an active agent into the eye, wherein the reservoir surface area configured to face the eye is less than about 50% of the surface area of the housing configured to face the eye; and   a vacuum device coupled to the housing and operable to create negative pressure between the housing and the surface of the eye.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir surface area configured to face the eye is less than about 25% of the surface area of the housing configured to face the eye. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir surface area configured to face the eye is less than about 10% of the surface area of the housing configured to face the eye. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir includes an electrode operable to provide an electrical current capable of iontophoresing an active agent. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum device is a vacuum bulb. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum device is removably coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured in size and shape to allow the subject's eyelids to close substantially thereover when positioned on the eye. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is a plurality of reservoirs. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of reservoirs has a combined surface area configured to face the eye that is less than about 50% of the surface area of the housing configured to face the eye. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the housing is configured to extended into a cul-de-sac under an eyelid of the eye of the subject. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured as a scleral lens. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to position at least a portion of the reservoir in a lower cul-de-sac of the eye. 
     
     
         13 . A method for enhancing ocular delivery of an active agent to the eye of a subject, comprising:
 contacting an ocular lens-shaped housing having a reservoir containing the active agent against an eye surface such that the reservoir contacts a delivery region of the eye,   wherein the reservoir surface area configured to face the eye is less than about 50% of the surface area of the housing configured to face the eye;   applying a vacuum between the housing and the eye surface sufficient to maintain the reservoir substantially in alignment with the delivery region during delivery of the active agent;   delivering the active agent from the reservoir into the eye; and   removing the housing from the eye.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein delivering the active agent from the reservoir further includes actively delivering the active agent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein actively delivering the active agent from the reservoir further includes iontophoretically delivering the active agent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein delivering the active agent from the reservoir further includes passively delivering the active agent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein removing the housing from the eye further includes releasing the vacuum between the housing and the eye surface sufficient to release the housing from the eye. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising delivering a vasoconstrictor agent into the eye. 
     
     
         19 . A method of iontophoretically delivering an active agent to an eye of a subject, comprising:
 positioning the device of  claim 1  on the surface of the eye of the subject;   applying negative pressure between the device and the eye; and   delivering the active agent into the eye.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the negative pressure is applied via a vacuum bulb.