Medical devices

Abstract

Medical devices comprising an anti-connexin agent suitable for introduction into a subject.

1 . A method of preventing and/or treating inflammation, blood vessel leakage, and/or fibrosis associated with the use or implantation of medical device selected from an ophthalmic implant in a subject comprising introducing into the subject the medical device of which at least a portion comprises an anti-connexin peptide compound releasable upon insertion of the medical device to or within a subject, wherein the inflammation, blood vessel leakage, and/or fibrosis is prevented, ameliorated and/or delayed. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic implant is a glaucoma shunt. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic implant is an orbital implant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic implant is a lens. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic implant is a lens implant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic implant is a corneal implant. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin peptide compound is an anti-connexin 43 peptide compound. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin peptide compound is a peptidomimetic. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the peptidomimetic is an anti-connexin 43 peptidomimetic. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the peptidomimetic is an anti-connexin 45 peptidomimetic. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the peptidomimetic is an anti-connexin 40 peptidomimetic. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin peptide compound binds to a connexin hemichannel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin peptide compound binds to a connexin hemichannel extracellular loop. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin peptide compound is a peptide having a sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:15-38 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin peptide compound is a peptide having a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 19 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the medical device comprises an anti-connexin peptide compound. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the anti-connexin peptide compound is present at a weight percentage of about 0.0001% to about 30%. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the surface of the medical device contacts a target tissue within the subject upon use. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the release rate of the anti-connexin peptide compound is controlled. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device provides for surface contact release of the anti-connexin peptide compound. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device provides for the sustained release of the anti-connexin peptide compound. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device provides for the slow release of the anti-connexin peptide compound. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a coating containing an anti-connexin peptide compound. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the coating comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the coating comprises a plurality of layers of a polymer/anti-connexin peptide compound mixture. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises at least one channel formed in an outer surface thereof, and wherein the anti-connexin peptide compound is included on and/or within at least one channel. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the medical device is formed, in whole or in part, of a substance that includes the anti-connexin peptide compound. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises one or more therapeutic agents. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1  or  9 , wherein inflammation is prevented or ameliorated. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1  or  9 , wherein blood vessel leakage is prevented or ameliorated. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 1  or  9 , wherein fibrosis is prevented or ameliorated. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-connexin 43 peptide compound is modified. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a mammal. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human.