Vacuum-assisted drug delivery device and method

Abstract

This invention relates to a device and method for the vacuum-assisted delivery of drugs through an intact surface membrane of an organ.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for delivering a drug into an eye of a patient non-invasively for treating a disease or condition in the patient in need thereof, comprising:
 placing a surface of a drug reservoir in contact with an epithelial or conjunctival surface of the eye to which the surface of the drug reservoir has been conformed such that an air-tight contact between the drug reservoir surface and the epithelial or conjunctival surface is formed and such that a fluid in the drug reservoir is placed in fluid communication with the epithelial or conjunctival surface; and   creating a vacuum within the drug reservoir to effect diffusion of the fluid in the drug reservoir through the epithelial or conjunctival surface and into the subsurface of the eye.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the surface of the eye is the epithelial surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , where the fluid comprises a substance that is capable of catalyzing the cross-linking of macromolecules in the eye. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the fluid comprises an anti-microbial, an anti-inflammatory, an analgesic, antiseptic, or an anti-VEGF drug. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the delivery of a drug is for the treatment of uveitis, keratoconus, glaucoma, dry eye, diabetic macular edema, age-related macular degeneration, corneal infection or cytomegalovirus retinitis. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the vacuum is a pressure between 1 and 100 torr. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled)