Device for ocular access

Abstract

The present invention provides devices to access the suprachoroidal space or sub-retinal space in an eye via a minimally invasive transconjunctival approach. The devices may also be used after a partial dissection, for example after dissection of the outer scleral layer of the eye, and using the device within the dissection to access the suprachoroidal space or the sub-retinal space.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a body defining a passageway configured to receive a puncture member therethrough;   the puncture member coupled to and disposed within the passageway of the body, the puncture member configured to define a delivery passageway within a sclera of an eye through which a substance can be conveyed to a suprachoroidal space (SCS) of an eye, the puncture member defining a lumen therethrough; and   an elongate member slidably disposed within a lumen of the puncture member, the elongate member configured to be advanced distally through and beyond the lumen of the puncture member to displace a choroid of the eye relative to a sclera of the eye to at least one of create or expand the SCS, the elongate member configured to be withdrawn into the lumen of the puncture member with a distal end of the puncture member disposed within the SCS such that a therapeutic substance can be delivered through the lumen of the puncture member and into the SCS.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a stopper coupled to the puncture member and configured to control a depth of entry of the puncture member into the eye. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the elongate member is a wire. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein a distal end of the wire is rounded. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the puncture member is a hollow needle. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the elongate member has a blunt tip. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a body defining a passageway configured to receive a puncture member therethrough;   the puncture member coupled to and disposed within the passageway of the body, the puncture member configured to define a delivery passageway within a first tissue layer of an eye through which a substance can be conveyed to target region within the eye, the puncture member defining a lumen therethrough; and   an elongate member slidably disposed within a lumen of the puncture member, the elongate member configured to be advanced distally through and beyond the lumen of the puncture member to displace a second tissue layer of the eye relative to the first tissue layer to at least one of create or expand the target region, the elongate member configured to be withdrawn into the lumen of the puncture member with a distal end of the puncture member disposed within the target region such that a therapeutic substance can be delivered through the lumen of the puncture member and into the target region, a distal end of the elongate member being blunt.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a stopper coupled to the puncture member and configured to control a depth of entry of the puncture member into the eye. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the elongate member is a wire. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the distal end of the wire is rounded. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the puncture member is a hollow needle. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first tissue layer is a sclera of the eye, the second tissue layer is a choroid of the eye, and a target region is the suprachoroidal space of the eye. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the target region is a subretinal space of the eye.