Micronized Cell Microcapsules for Sustained Ocular Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating vision-threatening eye disorders are limited by the inability to deliver therapeutic agents effectively and sustainably to the eye, requiring immunosuppression and lacking long-term transplant function.
Innovation Solution
Micronized devices containing a core of living cells that produce biologically active molecules, encapsulated in a biocompatible jacket with a molecular weight cutoff, allowing diffusion into the eye while blocking immunological rejection, are implanted in the vitreous, Sub-Tenon's capsule, or anterior chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If whole organs, organ tissue, or cells are transplanted to restore organ or tissue function, then dramatic benefits are achieved, but immunosuppression is required which leads to loss of transplant function and eventual necrosis
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the transplant into microcapsules containing individual cells or small cell clusters, each encapsulated separately. This segmentation allows the immune system to recognize each microcapsule as a separate entity, reducing the overall immunogenic response while maintaining therapeutic function. The microcapsules are distributed throughout the target tissue rather than implanted as a single large graft.
Solution Approach 2:
The biocompatible polymer membrane acts as an intermediary barrier between the transplanted cells and the host immune system. This membrane selectively permits diffusion of nutrients, oxygen, and therapeutic products while blocking immune cells and antibodies, thereby mediating protection without requiring systemic immunosuppression.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If macrocapsule devices are used to protect cells from the immune system, then immunosuppression is alleviated, but long-term transplant function is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the protective encapsulation function into numerous small microcapsules rather than using a single large macrocapsule. This segmentation increases the total surface area for nutrient and oxygen diffusion, improves waste removal efficiency, and enhances long-term cell viability. The distributed microcapsules also reduce the formation of fibrotic capsules that typically compromise long-term function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the size parameter of the encapsulation devices from macroscopic to microscopic scale. This size reduction fundamentally alters the diffusion characteristics, allowing more efficient exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and metabolic products. The microscale dimensions also prevent the formation of hypoxic cores that occur in larger capsules, thereby sustaining cell function long-term.
3Quantity of substance
If therapeutic agents are delivered to the eye, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but the ability to maintain therapeutically effective concentrations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The microcapsulated cells continuously produce and secrete therapeutic agents directly into the ocular environment. This continuous in situ production maintains therapeutically effective concentrations over extended periods without requiring repeated administrations. The living cells within each microcapsule function as persistent sources of the therapeutic molecule.
Solution Approach 2:
The transplanted cells are genetically engineered to autonomously produce the therapeutic agent they are intended to deliver. These self-sufficient cells require no external supplementation or intervention to maintain therapeutic output, as they continuously synthesize and secrete the desired molecule in response to local physiological conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These devices provide sustained release of therapeutic molecules, reducing the need for immunosuppression and achieving long-term treatment of eye disorders such as retinal degeneration and macular degeneration with minimal adverse effects.
Implementation Method 1
the jacket has a molecular weight cutoff permitting diffusion of the biologically active molecule into the eye
Implementation Method 2
biocompatible jacket surrounding said core, wherein the jacket has a molecular weight cutoff
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides micronized encapsulated cell therapy devices that are capable of delivering a biologically active molecule to the eye. Also provided are methods of using the same to deliver biologically active molecules to the eye and to treat ophthalmic disorders in patients suffering there from.