Retinal Agent Delivery via Inner Limiting Membrane Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Delivering agents to the retina and structures beyond, such as the optic nerve, is challenging due to the sensitivity of degenerating retinas and the limitations of transient retinal detachment and sub-retinal delivery methods, which often result in inefficient gene transfer and potential trauma.
Innovation Solution
The method involves removing a portion of the inner limiting membrane to expose the retina, applying a composition containing the agent, and introducing a non-diluting fluid replacement material to maintain the agent's position on the retina for sufficient time to allow efficient delivery, thereby bypassing the need for retinal detachment and enhancing transduction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transient retinal detachment is used to deliver agents to the retina, then delivery to structures beyond the retina is achieved, but the degenerating retina may be damaged and the fovea may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the inner limiting membrane (ILM) to create direct access to the retina, extracting the barrier that prevents efficient agent delivery. This allows agents to be applied directly to the retinal surface without requiring retinal detachment, thereby achieving reliable delivery while avoiding the harmful effects of detachment on the retina and fovea.
2Reliability
If sub-retinal delivery is used to deliver agents to the retina, then direct retinal access is achieved, but gene transfer efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the removed ILM as an intermediary step - by removing it, agents can be applied to the retinal surface where they are held in place by fluid replacement material. This intermediary approach (removing the membrane barrier) enables much higher gene transfer efficiency compared to direct sub-retinal injection, while still maintaining direct retinal access.
3Ease of operation
If intravitreal injection is used to deliver agents to the retina, then delivery is simplified, but the inner limiting membrane blocks widespread gene transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inner limiting membrane barrier by removing it surgically. This allows agents applied via simplified intravitreal injection to reach the retinal surface efficiently, combining the ease of intravitreal delivery with the gene transfer efficiency previously only achievable through complex sub-retinal approaches.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If retinal detachment is avoided to protect the retina, then retinal safety is improved, but efficient agent delivery becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fluid replacement material as an intermediary substance that holds the applied agent against the retinal surface. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient agent delivery without requiring retinal detachment, thus maintaining retinal safety while achieving high delivery efficiency through the combination of ILM removal and fluid-based agent positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of delivering agents to structures within the eye are provided.