Microneedle for eye injection surgery

Unmet Need: A minimally invasive surgical tool for delicate retinal tissue

Retinal artery occlusion is an ophthalmological impairment that can lead to vision loss. This condition can be treated by using glass micropipettes to inject therapeutics behind the retina and into specific retinal blood vessels. However, intravitreal delivery can lead to adverse events, such as intraocular inflammation, retinal detachment, and ocular hemorrhage. Due to the thickness and structure of the retina, injection has a limited target effect in the posterior section of the eye. There is a need for versatile needle instrumentation to navigate the eye while minimizing injection damage.

The Technology: Engineered microneedle for precise retinal intravascular microinjections

This technology is a minimally invasive microneedle that enables precise subretinal and intravascular injections in the eye. The specially designed microneedles are manufactured with 2-photon polymerization lithography and then mounted to the blunt ends of syringe needles. The needle is composed of a base, wings, needle body, and a curved tip. Eye insertion is facilitated by placing the cutting edge of the microneedle perpendicular to the direction of perforation. The sawtooth cutting edge creates small, successive cuts into the tissue, instead of one large cut, which reduces the insertion force required to cut into the retinal tissue and minimizes tissue damage. The wings collapse to allow the needle to pass through surgical portals into the eye. Once inside, they open to offer the surgeon additional control over their aim by aligning with the vessel that will be cannulated. The wings improve aim and directionality when inserting the needle, while the curved tip enables injection or aspiration. The occlusion can then be removed via injection of an agent, or simply by applying hydrodynamic forces. This technology can be used to increase the precision and safety of retinal surgery and other surgical procedures requiring high-precision cuts into delicate tissue.

This technology has been validated in cadaveric pig eyes.

Applications:

Minimally invasive retinal surgery
Cannulation for treatment for central retinal artery occlusion
Drug delivery method to administer subretinal injections
Treatment modality for retinitis pigmentosa
Treatment modality for age-related macular degeneration
Treatment modality for Leber’s congenital amaurosis
Research tool for cannulation and subretinal injection

Advantages:

Increases safety and precision of subretinal and intravascular procedures in the eye
Minimizes eye damage
Reduces recovery time
Minimally invasive via precise, blade-like needles
Reconfigurable geometry with a base, wings, needle body, and a curved tip
Enable close alignment with blood vessel
Includes ultra-sharp tips and curved lamina
Advanced manufacturing techniques

Lead Inventor:

Tongalp H. Tezel, MD

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Related Publications:

Tech Ventures Reference:

IR CU24034, CU24035, CU24036
Licensing Contact: Sara Gusik