Abstract: An implant device includes a polymer tube including an enclosed inner space, and a mixture of a hydrogel and a plurality of nanoparticles within the enclosed inner space. Each of the plurality of nanoparticles includes a shell, payload within the shell, and one or more photothermal agents on a surface of the shell. A wall of the polymer tube includes one or more layers of nanoporous polymer sheets including a plurality of pores. The dimension of the nanoparticles is greater than the dimension of the pores, and the dimension of the payload is smaller than the dimension of the pores.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for delivering an active agent into the eye of a subject. One such device may include an anode assembly having an anode housing and an anode configured to electrically couple to a power source, the anode assembly being configured to contact and remain against a surface of the eye. The device may also include a cathode assembly having a cathode housing and a cathode configured to electrically couple to the power source, the cathode assembly being configured to contact and remain against the surface of the eye. Additionally, the device may include at least one active agent reservoir functionally associated with at least one of the anode assembly and the cathode assembly.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for delivering an active agent into the eye of a subject. One such device may include an anode assembly having an anode housing and an anode configured to electrically couple to a power source, the anode assembly being configured to contact and remain against a surface of the eye. The device may also include a cathode assembly having a cathode housing and a cathode configured to electrically couple to the power source, the cathode assembly being configured to contact and remain against the surface of the eye. Additionally, the device may include at least one active agent reservoir functionally associated with at least one of the anode assembly and the cathode assembly.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for providing sustained in-vivo release of an active agent to a subject. In some aspects, such release may be achieved by reacting an active agent in-vivo with a depot forming agent in order to form a sustained release active agent depot inside the subject. The depot can then release the active agent over a sustained period of time.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for providing sustained in-vivo release of an active agent to a subject. In some aspects, such release may be achieved by reacting an active agent in-vivo with a depot forming agent in order to form a sustained release active agent depot inside the subject. The depot can then release the active agent over a sustained period of time.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a pharmaceutical compound for the treatment of posterior retinal diseases through topical application of the compound. The compound includes an effective amount of a therapeutic compound, and at least one additional agent that helps to prolong the residence time of the therapeutic compound within the extraocular space, or increase the transport of the therapeutic compound across a tissue of an eye toward and into a posterior ocular region, or both. The invention is additionally drawn to a device and method for delivering the compound.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a pharmaceutical compound for the treatment of posterior retinal diseases through topical application of the compound. The compound includes an effective amount of a therapeutic compound, and at least one additional agent that helps to prolong the residence time of the therapeutic compound within the extraocular space, or increase the transport of the therapeutic compound across a tissue of an eye toward and into a posterior ocular region, or both. The invention is additionally drawn to a device and method for delivering the compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for the passive delivery of active agents into the eye of a subject. In one aspect, for example, a device for passively delivering an active agent into an eye of a subject may include a housing configured to conform to at least a portion of an eye surface, and a first reservoir component located within the housing and configured to be fluidically coupled to a first ocular surface, where the first reservoir contains an ionized active agent. The device may further include a second reservoir component located within the housing and configured to be fluidically coupled to a second ocular surface located adjacent to the first ocular surface, where the second reservoir component contains a depot forming agent having a charge that is opposite in polarity as compared to the ionized active agent.

Abstract: An iontophoretic method is provided to selectively transport a compound of interest through a localized region of an individual's body tissue that exhibits a low electrical resistance and/or a high permeability. The method involves placing a permselective material, typically having a resistance comparable or higher than the resistance of the localized region, in ion-conducting relation to the localized region. An electrical current is then applied through the permselective material to the localized region, thereby transporting the compound of interest iontophoretically through the localized region. When the permselective material is capable of hindering iontophoretic transport of a competing ion, the transference efficiency of the compound of interest is increased during iontophoresis. As a result, the compound of interest is delivered into or extracted from the localized region at an enhanced rate. As transport efficiencies approach unity, absolute predictivity of transport also becomes possible.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a pharmaceutical compound for the treatment of posterior retinal diseases through topical application of the compound. The compound includes an effective amount of a therapeutic compound, and at least one additional agent that helps to prolong the residence time of the therapeutic compound within the extraocular space, or increase the transport of the therapeutic compound across a tissue of an eye toward and into a posterior ocular region, or both. The invention is additionally drawn to a device and method for delivering the compound.

Abstract: An iontophoretic method for transporting compounds of interest across a body tissue is provided. The method can be used to extract analytes or deliver drugs. The method utilizes a polyelectrolyte and provides for the maintenance of a substantially constant flux across a localized region of the tissue through which transport occurs, thereby allowing a compound of interest to be transported across the tissue in a controlled and predictable manner. In addition, the presence of the polyclectrolyte reduces the lag-time of molecular transport through the body tissue.

Abstract: A variety of methods for transporting different agents such as pharmaceutical agents, nutrients and genetic materials across a tissue are provided. The methods utilize an AC signal to maintain a substantially constant electrical state in a region of the tissue through which transport occurs, thereby allowing agent to be transported across the tissue in a controlled and predictable manner. Certain methods include an optional AC or DC prepulse signal to initially achieve the target electrical state. An optional DC offset signal can also be included to assist in promoting transfer of the agent. The methods have utility in a variety of different clinical settings and applications.

Abstract: A variety of methods for extracting different substances such as endogenous substances, pharmaceutical substances, markers of disease, and their metabolites across a tissue are provided. The methods utilize an AC signal to maintain a substantially constant electrical state in a region of the tissue through which extraction occurs, thereby allowing substances to be transported across the tissue in a controlled and predictable manner. Certain methods include an optional AC or DC prepulse signal to initially achieve the target electrical state. An optional DC offset signal can also be utilized to assist in promoting extraction of the substance. The methods have utility in a variety of different clinical settings and applications.

Abstract: A variety of methods for extracting different substances such as endogenous substances, pharmaceutical substances, markers of disease, and their metabolites across a tissue are provided. The methods utilize an AC signal to maintain a substantially constant electrical state in a region of the tissue through which extraction occurs, thereby allowing substances to be transported across the tissue in a controlled and predictable manner. Certain methods include an optional AC or DC prepulse signal to initially achieve the target electrical state. An optional DC offset signal can also be utilized to assist in promoting extraction of the substance. The methods have utility in a variety of different clinical settings and applications.

Abstract: A variety of methods for transporting different agents such as pharmaceutical agents, nutrients and genetic materials across a tissue are provided. The methods utilize an AC signal to maintain a substantially constant electrical state in a region of the tissue through which transport occurs, thereby allowing agent to be transported across the tissue in a controlled and predictable manner. Certain methods include an optional AC or DC prepulse signal to initially achieve the target electrical state. An optional DC offset signal can also be included to assist in promoting transfer of the agent. The methods have utility in a variety of different clinical settings and applications.