Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for delivering an active agent into the eye of a subject. In one aspect, for example, the present invention provides an ocular drug delivery device including a housing configured to couple to the eye of the subject and a corneal seal coupled to the housing and positioned in the housing to encircle the cornea during use to form a corneal region, where the housing extends outward from the corneal seal to form a scleral region, and where the scleral region being positioned over the eye's sclera during use. The device further includes an active agent reservoir coupled to the housing and positioned to release active agent into the scleral region and a pressure regulator coupled to the housing that is operable to introduce negative pressure between the housing and the eye. Thus the corneal seal is operable to fluidically isolate the corneal region from the scleral region in response to the negative pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for delivering an active agent into the eye of a subject. In one aspect, for example, the present invention provides an ocular drug delivery device including a housing configured to couple to the eye of the subject and a corneal seal coupled to the housing and positioned in the housing to encircle the cornea during use to form a corneal region, where the housing extends outward from the corneal seal to form a scleral region, and where the scleral region being positioned over the eye's sclera during use. The device further includes an active agent reservoir coupled to the housing and positioned to release active agent into the scleral region and a pressure regulator coupled to the housing that is operable to introduce negative pressure between the housing and the eye. Thus the corneal seal is operable to fluidically isolate the corneal region from the scleral region in response to the negative pressure.

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 non-invasively delivering an active agent to the eye of a subject. In one aspect, for example, a device for delivering an active agent to an eye of a subject may include an ocular lens-shaped housing configured to contact a surface of the eye, and a reservoir coupled to the housing and configured to deliver an active agent to the eye, wherein the reservoir is located entirely within a 180 degree section of the housing. In another aspect, the reservoir is located entirely within a 150 degree section of the housing.

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: Methods and systems for preventing or treating various ocular conditions are disclosed and described. In one aspect, for example, a method for minimizing systemic exposure to a steroid-sparing immunosuppressive agent during treatment or prevention of an ocular condition is provided. Such a method may include administering a steroid-sparing immunosuppressive agent directly into an eye of a subject having or at risk for having the ocular condition.

Abstract: An iontophoretic method for transporting compounds of interest across a body tissue is provided. The method utilizes an AC signal in conjunction with a barrier-modifying agent such as a fatty acid, fatty alcohol, bile acid, surfactant, or the like. The method enables the maintenance of a substantially constant electrical state in 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. The barrier-modifying agent reduces the time as well as the voltage level required to achieve a target electrical resistance, thereby reducing patient discomfort and increasing the battery life of the iontophoresis device.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for iontophoretically transporting a compound through a localized region of an individual's body tissue. The device comprises first and second iontophoretic electrodes, a reference electrode, a current source, and a monitoring means. The first electrode is placed in ion-conducting relation with the localized region to allow iontophoretic transport of a compound therethrough. The second and transport electrodes are each placed in contact with the individual's body tissue, and all electrodes are spaced apart from each other. The current source is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes and applies a current to the localized region of body tissue to effect iontophoretic transport. The monitoring means monitors the electrical resistance of the localized region by measuring any voltage difference between the reference electrode and the first and/or second electrodes.