Abstract: A system for storing and delivering a predetermined amount of fluid includes a syringe including a barrel, a flange disposed at the proximal end of the barrel, and a plunger assembly configured to be received in the lumen of the barrel. The plunger assembly includes a piston and a plunger rod. The plunger rod is removably couplable to the piston at the distal end of the plunger rod and includes a thumb press flange at the proximal end of the plunger rod. The system further includes a stop feature that is removably couplable to the syringe or the plunger assembly. The stop feature is configured to arrest distal advancement of the plunger assembly relative to the syringe when the plunger assembly reaches a predetermined position relative to the syringe. The stop thus ensures that a predetermined amount of fluid remains in the barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering therapeutic agent to an eye comprises a body, a cannula, a hollow needle, an actuation assembly, and a detection/visualization system. The cannula extends distally from the body and is sized and configured to be insertable between a choroid and a sclera of a patient's eye. The actuation assembly is operable to actuate the needle relative to the cannula to thereby drive a distal portion of the needle along an exit axis. The cannula may be inserted through a sclerotomy incision and advanced through the choroid to deliver the therapeutic agent adjacent to the potential space between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium layer. The detection/visualization system is operable to detect or visualize penetration of the choroid of a patient's eye and provide feedback to the operator and/or automatic control of the apparatus based on penetration of the choroid.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering therapeutic agent to an eye comprises a body, a cannula, a hollow needle, and an actuation assembly. The cannula extends distally from the body and is sized and configured to be insertable between a choroid and a sclera of a patient's eye. The actuation assembly is operable to actuate the needle relative to the cannula to thereby drive a distal portion of the needle along an exit axis that is obliquely oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. The cannula may be inserted through a sclerotomy incision to position a distal end of the cannula at a posterior region of the eye, between the choroid and sclera. The needle may be advanced through the choroid to deliver the therapeutic agent adjacent to the potential space between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium layer, adjacent to the area of geographic atrophy.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering therapeutic agent to an eye comprises a body, a cannula, a hollow needle, and an actuation assembly. The cannula extends distally from the body and is sized and configured to be insertable between a choroid and a sclera of a patient's eye. The actuation assembly is operable to actuate the needle relative to the cannula to thereby drive a distal portion of the needle along an exit axis that is obliquely oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. The cannula may be inserted through a sclerotomy incision to position a distal end of the cannula at a posterior region of the eye, between the choroid and sclera. The needle may be advanced through the choroid to deliver the therapeutic agent adjacent to the potential space between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium layer, adjacent to the area of geographic atrophy.

Abstract: A system for storing and delivering a predetermined amount of fluid includes a syringe including a barrel, a flange disposed at the proximal end of the barrel, and a plunger assembly configured to be received in the lumen of the barrel. The plunger assembly includes a piston and a plunger rod. The plunger rod is removably couplable to the piston at the distal end of the plunger rod and includes a thumb press flange at the proximal end of the plunger rod. The system further includes a stop feature that is removably couplable to the syringe or the plunger assembly. The stop feature is configured to arrest distal advancement of the plunger assembly relative to the syringe when the plunger assembly reaches a predetermined position relative to the syringe. The stop thus ensures that a predetermined amount of fluid remains in the barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering therapeutic agent to an eye includes a body, a cannula, a hollow needle, and an actuation assembly. The cannula extends distally from the body and is sized and configured to be insertable between a choroid and a sclera of a patient's eye. The actuation assembly is operable to actuate the needle relative to the cannula to thereby drive a distal portion of the needle along an exit axis that is obliquely oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. The cannula may be inserted through a sclerotomy incision to position a distal end of the cannula at a posterior region of the eye, between the choroid and sclera. The needle may be advanced through the choroid to deliver the therapeutic agent adjacent to the potential space between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium layer, adjacent to the area of geographic atrophy.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first fluid conduit, a second fluid conduit, a connector member, an first tubular member, a second tubular member, and an inner cannula. The connector member has first and second passageways in which the first and second fluid conduits are positioned, respectively. A portion of the second tubular member is positioned within the lumen of the first tubular member. A proximal portion of the inner cannula is fixedly secured within the lumen of the first tubular member. The inner cannula lumen is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid conduits via the lumen of the first tubular member and the lumen of the second tubular member. The inner cannula may be inserted into the subretinal space of a human eye to deliver a leading bleb of fluid and then deliver a therapeutic agent, without having to withdraw the inner cannula from the subretinal space between the acts of delivering the leading bleb delivering the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A method includes inserting a flexible cannula between a sclera and a choroid of an eye. The needle is advanced from a distal end of the flexible cannula, such that the needle pierces the choroid to access a subretinal space of the eye. The needle is used to aspirate fluid from the subretinal space. The fluid may be present from a retinal detachment, a macular hemorrhage, or other condition present before the procedure begins. The method may further include injecting the fluid in the subretinal space via the needle, in which case the fluid may be a balanced salt solution or other bleb fluid. The method may further include injecting a therapeutic agent into the subretinal space after aspirating the bleb fluid. The volume of injected bleb fluid may be greater than the volume of injected therapeutic agent.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a cannula, a conduit, and a magnetic element. The cannula extends distally from the body. The cannula is flexible and has a distal end. The cannula defines a lumen distally terminating at the distal end. The cannula is sized and configured to pass between a sclera layer and a choroid layer in a human eye. The conduit is in fluid communication with the lumen. The magnetic element is positioned in the body.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first fluid conduit, a second fluid conduit, a connector member, an first tubular member, a second tubular member, and an inner cannula. The connector member has first and second passageways in which the first and second fluid conduits are positioned, respectively. A portion of the second tubular member is positioned within the lumen of the first tubular member. A proximal portion of the inner cannula is fixedly secured within the lumen of the first tubular member. The inner cannula lumen is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid conduits via the lumen of the first tubular member and the lumen of the second tubular member. The inner cannula may be inserted into the subretinal space of a human eye to deliver a leading bleb of fluid and then deliver a therapeutic agent, without having to withdraw the inner cannula from the subretinal space between the acts of delivering the leading bleb delivering the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body and a pair of rigid legs extending from the body. The body includes an engagement feature configured to engage a deployment instrument. The legs are parallel with each other. Each leg has a sharp tip. The legs both extend along a plane. The body defines a guide opening. The guide opening is oriented transversely relative to the plane associated with the legs. The guide opening is sized to receive a cannula having a generally flat profile. The guide opening is configured to guide the cannula through a sclerotomy at a substantially tangential orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a pad assembly, an injector assembly, an injector driver, and a fluid source. The pad assembly is sized and configured to be placed on a forehead of a patient. The injector assembly includes a body, a flexible cannula, and a needle. The body is configured to be removably secured to the pad assembly. The cannula is sized to be inserted through an incision in an eye of a patient. The needle is slidably disposed in the cannula. The injector driver is operable to drive the needle longitudinally relative to the flexible cannula. The fluid source assembly is in fluid communication with the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a cannula, and a needle. The cannula is flexible and extends distally from the body. The needle is slidably disposed in the cannula. The needle includes a sharp distal tip and a curved portion. The needle is configured to translate relative to the cannula between a proximal position and a distal position. The distal tip is configured to be positioned inside the cannula when the needle is in the proximal position. The distal tip is configured to be positioned outside the cannula when the needle is in the distal position. The needle is resiliently biased to extend along a curve through the curved portion.

Abstract: A system for storing and delivering a predetermined amount of fluid includes a syringe including a barrel, a flange disposed at the proximal end of the barrel, and a plunger assembly configured to be received in the lumen of the barrel. The plunger assembly includes a piston and a plunger rod. The plunger rod is removably couplable to the piston at the distal end of the plunger rod and includes a thumb press flange at the proximal end of the plunger rod. The system further includes a stop feature that is removably couplable to the syringe or the plunger assembly. The stop feature is configured to arrest distal advancement of the plunger assembly relative to the syringe when the plunger assembly reaches a predetermined position relative to the syringe. The stop thus ensures that a predetermined amount of fluid remains in the barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering therapeutic agent to an eye comprises a body, a cannula, a hollow needle, an actuation assembly, and a detection/visualization system. The cannula extends distally from the body and is sized and configured to be insertable between a choroid and a sclera of a patient's eye. The actuation assembly is operable to actuate the needle relative to the cannula to thereby drive a distal portion of the needle along an exit axis. The cannula may be inserted through a sclerotomy incision and advanced through the choroid to deliver the therapeutic agent adjacent to the potential space between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium layer. The detection/visualization system is operable to detect or visualize penetration of the choroid of a patient's eye and provide feedback to the operator and/or automatic control of the apparatus based on penetration of the choroid.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first fluid conduit, a second fluid conduit, a connector member, an first tubular member, a second tubular member, and an inner cannula. The connector member has first and second passageways in which the first and second fluid conduits are positioned, respectively. A portion of the second tubular member is positioned within the lumen of the first tubular member. A proximal portion of the inner cannula is fixedly secured within the lumen of the first tubular member. The inner cannula lumen is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid conduits via the lumen of the first tubular member and the lumen of the second tubular member. The inner cannula may be inserted into the subretinal space of a human eye to deliver a leading bleb of fluid and then deliver a therapeutic agent, without having to withdraw the inner cannula from the subretinal space between the acts of delivering the leading bleb delivering the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering therapeutic agent to an eye comprises a body, a cannula, a hollow needle, and an actuation assembly. The cannula extends distally from the body and is sized and configured to be insertable between a choroid and a sclera of a patient's eye. The actuation assembly is operable to actuate the needle relative to the cannula to thereby drive a distal portion of the needle along an exit axis that is obliquely oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. The cannula may be inserted through a sclerotomy incision to position a distal end of the cannula at a posterior region of the eye, between the choroid and sclera. The needle may be advanced through the choroid to deliver the therapeutic agent adjacent to the potential space between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium layer, adjacent to the area of geographic atrophy.

Abstract: The present invention preferably provides for a method of forming and the resulting solid polymer gel composition comprising polyethylene imine and at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. The composition has a greater viscosity than either of the polyethylene imine or the hydrogen bonding polymer alone and is injectable immediately after mixing of the polyethylene imine and the at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. A method of tissue repair may include mixing about 9.25% (w/w) to about 13.65% (w/w) polyethylene imine and about 18.02% (w/w) to about 26.62% (w/w) polyvinyl alcohol to form an injectable composition; injecting the injectable composition into a cavity within a human body; and allowing the composition to solidify in situ. A kit may include a multi-barrel syringe at least one barrel is loaded with polyethylene imine and at least another barrel is loaded with at least one hydrogen bonding polymer.

Abstract: A method of forming and the resulting hydrogel composition comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) at a final concentration of about 20% (w/w) to about 65% (w/w) and polyethylene glycol at a final concentration of about 2% (w/w) to about 20% (w/w), wherein the hydrogel composition has a total polymer content, above about 30% (w/w), higher than the total polymer content of a precursor polymer solution formulated prior to the formulation of the hydrogel composition. The hydrogel composition may further comprise poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) at a final concentration of about 0.10% (w/w) to about 0.75% (w/w).

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing or supplementing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disk is an expandable container having flexible walls, the container being adapted to be inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk through a narrow cannula, and the flexible walls are made from a biocompatible hydrogel. A preferred hydrogel is a cryogel formed from an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The prosthesis may be prepared by dip-coating a mandrel with an aqueous solution of a hydrogel-forming polymer or mixture of such polymers, gelling the coated solution by chilling, and subjecting the gelled coating to a series of repeated freeze-thaw treatments. In use, the prosthesis is inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk and filled with biocompatible material, e.g., a biocompatible liquid, a biocompatible polymer, and a biocompatible hydrogel, particularly a thermogelling hydrogel.