Treatment of age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is treated by radiation delivered from a miniature x-ray tube inserted via a catheter around the globe of the eye, to a position behind the macula. The process can employ an applicator with several parallel guides, inserted around the eye to receive the catheter with x-ray tube (or an isotope) at a matrix of different positions. Methods are described for properly locating the catheter and x-ray tube, using illumination on the catheter and viewing through the front of the eye, or sensors on the catheter and a scanned beam shone from the front of the eye. Fluorescent material excited by x-rays can also be used. Also described are methods and devices for immobilizing the probe once properly located in the eye, for standoff of the x-ray tube from the target tissue, and for achieving prescription radiation dose in the choroid while eliminating dose to adjacent tissues. The x-ray treatment can be enhanced using a radiosensitizing drug, and can be combined with PDT.
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/635,421, filed Aug. 6, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention concerns treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the eye, and in particular concerns use of radiation to treat such macular degeneration, the radiation being administered from behind the sclera. Treatment of ocular tumors also forms a part of the invention.
Wet age-related macular degeneration has been the leading cause of blindness in the United States, and a leading cause in the world. It is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels from the choroidal membrane at the back of the eye, in the macular area of the retina including the fovea and immediately surrounding regions. This is called “choroidal neovascularization” (CNV). The term “wet” refers to the fact that these abnormal blood vessels leak and damage the macula, causing central vision distortion. Thus, the highest resolution vision of the patient is severely compromised or lost.
Approximately ten percent of AMD cases comprise wet AMD, and this is the type which can lead to blindness. Dry AMD comprises approximately ninety percent of AMD cases, but a certain percentage of these (approximately ten percent) eventually progress to wet AMD.
Of wet AMD patients, approximately seventy percent of these cases are classic wet AMD, while approximately thirty percent are what is known as occult AMD. In both cases CNV occurs, invading the choroid and the space above the choroid with proliferating blood vessels which cause damage. In the case of classic AMD, the new blood vessels remain essentially intact, while in occult AMD the blood vessels leak, form a somewhat amorphous mass, and obscure the ability of a physician to see the vessel through an ophthalmoscope. Thus, any treatment aimed specifically at these vessels, requiring visual identification and location of the vessels, fails for occult AMD.
There have been several approaches to treatment of wet AMD. In both photodynamic therapy (PDT) and transpupillary thermal therapy (TTT) laser beams are used, directed through the front of the eye. These have had varying degrees of effectiveness, with PDT generally being the more effective of the two. In PDT, the treatment consists of a administering photosensitizing dye followed by laser treatment, which sensitizes the dye to affect the CNV condition. Results of both TTT and PDT have been less than ideal. With PDT, based on one study, only 15% of AMD patients would meet the Macular Photocoagulation Study Group (MPSG) guidelines for treatment; thus, most AMD patients would not benefit from this treatment. In addition, the cost for this treatment has been extremely high and its cost effectiveness is in question.
It is also noted that although the FDA recommends PDT treatment of patients with predominantly classic choroidal neovascular lesions from AMD, in most cases neovascularization recurred within three months. Thus, patients will probably need three to four treatments per year for this therapy to be effective, and the treatment basically preserves vision rather than improves visual acuity.
Researchers have discovered that x-ray radiation can be effective in treating CNV. Radiation has been administered from external sources, through the temple area, and also via brachytherapy using “plaques” which support radioisotope pellets, these plaques being implanted onto the back side of the eye, against the sclera, by insertion around the exterior of the sclera. These implanted plaques have been left in position for a prescribed duration of time, e.g. about 30 hours, or a range of about 18 to 65 hours, the time necessary to derive a radiation dose of about 17 Gy. Results of one study showed stabilization or sight improvement in about 45% of treated patients. After a seven year follow up, no sight-limiting radiation complications were noted in any patients. Thus, x-ray radiation, particularly administered by brachytherapy, is known to have some efficacy in the stabilization and improvement of the CNV condition of macular degeneration.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,881, issued to Paul Finger, describes use of these plaques and methods for locating the plaques using light sources mounted on the plaques.
External beam treatment is difficult and generally limited to highly specialized practitioners, with capital cost for equipment very high. This treatment is difficult for several reasons, including inability to produce a very small beam specific to the target, location of the beam precisely on the target, radiation damage to other structures, including brain tissue, and avoidance of irradiating the optic nerve and retna.
In addition to other limitations discussed above, the use of isotopes is not ideal. They are extremely limited as to choices of specific activity of the isotopes, as well as energy. Further, the isotopes must be shielded during emplacement for brachytherapy, as well as shielded directionally to protect adjacent structures, since the isotopes are isotropic emitters.
A much improved treatment for CNV of macular degeneration would be a controllable x-ray source which can be placed minimally adjacent to the macula, with accurate placement, with reliably accurate directional emission, and which can be controlled as to depth of radiation penetration as well as dose. These are objects of the present invention described below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention is a method and device by which a miniature x-ray source is inserted around the globe of the eye, minimally invasively, to locate the source directly adjacent to the macula, behind the eye and against the sclera. Only the thin membrane, the conjunctiva, that forms the interface between the eye socket and the globe of the eye from the outside world is slit to allow insertion of the source or a guide. The miniature x-ray tube is switchable off/on as well as controllable, in preferred embodiments, as to voltage (penetration) and current (dose). Insertion of the source is via a catheter/probe which is inserted around the globe to the back of the eye and positioned adjacent to the target tissue. The miniature x-ray tube within the catheter may be on the order of about 1 mm in diameter with a length of approximately 7 mm (although dimensions can vary and the eye could accept larger dimensions). By this device, a therapeutic dose of ionizing radiation is delivered to the abnormal vessels in the choroid layer. This therapeutic radiation tends to seal or close the bleeding vessels through a process that causes vessel fibrosis. Adjacent tissue cells which are not actively proliferating are less affected by the radiation, as is well known.
An important advantage of delivering ionizing radiation from the back of the eye is that a therapeutic dose can be given to the lesion without damaging structures of the eye, i.e. the lens, retina and optic nerve. The membranes at the back of the eye are relatively radioresistant.
The invention encompasses a method and means for accurate location of the catheter or probe and x-ray tube behind the eye. Several different guidance techniques can be used. In accordance with one technique a bump or ridge is provided on the probe or on the guide, forming a moving mound on the retina, as the device is manipulated, visible to the physician from the front of the eye. This provides a fiducial for the physician to accurately locate the anode end of the x-ray tube. Another approach is using light or invisible radiation, directed from the front of the eye, as a tool to locate the probe either spatially or temporally. As one example, a light emitting device from the front of the eye can generate a series of expanding rings of light. These can be sensed by a plurality of sensors on the exterior of the probe, the tissues from the retina to the back of the sclera being relatively translucent. Even though the rings of light will be somewhat scattered when reaching these sensors, their peaks can be detected and averaged to give the center of each to reveal sufficient information when fed back to the console to determine which direction the probe should be moved to effectively center the device and align the radiation source to the macula.
Infrared radiation can be used advantageously in location of the probe. IR can be directed in from the front of the eye, invisible to the patient and thus not uncomfortable to the patient, and this radiation will penetrate through the retina, choroid and sclera to the sensors on the device.
Another alignment device can have light sources positioned on the probe itself, as in the Finger patent referenced above. By the invention these light sources can be cleaved optical fibers or polished fibers with redirecting reflectors at the fiber ends (microprisms), with the origin of the light being back in the console. These fiber ends can serve as “headlights” to locate the probe by reference to the position of the light sources as they appear from the front of the eye. Other variations can include color gradations shone through the front of the eye, a grid of light patterns, or other devices involving the sensing of light from either the probe or from the front of the eye. A modified embodiment uses fluorescence of a material struck by the x-rays to enable seeing the location of the x-ray beam by looking into the front of the eye. A fluorescence material could be put into the blood or the ocular fluid to fluoresce with short bursts of x-ray radiation to locate the device. Alternatively, the tube itself can have a fluorescing material, to glow when excited by x-rays and visually locate the probe.
With the invention the radiation dose and depth can be matched to the prescription for the CNV condition, while minimizing radiation to healthy adjacent structures. Several parameters are adjustable to achieve this. In addition, the x-ray tube in the probe preferably is made directional, and an ideal window of radiation can be provided for the treatment as desired, relative to the distance of the treatment area and the width of the treatment area as seen from the x-ray tube.
Filtration of the x-ray beam from the miniature tube can be put in place if needed. This can greatly reduce low-energy emissions (i.e. “hardening” the beam), thus reducing dose in the near field, i.e. the sclera, where radiation is not desired. This in combination with standoff of the source after placement and adjustment of voltage, enables optimizing dose to the choroid, sclera and retina.
It is important that the probe be immobilized during treatment. Several methods can be used. The “bump” on the probe device described above can be inflatable, thus being inserted flattened but inflated (with liquid) when near the macula. Further inflation can help hold the probe against the adjacent tissues (and also stands the source off from the tissue as described below). Another inflatable balloon can be at the back side of the probe, and a further balloon(s) can be located on the probe proximal to the x-ray source for further immobilization of the probe.
In a variation of the probe as described above, the device first inserted around the globe of the eye is a guide device or applicator, wide and flat and with two, three or more parallel channels or guides within which a probe with an x-ray source can be inserted. This allows the treatment to be administered in steps at many different positions, to reduce the dose to the immediately adjacent sclera while maintaining the desired dose to the macula. The on positions of a switchable x-ray source can be stepped in a pattern such as a 3×3 grid, or with continuous pullback. A similar procedure can be carried out with isotopes (if desired the isotope would be shielded except during application and would be continuously pulled back). The applicator or guide device can have one or more immobilizing devices as described above, and it can have any of the various precision loading devices and methods also described above.
Another aspect of the invention is that drugs can be used to enhance the effectiveness of the radiation treatment, thus allowing lower radiation doses to be administered. Similar to the concept of PDT described above, radiation-enhancing drugs can be administered systemically, causing the irradiated regions to be more sensitive to radiation, but having no (or limited) effect on the body tissues in non-irradiated areas.
It is therefore among the objects of the invention to improve radiation therapy as a treatment for wet exudive macular degeneration, by use of a probe having a controllable radiation source which can be accurately located behind the macula for accurate delivery of the radiation. These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be understood from the following description of preferred embodiments, considered along with the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The fovea 28 is at the center of the macular region 16, which is typically considered as a region of about 5 to 6 mm in diameter around the fovea (including the foveola, fovea, parafoveal and perifoveal regions). As
Vacuum, i.e. suction against tissues, can also be used to immobilize the device after it is properly located. Suction can be applied through a separate lumen (not shown) in the catheter, and can be applied via openings on the protrusion 32a or 33, spreading the suction over a relatively wide area.
In
Alternatively, the grid shown in
Another method for indicating and confirming position of the x-ray source behind the eye is to provide a means of seeing the x-ray radiation itself, or seeing evidence of the x-ray radiation, by looking into the front of the eye. This method could involve fluorescence, of a casing or guide device around the x-ray source, or of a medically acceptable substance put into the blood stream, which substance fluoresces when absorbing x-ray radiation. Such a substance could be injected into the intraocular space.
Another way of producing a fluorescing indicator is to use the x-ray tube itself or a transmissive plate or coating on the x-ray tube, as a substance which will fluoresce when struck by x-rays. The applicant has found that sintered aluminum nitride will fluoresce when excited by x-ray radiation.
The x-ray therapy of the invention can be used in conjunction with photodynamic therapy, as mentioned above. By using the two therapies simultaneously (or closely in time to one another), the disruption caused by PDT can be synergistically complemented by radiation therapy. PDT essentially causes a disruption of the capillaries of the choroid layer by a photoactive chemical substance as explained in U.S. Pat. No. 6,548,542 (col. 4, 1.61-col. 5, 1.4), incorporated herein by reference. The photo-activated substance is thought to break down cellular structures and other effects as noted in the '542 patent, resulting in occlusion of the CNV vasculature. X-ray radiation delivered in conjunction with PDT can help remediate AMD in two ways: first, the direct effect is to disable rapidly dividing cells, thus reducing the population of cells which can cause the problem by growing new inappropriate vessels (CNV), and secondarily, the radiation assists in the effects of the PDT by preventing the repair response which naturally follows the PDT treatment.
The invention also encompasses use of radiosensitizing substances in the blood vessels to enhance their sensitivity to radiation. This is the subject of copending application Ser. No. 09/851,372, filed May 7, 2001, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. That copending application is directed primarily at a combination of radiation and radiosensitizer delivery devices to inhibit hyperplasia following balloon angioplasty. The application discloses radiosensitizers such as taxol, misonidazole, metronidazole, etanidazole, 5-fluorouracil, texaphyran, C225 (an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody), and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor. In the present invention, a radiosensitizer such as one of these substances is put into the blood in an effective amount to sensitize the cells in the choroid layer such that a lower dose of x-ray radiation via the probe of the invention can be administered.
As noted above, the multiple channels or guides allow an x-ray source, which can be either a switchable x-ray tube or an isotope, to be indexed to a number of different dose delivery positions within a grid or matrix of positions, thus enabling a more evenly distributed dose to the macular region, and allowing better control of the distribution of radiation. Translation of the radiation source behind the sclera to multiple positions for dose delivery reduces the dose to the sclera while maintaining the desired dose to the macula. Comparison can be made to the first embodiment,
The positions at which the radiation dose is delivered could be stepped in a pattern such as a 3×3 grid, or with continuous pullback in each guide channel. This could be done for isotopes as well as for switchable x-ray sources. The applicator 90, 90a acts as a guide device with several channels or guides within the region of interest. The entire guide assembly can be thin and compact to allow insertion and positioning. If desired the guide assembly can be shrunk smaller for insertion then subjected to fluid pressure that expands the guide to provide lateral separation for the channels or guide tracts, tracks after positioning.
The source guides or channels 92, 94, 96 are essentially linear, except to curve around the exterior of the eye, and they allow either stepped treatment or continuous pullback. The plurality of parallel guide channels are relatively close to each other, such as a few millimeters spacing at centers. A larger separation could also be used, where the guide channels are positioned farther apart and the source could be rotated appropriately in each channel to point toward the macula. A keyway in each guide (92, 94, 96) can be provided to orient the source correctly toward the macula, the orientation being different in each channel.
If a prescription radiation dose is delivered to the macula from a single position (as in
Isotopes can be used with the multiple-guide channel device described above. A probe or catheter with an isotope can deliver a prescription dose by pullback at a prescribed rate in each of the multiple guide channels in succession, the probe being withdrawn and inserted at a very rapid rate through the guide channels between and after applications. If desired, however, shielding can be used. In one form, the end of each guide can comprise a shield, which will be positioned just beyond the region to be irradiated. In another form of shielding, the probe can include a shield that is deployable by manipulation at the exterior site of the device, to avoid any radiation to regions not to be treated.
The applicator described above can be produced of a biocompatible material, such as medical grade silicone, HYTREL or PEBAX marketed by Dupont, or other similar materials.
The applicators shown in
The multiple positions of the catheter in each guide or channel can be effected manually, or more preferably, by an automated and programmed device. The catheter, whether it carries a switchable x-ray tube or an isotope, can be moved in steps or continuously within an applicator guide, and can be rotated to different rotational orientations, if desired, in accordance with a program. If the catheter is used without an applicator, the x-ray source can be manipulated in X and Y directions, and also rotationally, if desired, using a similar programmed device.
The applicator as positioned and manipulated by the automated translation device 116 can include a single guide channel for the catheter having the radiation source, or it can be without guides, simply manipulating the catheter in an appropriate configuration to permit such manipulation. It should also be pointed out that Y-direction movement, if desired, could be achieved with the translation device 116 in connection with a multiple-guide channel applicator such as shown in
In
The apparatus and method of the invention also can be used to treat ocular tumors or tumors adjacent to the globe of the eye, with radiation. The same catheter is used, (with or without a guide device), with a switchable source, for tumors at different locations in the ocular tissue. The source preferably is a directional source, and correct rotational orientation can be assured with a pre-inserted applicator that has a cross sectional shape keyed to that of the catheter.
The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its scope. Other embodiments and variations to this preferred embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims
1-43. (canceled)
44. A method for inserting and correctly locating an applicator having parallel guides by insertion peripherally around the globe of the eye, for therapeutic treatment of the eye, comprising locating the applicator behind the macular region by activating light sources on the applicator, and viewing the light sources using an optical instrument from the front of the eye, the light sources being visible through the sclera, choroid and retina.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the light sources at the probe or applicator comprise optical fibers receiving light from a source of illumination at a console to which the fibers are connected.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein the optical fibers have angularly cleaved ends as said light sources of the probe or applicator.
47. A method for inserting and correctly locating a therapeutic probe or applicator by insertion around the globe of the eye, for therapeutic treatment of the eye, comprising locating the distal end of the probe or applicator behind the macular region by directing a preselected pattern of light toward the retina from the front of the eye, and detecting the pattern of light using detectors located near the distal end of the probe or applicator, in such a way as to indicate a direction of movement for correction of the position of the probe or applicator.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the pattern of light comprises repeated expanding rings of light.
49. The method of claim 47, wherein the pattern of light comprises a grid of light lines illuminated sequentially.
50. The method of claim 47, wherein the pattern of light comprises a color gradation pattern, with color indicating location.
51. The method of claim 47, wherein the pattern of light comprises a moving pattern of light and the method includes temporally sensing the position of the probe or applicator by reference to the moving pattern.
52. A method for inserting and correctly locating a therapeutic probe or applicator by insertion peripherally around the globe of the eye, for therapeutic treatment of the eye, comprising locating the distal end of the probe or applicator by a protrusion in the surface of the probe or applicator, near its distal end, and the method including viewing the retina from the front of the eye as the probe or applicator is inserted, thus observing a protrusion in the retina caused by the protrusion on the probe or applicator, until the probe or applicator is properly positioned.
53-62. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 12, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 11, 2007
Inventors: Michael Forman (Los Gatos, CA), Paul Lovoi (Saratoga, CA), Peter Smith (Half Moon Bay, CA)
Application Number: 11/520,400
International Classification: A61N 5/00 (20060101); A61N 5/02 (20060101); A61B 19/00 (20060101);