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Abstract

Abstract: EyeLab Group proposes to continue research and development of a sustained time-release medication delivery insert for the eye. A device with a small reservoir will be placed in the lacrimal punctum in the upper lid, a minor tear drainage pathway, and deliver its medication(s) onto the surface of the eye. Its advantages are a degree of therapeutic assurance not possible with the standard ophthalmic drug formulation eye drops. First, delivery of the medication is assured, eliminating the compliance problem, the foremost concern in medical management of diseases requiring continuing use of medications, like glaucoma, a major cause of blindness in the United States. Second, the required medication concentration inside the eye is assured, eliminating both the initial peak concentration after an eye drop is instilled and the decrease over time, which can result in inadequate control in diseases like glaucoma. Third, by minimizing the amount of drug used, the risk of systemic side effects will be reduced. The research design aims to demonstrate in prototypes feasibility for controlling intraocular pressure in human volunteer patients with the diagnosis of open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension by this novel route of drug delivery, and to initiate steps to commercialization. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: NOT AVAILABLE

Thesaurus Terms:
biomedical equipment development, drug delivery system, eye agent, glaucoma, implant, slow release drug
hypertension, intraocular aqueous flow, intraocular pressure
clinical research, fluorimetry, human subject

Institution:	EYELAB GROUP, LLC
	2350 WASHTENAW AVE
	ANN ARBOR, MI 48104
Fiscal Year:	2002
Department:
Project Start:	01-JUL-2001
Project End:	30-JUN-2003
ICD:	NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
IRG:	ZRG1