A SYNTHETIC OPHTHALMIC GRAFT PATCH

Abstract

The present invention provides synthetic ophthalmic graft patches, including devices comprising them, and uses thereof in ophthalmic tissue replacement therapies and ophthalmic tissue reconstruction/regeneration therapies.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A method of replacing and/or reconstructing and/or regenerating of ophthalmic tissue; said method comprising implanting a synthetic ophthalmic graft patch having a porous polymeric structure with pores of less than 5 microns.

14. A method of replacing and/or reconstructing and/or regenerating of ophthalmic tissue; said method comprising implanting a synthetic ophthalmic graft patch having a porous polymeric structure with pores of between 5 to 20 microns.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein said synthetic ophthalmic graft patch is a biocompatible patch.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein said synthetic ophthalmic graft patch is a biodegradable patch.

17. A method according to claim 13, wherein said synthetic ophthalmic graft patch has a thickness of between 50 to 250 microns.

18. A method according to claim 13, wherein said synthetic ophthalmic graft patch has a thickness of between 250 to 2500 microns.

19. A method according to claim 13, wherein said porous polymeric structure comprises at least one polymer.

20. A method according to claim 13, wherein said porous polymeric structure comprises nanofibers.

21. A method according to claim 13, wherein said porous polymeric structure comprises at least one porous electrospun polymer.

22. A method according to claim 13, wherein said porous polymeric structure comprises at least one polymer selected from poly(DTE carbonate) polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), Poly(DL-lactide-co-caprolactone, Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) vinyl acetate, Poly(methyl methacrylate), Poly(propylene carbonate), Poly(vinylidene fluoride), Polyacrylonitrile, Polycaprolactone, Polycarbomethylsilane, Polylactic acid, Polystyrene, Polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly vinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), hyaluronic acid (HA), chitosan, alginate, polyhydroxybuyrate and its copolymers, Nylon 11, Cellulose acetate, hydroxyappetite, poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid), poly(DL-lactide), polycaprolactone, and poly(L-lactide) or any combination thereof.

23. A method according to claim 13, wherein said synthetic ophthalmic graft patch further comprises at least one active agent.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0037] FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C show a scheme of a synthetic ophthalmic graft patch of the invention wherein its capacity in eyelid tarsus supplement procedures.

[0038] FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D show an omega shaped synthetic ophthalmic graft patch of the invention used to cover an implantable device, such as a tube glaucoma shunt.

[0039] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0040] FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C shows the synthetic ophthalmic graft patch of the invention wherein its capacity in eyelid tarsus supplement procedures. FIG. 1A-1C shows a synthetic ophthalmic graft patch of the invention (101, 102 and 106) in the form of at least a part of the eyelid of a patient in need thereof, made of an electrospun porous polymeric structure (103, 107 and 109). The synthetic ophthalmic graft patch of the invention is shown in 102 and 106 wherein the anterior electro spun matrix (105) is peeled off (for visualization purposes only), showing the underlying rigid, synthetic, artificial tarsus (104 and 108).

[0041] FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D show an omega shaped synthetic ophthalmic graft patch of the invention (201, 203 and in cross section 202 and 206) made an electrospun porous polymeric structure (205) which is formed to cover within its curved space (205, 207) an implantable device, such as a tube glaucoma shunt. Using such a synthetic ophthalmic graft patch of the invention, allows the sunt to be implemented in place without the need of a donor graft tissue, having higher degree of implantation success. The omega shaped synthetic ophthalmic graft patch of the invention is placed in position using also the optional flat bottom part (204 and 208).

[0042] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.