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Testing the Reliability of an Intraocular Drug Delivery Device
Background: Retinal diseases such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy are leading causes of irreversible blindness globally, despite the availability of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatments. Current therapeutic protocols involve monthly intraocular injections of anti-VEGF agents, which impose a significant burden on patients and contribute to suboptimal treatment adherence. Genentech’s SUSVIMO, a titanium-based device implanted in the conjunctiva, offers a bi-annual refill schedule, dispensing ranibizumab over six months. However, its usage is associated with risks, including ocular infections, retinal detachment, implant dislocation, and hemorrhage. Our research aims to develop an improved intraocular device made from biocompatible silicone, designed to minimize these adverse effects while ensuring continuous medication delivery. The implantation procedure parallels cataract surgery, positioning the device within the ocular lens capsule. This approach leverages the need for cataract surgery in patients with progressive retinal diseases, allowing simultaneous implantation of the drug delivery device alongside an artificial intraocular lens. The device is refillable every six months, facilitating continuous diffusion of medication to the retina. Methods: We used the cataract surgery technique to implant our intraocular silicone device into an artificial lens capsule. Three different injector prototypes were tested for device implantation reliability by conducting ten trials for each prototype injector. Results: Device insertion reliability proved to be more successful using the type-2 injector prototype, due to less likelihood of the device ripping while pressure was applied to eject the device into the lens capsule. Conclusion: Our device has the potential to become an efficient intraocular drug delivery system that will benefit patients with progressive retinal diseases that require monthly injections of anti-VEGF. More testing is required in live animal models to determine the device medication diffusion rate and dependability.