Refilling mechanism to stabilize a free-floating intraocular capsule drug ring

This work discusses several ways to grab and refill an intraocular drug device targeting age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The capsule drug ring (CDR) is an implantable device that stores and releases drug inside the lens capsule. Since an intraocular lens (IOL) is placed in the lens capsule during cataract surgery, a CDR can be put on the unused periphery between the IOL and the lens capsule. The objective of the refilling mechanism is to stabilize a free-floating CDR to allow penetration through the refilling ports. Two ports at each end of the CDR allow the reservoir to be refilled with bevacizumab (Avastin) every six months to one year. Some mechanisms are added on the CDR to achieve a refillable CDR. Several grabbing mechanisms are discussed and tested in this work. The 23-gauge refilling device includes a 30-gauge needle, used to penetrate the ports and inject Avastin into the CDR reservoir. Grasping, vacuum tubing, and lasso devices have been tested to stabilize and refill the CDR: These three concepts were compared and chosen to explore the possibilities of the superior lasso device. Therefore several lasso devices were tested and simplified for use. Finally, possible future modifications to the refilling devices are discussed.