Microneedles in the eyes
Medicines for the eyes have learned to deliver with the help of soluble needles
Alexey Yevglevsky, Naked Science
Researchers from Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) have come up with and demonstrated a new way of delivering drugs inside the eye. Their work is published in the journal Nature Communications (Than et al., Self-implantable double-layered micro-drug-reservoirs for efficient and controlled ocular drug delivery).
Now there are two types of treatment of eye diseases, in addition to direct operations: drops and intravitreal injections – the introduction of drugs with a needle directly into the vitreous body. Each of them is imperfect and has its weaknesses: the first is less effective, and the second is dangerous. To find a compromise, scientists have come up with a way that should solve both problems.
They called their invention double-layered microplasma reservoirs (double-layered micro-drug-reservoirs).
The principle of operation of the invention
(drawings from an article in Nature Communications)
It consists of two parts, or rather, of two layers. The first layer is a flat base that serves as a carrier for the second – tiny needles containing the drug. It turns out a miniature plate, one side of which is dotted with small needles. The authors claim that it is extremely simple to apply it: it is enough to "press your finger quickly and gently". The needles enter the protective surface of the corneal tissue and detach from the surface after about 30 seconds. Then the plate is removed, and the remaining needles in the eye slowly dissolve, releasing the drug.
The release of two antibodies (immunoglobulins G), colored red and green, in agarose gel at different rates, depending on the composition of microneedles. The scale size is 200 microns.
To demonstrate the technology, the authors tested it on mice. According to them, when administered, they did not record any damage to the eye and did not observe any signs of pain from the animals. With the help of microplates, they treated corneal neovascularization – pathological growth of corneal vessels due to various injuries, such as burns or infection. Experts noted that thanks to the new method, they were able to cure 90 percent of the neovascular area.
The authors are optimistic and expect human clinical trials in the near future. They believe that this method will help patients to be treated effectively at home.
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