Cagri Besirli MD, Ph.D., Kevin Pipe, Ph.D.
The ability to deliver medication directly into the eye via intravitreal injection therapy (IVT) has transformed the treatment landscape of a number of previously blinding diseases, including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The success of these therapies in preventing blindness has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of intravitreal injections performed, with an estimated 4.1 million injections given in the United States alone in 2013. The injections are typically preceded by anesthesia predominantly administered via either a subconjunctival injection or cotton swabs soaked in anesthetic and held on the eye for several minutes. These anesthetic procedures are unnerving and uncomfortable for patients, pose constraints on the number of patients treated due to time to anesthetic onset, and increase the occurrence of ocular surface bleeding which can occur with any injection into the highly vascularized ocular tissue.
In light of this need, Cagri Besirli MD, Ph.D., Kevin Pipe Ph.D., and Stephen Smith MD and their colleagues have designed a device to deliver ultra-rapid ocular anesthesia and vasoconstriction through the use of flash cooling of the surface of the eye at the injection site. The hand-held battery-operated device has the potential to provide anesthesia in less time and decrease patient discomfort. Shorter visits and increased turnover will ensure ready adoption by ophthalmologists and improve patient access to specialist care.
The Coulter project will involve prototype refinement and first in human testing. Coulter is also assisting the team in navigating the regulatory frameworks and business formation steps required for the device’s successful commercialization.
Link to technology at UM Tech Transfer: https://inventions.umich.edu/technologies/6401_applicator-for-cryo-anesthesia-and-analgesia or email Thomas Marten ([email protected]) for more information.