Micropump offers alternative to inconsistent eye drops

Scientists from the Roski Eye Institute at the University of Southern California created a pump device that can be implanted in the eye to systatically deliver a predetermined dosage of ranibizumab following a programmed schedule.The device was designed after studies showed the success of traditional treatments for diseases like glaucoma or diabetic macular eda (DME) were sometimes ineffective due to patients being uncomfortable using the eye drops or forgetting to consistently take their prescribed medication.{{quote-A:R-W:450-Q: None of the subjects complained of discomfort or pain throughout the tests }}Volunteers diagnosed with DME participated in the study and tested the device. After the implantation, the participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic assessments and a bi-weekly optical coherence tomography (OCT) test throughout the 90-day test period.At the end of the test period, the device was roved from the participants, after which the subjects received standard care. The tests ended with seven successful and four unsuccessful trials.The successful ones saw improved visual acuity and retinal thickness, where the pump delivered around 20% of the dosage targets. The failed results were due to slow release or inhibited delivery due to device damage.None of the subjects complained of discomfort or pain throughout the tests, despite small complications caused by the damaged device, which healed normally.Due to the significant results of the tests, the micropump device has started commercial production by Replenish, which was responsible in raising funds for research and development. It generated more than $20 million from investor funding to sustain pre-clinical and clinical trials.