>11, and may be permanently coupled to the tube 11 or detachably fixed to the tube 11. In an embodiment, the matrix 12 may be coupled to a surface of the tube 11 by using an adhesive material.

The tube 11 is inserted into an eyeball so that a distal end 111 is located in an anterior chamber of the eyeball and a proximal end 112 is located on conjunctival tissue or Tenon's tissue of the eyeball, and the tube 11 allows aqueous humor generated in the anterior chamber of the eyeball to be drained through a hollow portion 110 in the tube 11 to the conjunctival tissue or the Tennon's tissue. In the specification, the distal end 111 and the proximal end 112 are defined according to a direction from an operator inserting the implant device, and among both ends of the tube 11, the proximal end 112 refers to an end facing the operator and the distal end 111 refers to an end facing a patient's eye into which the implant device is to be inserted.

In an embodiment, the tube 11 may be formed of a biocompatible material and may be formed of a changeable material. For example, the tube 11 may be formed of silicone or other silicone-based material, a urethane-based material such as PTFE, polycarbonate, or polyurethane (PU), a composite material of a silicone-based material and a polyurethane-based material such as silicone-PU, or a biocompatible metal or alloy.

In an embodiment, the tube 11 may be formed of, but is not limited to, silicone, PTFE, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyimide, PMMA, poly (styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) copolymer, polyethersulfone, gelatin, stainless steel, titanium, nitinol, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the tube 11 may be formed in a curved shape with a certain curvature in order to prevent damage to the endothelium of a cornea in the eyeball. A front end of the tube may poke and damage the cornea in the anterior chamber of the eyeball in a process of inserting the tube into the anterior chamber of the eyeball according to a size of the eyeball that is different for each patient, a skill level in tube injection, etc. Damage to the cornea may cause complications such as corneal decompensation which require even future corneal transplantation. According to the present embodiment, in order for the tube to naturally move in a curved shape while being inserted into the anterior chamber of the eyeball, the tube 11 may be manufactured in a curved shape with a certain curvature corresponding to a curvature of a surface of the eyeball.

The matrix 12 is coupled to an outer surface of the tube 11, and at least a portion of the matrix 12 has a cross-section larger than a diameter of the tube 11. As a result, a part of the matrix 12 protrudes in a lateral direction of the tube 11, that is, in a direction different from a longitudinal direction of the tube 11. A length L₁of the matrix 12 extending in the lateral direction of the tube 11 and a length L₂of the matrix 12 along the longitudinal direction of the tube 11 may be appropriately determined so that when the tube 11 is pushed toward a sclera of the eyeball, the matrix 12 is caught on the sclera to prevent movement of the tube 11.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3A, the matrix 12 is disposed on the tube 11 to partially cover a top surface of the tube 11. For example, when the tube 11 is inserted into the sclera of an eyeball, the matrix 12 coupled to the tube 11 may be placed on the sclera while covering a part of the tube 11. However, this is only an example, and in another embodiment, the matrix 12 may be disposed on a bottom surface of the tube 11.

Also, in an embodiment, the matrix 12 may include a pair of sheet members 121, 122 as in the embodiment of FIG. 3B, and the pair of sheet members 121, 122 may be located over and under the tube 11 with the tube 11 therebetween. The matrix 12 may be coupled to the tube 11 by adhering corners and vertices of the sheet members 121, 122 to each other in a state where the tube 11 is inserted between the pair of sheet members 121, 122. For example, the pair of sheet members 121, 122 may be adhered to each other by using an adhesive material such as a silicone adhesive. Also, in an embodiment, any one or both the sheet members 121, 122 may be adhered to the surface of the tube 11 by using an adhesive material.

The matrix 12 is formed of a material capable of impregnating a drug such as an antifibrotic agent, and is a release control material capable of releasing the absorbed drug to surrounding tissue in the eyeball in a state where the implant device is inserted into the eyeball. For example, in a state where the matrix 12 containing no drug is immersed in a drug in a liquid state so that the drug permeates into the matrix 12, the implant device including the tube 11 to which the matrix 12 is coupled may be inserted into the patient's eyeball. However, this is only an example, and in another embodiment, the matrix 12 may be manufactured in a state where a drug is loaded by mixing the drug in a dispersion solution for preparing a polymer.

In an embodiment, the tube 11 and the matrix 12 constituting the implant device 10 for an eye disease may be coupled to each other in a process of inserting the implant device. For example, the operator may insert the tube 11 of the implant device into the patient's sclera, and then may couple the tube 11 to the matrix 12 by placing the matrix 12 on the surface of the tube 11 exposed to the outside of the sclera. In this case, the matrix 12 may be manufactured with a drug preloaded, or the operator may immerse the matrix 12 containing no drug in a drug in an operating room so that the drug permeates into the matrix 12 and may place the matrix 12 on the tube 11. Also, the operator may couple the tube 11 to the matrix 12 by passing a suture thread through the matrix 12 and fixing to ocular tissue.

Examples of a drug to be loaded on the matrix 12 may include antifibrotic agents such as, but not limited to, dexamethasone, mitomycin-C (MMC), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), triamcinolone (TA), an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) inhibitor, and a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) inhibitor. For example, according to a purpose of applying a drug to the matrix 12, in addition to an antifibrotic agent, an intraocular pressure lowering agent such as prostaglandin, ceftazidime or another cefa-based antibiotic, a fluoroquinolone-based antibiotic such as levofloxacin or moxifloxacin, another type of antibiotic, or another type of drug may be loaded on the matrix 12.

The matrix 12 may be formed of a material that is not immediately decomposed in a living body, allowing sufficient time for the drug to be released, and does not expand excessively enough to cause foreign body sensation in the eye due to the drug. In an embodiment, a polymer having a membrane structure capable of forming a storage space for capturing the drug may be used as the matrix 12.

For example, the matrix 12 may be formed of, but is not limited to, poly (acrylic acid), polyacrylamide, poly (sulfopropyl acrylate), poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly (vinyl alcohol), silicone, polyurethane, collagen, gelatin, hyaluronic acid, poly (aspartic acid), alginate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, chitosan, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the matrix 12 may be a material having a double-layer structure formed of two or more different materials. In this case, a first material of the matrix 12 may be a material having biocompatibility and mechanical properties for forming the skeleton of the matrix 12 without being immediately biodegraded in the eyeball. Also, a second material, which is another material constituting the matrix 12 together with the first material, may be a material that may temporarily absorb a drug when combined with the first material. When the matrix 12 includes a composite of the first material and the second material as in the present embodiment, a drug suitable for the purpose may be easily impregnated in the matrix 12 while maintaining the mechanical strength of the matrix 12. For example, the matrix 12 may be formed as a sheet including a composite of PU and PEG.

In an embodiment, the first material may be, but is not limited to, silicone, polyethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, PMMA, poly (butyl methacrylate), polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glycol-modified PTE, PTFE, polyhydroxyalkanoates, parylene, polyether ether ketone, polyimide, epoxy-based resin such as SU-8, poly (vinylidene fluoride), polyether block amides, 3-[tris(trimethylsiloxy)silyl] propyl methacrylate, poly (styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) copolymer, cellulose acetate, poly ((N-vinylpyrrolidone)-block-poly (vinyl acetate)), ethyl cellulose, or a combination thereof.

Also, in an embodiment, the second material may be, but is not limited to, poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG), PEG derivatives, poly (ethylene oxide), poly (propylene oxide), polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethersulfone, polyamide, polyacrylamide, polyglycolic acid, polyacrylic acid, glucuronic acid, hexuronic acid, hyaluronic acid, polyaspartic acid, alginate, polyorthoester, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), polydioxanone (PDO), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), collagen, gelatin, hydroxypropyl cellulose, chitosan, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the matrix 12 may be coupled to the tube 11 to be spaced apart from the distal end 111 and the proximal end 112 of the tube 11 by certain distances D₁, D₂, respectively. When a drug released from the matrix 12 is an antifibrotic agent, the matrix 12 may be disposed adjacent to the proximal end 112 of the tube through which the aqueous humor is drained in order to prevent an aqueous humor outlet from being blocked due to fibrosis of tissue. That is, in the present embodiment, the distance D₁between the distal end 111 of the tube 11 and the matrix 12 may be greater than the distance D₂between the proximal end 112 of the tube 11 and the matrix 12.

Also, a thickness t of the matrix 12 may be small enough to prevent the patient from feeling a foreign matter even when the matrix 12 is inserted into the conjunctival tissue or the Tenon's tissue. When the matrix 12 includes a plurality of sheet members 121, 122 as in the embodiment of FIG. 3B, the total thickness t of the plurality of sheet members 121, 122 may be determined to be small enough to prevent the patient from feeling a foreign matter. Also, in an embodiment, the thickness t of the matrix 12 may be less than a diameter of the tube 11.

In an embodiment, the implant device for an eye disease further includes the ripcord 13 at least partially inserted into the hollow portion 110 of the tube 11. The ripcord 13 may be a non-absorbable surgical suture thread, and may be formed of a nylon or prolene material, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The ripcord 13 inserted into the hollow portion 110 of the tube 11 controls pressure formed in the anterior chamber. When the ripcord 13 is thick, a space between an inner wall of the tube 11 and the ripcord 13 becomes narrow and the aqueous humor is relatively slowly drained, and thus, pressure formed in the anterior chamber increases. When the ripcord 13 is thin, a space between the inner wall of the tube 11 and the ripcord 13 becomes wide and the aqueous humor is relatively rapidly drained, and thus, pressure formed in the anterior chamber decreases. Accordingly, pressure formed in the anterior chamber may be optimized to be within a certain range, for example, postoperative pressure of about 6 mmHg to about 21 mmHg, through an appropriate configuration of the ripcord 13. However, a preferred numerical range of pressure formed in the anterior chamber is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the ripcord 13 may be manipulated by a clinician to control pressure formed in the anterior chamber. For example, when the ripcord 13 is inserted into the hollow portion 110 of the tube 11 and exposed from a rear end of the tube 11, the clinician may control the amount of aqueous humor drainage by adjusting the ripcord 13 exposed from the rear end of the tube 11. That is, the clinician may appropriately control intraocular pressure according to the patient's condition by using the ripcord 13. In the present embodiment, in order to prevent a user from feeling a foreign matter due to the ripcord 13 exposed to the outside of the tube 11, the ripcord 13 may be formed to gradually decrease in diameter from a point where the ripcord 13 is exposed from the tube 11 or an implant body (not shown) coupled to the rear end of the tube 11.

In the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the matrix 12 is spaced apart from the proximal end 112 of the tube 11 by the certain distance D₂. However, this is only an example, and in another embodiment, the matrix 12 may be disposed in contact with the proximal end 112 of the tube 11 (i.e., the distance D₂is 0), or may further extend beyond the proximal end 112 of the tube 11 away from the eyeball (i.e., the distance D₂is negative).

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views illustrating an arrangement of a tube and a matrix in an implant device for an eye disease according to embodiments. Although an arrangement of the matrix 12 including one pair of sheet members 121, 122 is illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the same arrangement may be applied to the matrix 12 including a single sheet as shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example where the matrix 12 is coupled to the tube 11 so that one end of the matrix 12 is completely aligned with the proximal end 112 of the tube. In this case, because a drug such as antifibrotic agent is drained by the matrix 12 at a position that is in direct contact with the proximal end 112 through which aqueous humor is drained, an aqueous humor outlet may be prevented from being blocked due to fibrosis of ocular tissue.

Also, FIG. 4B illustrates an example where one end of the matrix 12 extends beyond the proximal end 112 of the tube 11 in a direction (i.e., a direction away from an eyeball or a direction toward an operator). In the present embodiment, because the matrix 12 completely surrounds the proximal end 112 of the tube 11 and the aqueous humor drained from the tube 11 is drained after passing through an area covered by the matrix 12, when an antifibrotic agent is impregnated in the matrix 12, the aqueous humor outlet may be fundamentally prevented from being blocked due to fibrosis.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4B, the matrix 12 may be formed of a flexible material, and thus, a shape of the aqueous humor outlet may not be fixedly supported in a portion where the matrix 12 extends beyond the proximal end 112 of the tube 11. That is, when the matrix 12 includes a single sheet, the matrix 12 may cover the proximal end 112 of the tube 11 without a fixed aqueous humor outlet, or when the matrix 12 includes a plurality of sheets, the sheets facing each other may be attached to each other without a fixed aqueous humor outlet.

However, when the aqueous humor is drained from the proximal end 112 through the tube 11 and pressure of the drained aqueous humor reaches a certain level, the aqueous humor outlet passing through the matrix 12 may be naturally formed due to the pressure of the aqueous humor, thereby draining the aqueous humor. That is, when the amount of aqueous humor drained through the tube 11 is a certain amount or more, the aqueous humor may push the matrix 12 and may be drained to the outside of the matrix 12. For example, when the matrix 12 includes a sheet covering the proximal end 112 of the tube 11, if a certain amount of aqueous humor is collected, the aqueous humor may lift the matrix 12 to form a passage through which a fluid flows.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual view illustrating a process of inserting an implant device for an eye disease into an eyeball by using an injector according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the implant device for an eye disease according to embodiments may be injected into an eyeball through an injector 20 including a needle 21, so that one end of the tube 11 is inserted into an anterior chamber through the sclera 3 of the eyeball as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, the injector 20 refers to an arbitrary instrument used to insert the implant device into the eyeball by mechanically moving the needle 21 or the injector 20 forward in a state where the implant device is accommodated in the needle 21 or is fixed to the needle 21 by using another method.

For example, in a state where the implant device is loaded in the needle 21, an operator may move the entire injector 20 forward so that one end of the tube 11 of the implant device is inserted into the anterior chamber through the sclera 3, and then with the implant device in the inserted position, the operator may move only the needle 21 backward through an arbitrary mechanism provided in the injector 20 or move the entire injector 20 backward so that the implant device is inserted into the eyeball. Because the injector 20 for inserting the implant device may be any of various types well known or to be developed in the future, a detailed description of the injector 20 will be omitted in the specification to clarify the gist of the present disclosure.

Meanwhile, as the implant device for an eye disease according to embodiments includes the matrix 12 having a cross-section larger than a diameter of the tube 11, the matrix 12 may be inserted into the needle 21 of the injector 20 together with the tube 11, or the implant device may be inserted into a patient's eye in a state where the matrix 12 is located outside the needle 21.

For example, in an embodiment, the matrix 12 has a cross-section larger than a diameter of the tube 11 but may be rolled or folded because the matrix 12 is formed of a flexible material. Accordingly, the matrix 12 may be inserted into the needle 21 together with the tube 11 while being rolled or folded to be in close contact with a surface of the tube 11, and when the tube 11 reaches an insertion position, the matrix 12 may be unfolded while exiting the needle 21 together with the tube 11. Alternatively, in a state where the matrix 12 is not inserted into the needle 21 and only a front end of the tube 11 not coupled to the matrix 12 is inserted into the needle 21 or fixed to the needle 21, the implant device may be placed in the eyeball in such a way that the needle 21 pulls the matrix 12 together through the front end of the tube 11.

However, a method of arranging the tube 11 and the matrix 12 is not limited to the examples described in the specification. Any other clinical method may be used. For example, the matrix 12 may be coupled to the tube 11 through an additional procedure in a state where only the tube 11 is inserted into the eyeball by using the injector 20.

As described above, the matrix 12 in the implant device according to embodiments impregnates a drug such as an antifibrotic agent and slowly releases the drug to ocular tissue. The tube 11 is for MICS and usually has a micrometer-level diameter, and thus, there is a possibility that the tube 11 may be pushed into the sclera 3 due to impact or other causes even after the tube 11 is inserted into the sclera. However, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, because the matrix 12 having a cross-section larger than a diameter of the tube 11 is coupled to the tube 11, even when the tube 11 moves toward the sclera 3, the matrix 12 may be caught on the sclera 3 and the tube 11 may be prevented from being completely inserted into the sclera 3.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating an implant device for an eye disease according to still another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the implant device for an eye disease according to the present embodiment includes a wing 14 extending in a lateral direction of a body of the tube 11. In the embodiment of FIG. 6A, the tube 11 of the implant device 11 is inserted into another tube having a larger cross-sectional diameter, so that a part of the outer tube surrounding the tube 11 forms the wing 14.

However, this is only an example, and a method of forming a wing extending in the lateral direction of the tube 11 is not limited thereto. For example, the implant device may be configured so that a separate member functioning as a wing may be coupled to a surface of the tube 11 or the tube 11 itself includes a specific portion with an enlarged outer diameter and functioning as a wing. Furthermore, in an embodiment, a wing formed on a side surface of the tube 11 may be integrally formed with the tube 11 or may be detachably formed on the tube 11.

In the present embodiment, the matrix 12 coupled to the tube 11 may be at least partially coupled to the wing 14 on the side surface of the tube 11. In an embodiment, the matrix 12 may include one pair of sheet members 121, 122, and the matrix 12 may be coupled to the wing 14 by adhering the sheet members 121, 122 to each other in a state where the wing 14 of the tube 11 is disposed between the sheet members 121, 122. In the specification, the sheet members may be adhered by using an adhesion method using a silicone adhesive or the like.

For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 6A, the upper and lower sheet members 121, 122 each have a quadrangular shape, and are adhered to each other at vertices A, B, C, D of the quadrangular shape, and the tube 11 or the wing 14 is located at an edge portion between adhered portions of the sheet members 121, 122. That is, the tube 11 extends through edges AD and BC of the sheet members 121, 122 having the quadrangular shape, and the wing 14 orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the tube 11 extends through edges AB and CD of the sheet members 121, 122. A length L₃₁of the wing 14 extending in the lateral direction of the tube 11 and a length L₃₂of the wing 14 along the longitudinal direction of the tube 11 may be appropriately determined so as not to hinder adhesion between the upper and lower sheet members 121, 122 due to the presence of the wing 14.

In the present embodiment, the wing 14 of the tube 11 provides coupling stability with the matrix 12. In the coupled state shown in FIG. 6A, because the upper and lower sheet members 121, 122 are adhered to each other at the vertices A, B, C, D and the wing 14 of the tube 11 is located therebetween, even when an external force is applied to the tube 11 back and force in the longitudinal direction, the wing 14 is fixed between the upper and lower sheet members 121, 122 and thus, the matrix 12 is not separated from the tube 11. In an embodiment, the matrix 12 and the wing 14 may be adhered to each other by using an adhesive such as a silicone adhesive for coupling stability.

Also, according to the present embodiment, because the matrix 12 having a larger diameter than the tube 11 protrudes on the side surface of the tube and the tube 11 itself includes the wing 14 protruding in the lateral direction to form a stepped portion, after the implant device is inserted, the tube 11 may be physically prevented from being excessively inserted into the eyeball and, after the tube 11 is inserted, the tube 11 may be prevented or minimized from moving back and forth due to the stepped portion.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6A, the length L₃₁of the wing 14 extending in the lateral direction of the tube 11 is almost the same as a length of the matrix 12. However, this is only an example, and according to embodiments, the length L₃₁of the wing 14 may be determined so that the wing 14 protrudes more than the matrix 12 in the lateral direction of the tube 11 as shown in FIG. 6B, or the wing 14 protrudes less than the matrix 12 in the lateral direction of the tube 11 as shown in FIG. 6C. When the matrix 12 completely covers a side surface of the wing 14 as shown in FIG. 6B, the upper and lower sheet members 121, 122 may be adhered to each other not only at the vertices A, B, C, D but also at side edges, that is, the edges AB and CD, between the vertices, thereby promoting coupling stability.

Furthermore, although the length L₃₁of the wing 14 extending in the lateral direction of the tube 11 changes in various ways in the embodiments of FIGS. 6A to 6C, in another embodiment, the wing 14 and the matrix 12 may be arranged so that the wing 14 protrudes more or less than the matrix 12 in the longitudinal direction of the tube 11 by changing the length L₃₂of the wing 14 in the longitudinal direction of the tube 11.

Also, in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the matrix 12 coupled to the wing 14 is spaced apart from the proximal end 112 of the tube 11. However, this is only an example, and according to an embodiment, as a position of the wing 14 changes and/or a size of the matrix 12 changes, even when the wing 14 is present, an arrangement of the matrix 12 with respect to the proximal end 12 of the tube 11 may change.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6D, the wing 14 may be disposed adjacent to the proximal end 112 compared to the embodiment of FIG. 6A and an end of the matrix 12 may contact the proximal end 112 of the tube 11, or as shown in FIG. 6E, the wing 14 may contact the proximal lend 112 of the tube 11 and an end of the matrix 12 may extend beyond the proximal end 112. Furthermore, the matrix 12 may be coupled to the wing 14 in an arbitrary arrangement not shown in the drawings of the specification. FIG. 7A is a perspective view illustrating a tube according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the tube of FIG. 7A. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate still another configuration of forming a wing protruding in a lateral direction of a tube in an implant device for an eye disease.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the present embodiment, the tube 11 is coupled to a support 15 extending in a direction different from a longitudinal direction of the tube 11. For example, the tube 11 may be coupled to the support 15 by passing through a fixing hole formed in a central portion 150 of the support 15 having a circular cross-section. The support 15 extends in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the tube 11 to intersect the tube 11, and a part of the support 15 extending outward from an outer surface of the tube 11 corresponds to a wing 151.

Like the wing 14 described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6E, the wing 151 according to the present embodiment prevents the tube 11 from being completely inserted into an anterior chamber of an eyeball and provides coupling stability with a matrix (not shown). That is, although not shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the matrix for impregnating and releasing a drug may also be coupled to the tube 11 of the implant device for an eye disease according to the present embodiment. Also, the matrix may be coupled to the tube 11 by being coupled to the wing 151 of the implant device according to the present embodiment. This may be easily understood from the embodiments described with reference to