Creating tiny needles for painless eye drug delivery
Development of Nanoneedle Array for Painless and Long-Term Sustained Intraocular Drug Delivery
This study is testing a new, tiny needle system that can deliver medicine directly to the eye through a special contact lens, making it easier and more comfortable for people with corneal neovascularization to get the treatment they need to help prevent vision loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10903778 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new type of nanoneedle array designed for painless and long-term delivery of medication directly to the eye. By utilizing fully-miniaturized silicon nanoneedles that are significantly smaller than current options, the project aims to enhance the effectiveness of treatments for corneal neovascularization, a condition that can lead to blindness. The nanoneedles will be integrated into a water-soluble contact lens, allowing for rapid degradation and optimal fit for various corneal shapes, thereby improving patient comfort and therapeutic outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from corneal neovascularization or related eye conditions that require sustained drug delivery.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to corneal neovascularization or those who do not require intraocular drug delivery may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective and comfortable method for delivering medications to the eye, potentially reducing the risk of blindness.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise with biodegradable microneedles for drug delivery, but this approach using nanoscale needles is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
West Lafayette, United States
- Purdue University — West Lafayette, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Chi Hwan — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Chi Hwan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.