# US 11,077,232 B2 · Methods and polymer compositions for treating retinal detachment and other ocular disorders > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,232 B2 - Document ID: US11077232B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/191,942 - Filed: 2021-03-04 - Published: 2021-06-24 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-13 - Assignees: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary - Applicants: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary - Inventors: James Anthony Stefater, III; Tomasz Pawel Stryjewski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077232B2 ## CPC - A61L 27/52: Hydrogels or hydrocolloids - A61L 27/26: Mixtures of macromolecular compounds - A61L 27/58: Materials at least partially resorbable by the body - A61P 27/02: Ophthalmic agents - A61L 2400/06: Flowable or injectable implant compositions - A61L 2430/16: for reconstruction of eye parts, e.g. intraocular lens, cornea - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS ## Abstract The invention provides methods and polymer compositions for treating retinal detachment and other ocular disorders, where the methods employ polymer compositions that can form a hydrogel in the eye of a subject. The hydrogel is formed by reaction of (i) a nucleo-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polymer containing a plurality of thio-functional groups —R1—SH wherein R1 is an ester-containing linker, such as a thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer and (ii) an electro-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polymer containing at least one thiol-reactive group, such as a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer containing alpha-beta unsaturated ester groups. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of forming a hydrogel in an eye of a subject, the method comprising: a. injecting an effective amount of a nucleo-functional polymer and an electro-functional polymer into the eye; and b. allowing the nucleo-functional polymer and the electro-functional polymer to react to form a hydrogel in the eye; wherein the nucleo-functional polymer is a biocompatible polymer comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) containing a plurality of thio-functional groups —R1—SH, wherein R1 is an ester-containing linker, and the electro-functional polymer is a biocompatible polymer comprising poly(ethylene glycol) containing at least one thiol-reactive group. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel is formed in the vitreous cavity of the eye. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel is formed in the eye of a subject having a physical discontinuity in the retinal tissue, a tear in the retinal tissue, a break in the retinal tissue, or a hole in the retinal tissue. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel is formed in the eye of a subject having undergone surgery for a macular hole, having undergone surgery to remove at least a portion of a epiretinal membrane, having undergone a vitrectomy, having a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, having tractional retinal detachment, or having serous retinal detachment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nucleo-functional polymer and the electro-functional polymer are injected into the eye separately as liquid aqueous compositions or together as a single, liquid aqueous composition. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the nucleo-functional polymer and the electro-functional polymer are injected into the vitreous cavity of the eye. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the separate liquid aqueous compositions or single liquid aqueous composition has a pH in the range of about 7.2 to about 7.6. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel has a refractive index in the range of from about 1.2 to about 1.5. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel has a transparency of at least 90% for light in the visible spectrum when measured through a hydrogel having a thickness of 2 cm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel has a gelation time of less than about 10 minutes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel undergoes complete biodegradation from the eye of the subject within about 3 days to about 7 days, about 2 weeks to about 8 weeks, or about 4 months to about 6 months, or within 12 months or 24 months. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel has a biodegradation half-life in the range of from about 1 week to about 3 weeks or from about 8 weeks to about 15 weeks when disposed within the eye. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel generates a pressure within the eye of less than 25 mmHg. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nucleo-functional polymer has a weight-average molecular weight in the range of from about 500 g/mol to about 1,000,000 g/mol; and the electro-functional polymer has a weight-average molecular weight in the range of from about 500 g/mol to about 1,000,000 g/mol. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the mole ratio of (i) thio-functional groups —R1—SH to (ii) the at least one thiol-reactive group is in the range of 10:1 to 1:10, 5:1 to 1:1, or 2:1 to 1:1. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein R1—SH is —OC(O)—(C1-C6 alkylene)-SH. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the poly(ethylene glycol) is linear, branched, a dendrimer, or multi-armed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising injecting a pharmaceutical composition into the eye. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is injected into the eye together with the nucleo-functional polymer, together with the electro-functional polymer, or together with both the nucleo-functional polymer and the electro-functional polymer.