Injection apparatus and method of using same

A method for injecting an agent into scleral tissue, the scleral tissue having a first surface and a second surface defining a tissue thickness, said method comprising the steps of:

• disposing a needle in an injection apparatus, the apparatus including a support element having a distal end and a proximal end, a needle guide platform disposed on the distal end of the support element and having an external support surface configured substantially similar to the natural curvature of the intact sclera, the support surface being configured to substantially conform to the geometry of the first surface of the tissue, and a channel extending therethrough, the channel terminating in an aperture at the support surface, wherein the needle is movable along an axis of injection through the channel from a retracted position to an extended position, the needle having a front outlet and an inlet rearwardly located relative to the front outlet, the front outlet being in fluid flow communication with the inlet, the needle extending form the aperture when moving from the retracted position to the extended position, and an actuator for advancing and retracting the needle through the channel;
• placing the needle in fluid flow communication with a medicament reservoir;
• establishing substantial contact between said support surface and said tissue surface;
• establishing substantial contact between said support surface and said tissue surface;
• advancing the needle outwardly through said aperture;
• penetrating the first surface of the tissue at a point of intersection;
• extending the needle to its full length without penetrating the second surface of the tissue;
• imbedding the needle into the tissue;
• and
• transferring a medicament from said medicament reservoir through the needle and into the tissue.

An apparatus for injecting an agent into scleral tissue, comprising:

• a support element having a distal end and a proximal end;
• a needle guide platform disposed on the distal end of said support element and having an external support surface configured substantially similar to the natural curvature of the intact sclera and a channel extending therethrough, the channel terminating in an aperture at the support surface;
• a needle disposed in said channel and axially movable through said channel from a retracted position to an extended position, said needle having a front outlet and an inlet rearwardly located relative to the front outlet, the front outlet being in fluid flow communication with the inlet, said needle extending form said aperture when moving from the retracted position to the extended position, wherein said needle extends from said aperture about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm in the extended position;
• whereby, an axis of injection of said needle forms an acute penetration approach angle of up to about 60° with a tangent of the support surface at a point of intersection of a tangential axis at the tip of said needle with a projection of the support surface across the aperture.