Evaluation of Suprachoroidal Injection in Cadaveric and Preclinical Models

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• The suprachoroidal space (SCS) offers a promising route for posterior eye drug delivery.
• Achieving reliable SCS access in humans and animal models remains a challenge, requiring validated delivery techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify SCS coverage in human cadaveric eyes using micro-computed tomography (μCT).
• To develop and validate optimized injectors for preclinical animal anatomy, ensuring reliable SCS access for therapeutic delivery.

Main Methods:

• Dynamic μCT was used to capture volumetric images during 100 µL SCS injections in human cadaver eyes.
• Quantitative measurements of injection coverage, distribution, and volume were calculated.
• A novel TS-Micro injector was adapted for non-human primate (NHP) anatomy and tested in vivo.

Main Results:

• Successful SCS delivery was achieved in 100% of uncompromised human cadaver eyes.
• In human eyes, 100 µL injections covered 33.3% ± 5.9% of the SCS, with initial circumferential and posterior spread.
• NHP eye injections demonstrated 95% success, with coverage mirroring human cadaveric findings.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first quantitative measurements of SCS injection spread in human anatomy.
• Validation of suprachoroidal drug delivery in NHPs shows coverage consistent with human anatomy.
• Accurate delivery quantification is essential for cell and gene therapies, impacting efficacy and toxicology studies.