AU2015201289A1

AU2015201289A1 - Eye injection device

Info

Publication number: AU2015201289A1
Application number: AU2015201289A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Francine Behar- Cohen; Laura Kowalczuk; Elodie Touchard
Original assignee: Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale INSERM
Current assignee: Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale INSERM
Priority date: 2008-03-14
Filing date: 2015-03-11
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-12
Also published as: AU2015201289B2

Abstract

Abstract An injection device for injecting a product into an eye comprising: - an injection needle, - a support which is able to guide a sliding 5 movement of the needle, said device comprising a locating mark fixed on the support and disposed, along an arc of a circle with a radius of greater than 5 mm and of less than 8 mm, in such a way that said locating mark 10 can be placed in contact with a defined bearing region of the surface of the eye, before any contact of the needle with said surface, and can then be kept in contact with said bearing region during a stage of penetration of said needle 15 through said surface of the eye, the bearing region being at least a part of the edge of the cornea of the eye , said penetration resulting from a sliding of said injection needle in the support toward said surface of the eye, the 20 device comprising an assembly of electrodes composed of first and second sets of electrodes designed to be connected electrically to first and second terminals, respectively, of an electrical generator.

Description

- 1 Eye injection device This application is a divisional of Australian Patent Application No. 2009232117, the entire content of which 5 is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field The present invention relates to a device for injecting 10 a product into an eye and/or for electroporation. Prior art WO 2006/123248 describes a device for administering a 15 product by electroporation. In the embodiment shown in Figure 16, the device is designed such that it can be applied to the surface of the eye, and it has a needle permitting an injection of product. The placement of this device on the surface of the eye is awkward. In 20 addition, the positioning is relatively imprecise. Finally, an error in positioning requires multiplying the punctures in the eye in order to reposition the device. 25 WO 00/07530, WO 2007/052730 and WO 2006/052557 describe injection devices. These devices do not comprise an injection needle fixed on a support designed to bear on the surface of the eye, nor do they have a locating mark designed to bear on the edge of the cornea of an 30 eye, before any contact of the injection needle with the eye, and then to be kept in this bearing position during the stage of penetration of said injection needle into the eye.

- 2 Summary of the invention It is an object of the invention to make available an injection device with which one or more of the 5 abovementioned problems can be solved at least in part. To this end, the invention proposes, in a first main embodiment, an injection device for injecting a product into an eye (that is to say into the ocular media or 10 into a tissue of the eye), said device comprising: - an injection needle, - a support on which the injection needle is fixed or which is able to guide a sliding movement of the injection needle, 15 said device comprising a locating mark disposed in such a way that said locating mark can be placed in contact with a defined bearing region of the surface of the eye, before any contact of the injection needle with said surface, and can then be kept in contact with said 20 bearing region during a stage of penetration of said injection needle through said surface of the eye. As will be set out in more detail later in the description, the locating mark allows the user to 25 position the injection device with remarkable precision on the surface of the eye, before any penetration of the injection needle through the surface thereof. The risk of error is therefore reduced or substantially eliminated. 30 In one embodiment, particularly intended for an injection into a vitreous cavity, the locating mark is disposed in such a way that, during said stage of penetration of the injection needle through the surface 35 of the eye, the distance between the bearing region of the locating mark on the eye and the point of penetration of the needle into the eye (corresponding to the distance D 50 in Figure 4 and to the distance D3 0

'

- 3 in Figure 8) is greater than 2 mm, greater than 3 mm, or greater than 3.5 mm and/or less than 6 mm, less than 5 mm, or less than 4.5 mm. A distance of 4 mm is ideal. 5 Particularly when the device is designed for an injection into a ciliary muscle, this distance can be greater than 1 mm, greater than 1.5 mm and/or less than 4 mm, less then 3 mm, or less than 2.5 mm. A distance of 2 mm is ideal. 10 In addition, the locating mark is disposed in such a way that it can be kept in contact with the bearing region during at least part, preferably during the entirety, of the penetration of the injection needle 15 through the surface of the eye. The user is thus provided with a useful aid for controlling and suppressing any inopportune movement of the support during the stage of penetration of the injection needle into the eye. In particular, in one embodiment, the 20 locating mark is designed to cooperate with the bearing region in such a way as to limit or even eliminate the possibility of a movement of the locating mark relative to the bearing region during the stage of penetration of the injection needle. 25 Said bearing region can in particular comprise a part of the edge of the cornea, that is to say of the transition shoulder between the cornea and the sclera, called the "limbus". 30 A locating mark ensuring a bearing area of greater than 5 mm, greater than 7 mm, or greater than 9 mm on this edge advantageously permits good stabilization of the device during the stage of penetration. 35 Said injection needle can be designed in such a way that its distal end reaches the ciliary muscle or the vitreous cavity, or the subretinal space, or the retina, or the pigment epithelium of the retina, or the corneal epithelium or stroma or endothelium or transcornea, or else the peri-ocular muscles. Means are preferably provided to ensure that this distal end 5 cannot be engaged beyond these elements during the stage of penetration, the bearing region being at least a part of the edge of the cornea of the eye. The locating mark and the injection needle can be 10 configured in such a way that the angle between the direction of penetration and the direction perpendicular to the surface of the eye at the point of penetration is less than 200, or 15', 100, or 50 throughout the stage of penetration. The length of the 15 injection needle introduced into the eye is then advantageously reduced. Needle 20 The external diameter of the injection needle can be between 0.2 and 0.4 mm. The protruding part of the injection needle, that is to say the part protruding from the support, can be 25 greater than 2 mm or greater than 3 mm, or greater than 3.3 mm and/or less than 5 mm, or less than 4 mm, or less than 3.7 mm. The tip or "distal end" of the injection needle can be 30 beveled in order to facilitate its insertion into the eye. The injection needle can open out axially and/or radially at its distal end. Preferably, the injection needle opens out axially. Still more preferably, it is tapered, that is to say conical along the axis of the 35 needle, and opens out axially. The shape of the injection needle is not limiting.

- 5 The injection needle can be substantially rectilinear. It can also extend along an arc of a circle centered on a point of the locating mark, in particular in order to facilitate its insertion by rotation of the support 5 about the bearing region. In order to effectively fix the injection needle, the base of the latter can be sandwiched between a main part of the support and a blocking piece fixed to said 10 main part of the support. The device can comprise several injection needles and in particular can comprise three, or more than three, injection needles, these being identical or different. 15 The injection needles can have an identical total length, whichever injection needle is considered. The protruding parts of the injection needles can be 20 identical or different. They can in particular be of the same length. The injection needles can all be fixed in the same way on the support. 25 In one variant of the invention, one or more of the injection needles are not fixed on the support but instead can slide on the latter during the stage of penetration. These needles can be removable or can be 30 mounted integrally on the support, that is to say in such a way as to remain joined to the support. In the latter case, they can advantageously be retractable into said support. 35 In one embodiment, the injection needles are spaced apart from one another, pair by pair, by a distance of greater than 3 mm, or greater than 3.5 mm, or greater - 6 than 4 mm and/or less than 6 mm, or less than 5.5 mm, or less than 5 mm. The injection needles can be substantially parallel 5 and/or coplanar. The distal ends of the injection needles can extend along a line, for example presenting a plane of symmetry. This line can be rectilinear, for example. It 10 can also be curved, for example following an arc of a circle. In particular, when the support comprises a spherical abutment face, as is described later, this line can have the same radius of curvature as this abutment face or can be concentric to the latter. 15 The distal ends of the injection needles may not belong to one and the same plane perpendicular to the local direction of said injection needles in the area of their distal ends. 20 In one embodiment, the proximal ends of the injection needles, that is to say the ends remote from the distal ends, open into a distribution channel common to all the injection needles, the distribution channel being 25 formed, for example, in the support. The support can then have connection means for establishing a fluid communication between the distribution channel and a source of the product that is to be injected. 30 In one embodiment, the device also has means for selectively or simultaneously plugging one or more, preferably all, of the lumens of the injection needle or needles, for example in the area of the proximal ends or of the distribution channel. 35 These means can in particular comprise one or more stoppers, each designed to plug one or more injection needles.

- 7 In one embodiment, each injection needle can be supplied independently of the others. For example, each needle can be connected to an individual tube. It is 5 thus advantageously possible to inject different active principles through the different injection needles of the device. In this embodiment, it is possible to cut the supply to 10 the associated injection needle by clamping or pinching a tube. All the tubes can also be connected to a main tube which, when clamped or pinched, causes the supply to 15 all the tubes to be cut simultaneously. Support The support can be used for manipulation of the device. 20 The support can in particular comprise a handle allowing the injection device to be gripped, for example, between a thumb and an index finger of one hand. Manipulation of the device is made easier in this way. This handle can in particular extend substantially 25 along a general plane parallel to the injection needle or needles. The length of the support can be greater than 10 mm or 30 mm and/or less than 100 mm, 50 mm or 40 mm. Its 30 transverse width can be greater than 10 mm or 15 mm and/or less than 30 mm, or less than 25 mm. The support can be made of a transparent material in order to allow the user to more easily observe the 35 point of penetration of the needle. In one embodiment, the support is designed to be able to keep the eyelids open during the stage of - 8 penetration of the injection needle. For this purpose, it can in particular comprise lateral edges, for example with a height of greater than 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm or 3 mm. To improve the hold of an eyelid on an 5 edge, the support can also comprise a protuberance designed to take up a position between the surface of the eye and the eyelid when said eyelid bears on the edge. 10 The support thus advantageously serves as a means of spacing the eyelids, which ensures optimal safety and avoids any risk of sudden closure of the eyelids during the injection. 15 Abutment means The device can comprise abutment means that are designed to prevent penetration of the injection needle or needles into the eye beyond a defined position, 20 called the "position of use". The abutment means can comprise "abutment means of the support", which are designed to limit the movement of the support during the stage of penetration. In 25 particular, when the support is set in motion during the stage of penetration, these abutment means of the support make it possible to prevent the continuation of this movement beyond a defined position, for example beyond a position where an abutment face of the support 30 fits the surface of the eye. The abutment means of the support are thus designed to permit a positioning of the support on the eye in a defined position or "abutment position of the support". An abutment position of the support can in particular be obtained 35 when the locating mark bears on the limbus of the eye and an abutment face of the support fits the sclera of the eye. When the injection needle or needles are fixed - 9 on the support, the position of use corresponds to the abutment position of the support. In the embodiment in which an injection needle is 5 mounted slidably on the support, the abutment means can also comprise "needle" abutment means designed to limit the length of said needle able to project from the support at the distal end of the needle, that is to say the length of the protruding part of the needle. The 10 injection needle can, for example, have an area of excess thickness that can abut against the support. The expression "needle abutment position" designates the position of the needle corresponding to a maximum length of the protruding part of the needle, that is to 15 say the position in which the needle abutment means are active. In this embodiment, the position of use preferably corresponds to a configuration in which the support is in an abutment position of the support and the injection needle is in a needle abutment position. 20 The abutment means are preferably designed in such a way as to limit to less than 20 mm, especially for an injection into the retina, less than 7 mm, or to less than 3 mm, especially for an injection into the ciliary 25 muscle, or to less than 1 mm, or to less than 0.7 mm, the length by which the injection needle or needles can be inserted into the eye during a stage of penetration of the injection needle, or the "maximum length of insertion". The maximum length of insertion is 30 preferably greater than 0.5 mm and less than 14 mm. The abutment means of the support preferably comprise an abutment face which is designed to come into contact with the surface of the eye and preferably has a shape 35 matching this surface, in particular matching the sclera of the eye, in such a way that, in the abutment position of the support, it can fit the shape of said eye and thereby ensure a reliable positioning.

- 10 The abutment face can comprise non-slip means designed to limit the sliding movement of the device in the abutment position of the support. 5 In one embodiment, the abutment face has a surface area of greater than 4 mm2 and/or less than 21 mm2 . The abutment face can be solid or can be locally interrupted by holes. 10 The abutment face can have a spherical shape, the radius of curvature R being in particular greater than 9 mm, 10 mm or 11 mm and/or less than 14 mm, less than 13 mm, or less than 12 mm. A radius of curvature of 15 11.75 mm is ideal. The abutment face preferably extends laterally, that is to say in its greatest dimension as seen from the front, over an angle sector a of greater than 45', 20 preferably greater than 600, or 70', 750, or even 800 and/or less than 1350, preferably less than 1200, or 1000, 950, or even 90'. The abutment face preferably extends in height, that is 25 to say in its smallest dimension as seen from the front, over an angle sector 0 of greater than 150, or greater than 250, or even 30 and/or less than 550, or less than 450, or even 40'. 30 Preferably, the abutment face does not extend over more than one quadrant of a hemisphere. Seen from the front, the abutment face can have a substantially parallelepipedal contour, for example a 35 rectangular contour.

- 11 The abutment face can have two large sides and two small sides. The large sides can in particular form rounded corners with the small sides. 5 The length of the small sides can be greater than or equal to 2 mm and/or less than 3 mm. The length of the large sides can be greater than 2 mm and/or less than 7 mm. 10 The abutment face is preferably designed to come into contact with the surface of the eye only at the end of the stage of penetration of the injection needle. It is also preferable, in the abutment position of the 15 support, that the support bears on the surface of the eye only by way of the abutment face. In the case where the injection needles are coplanar, the plane of the needles can be substantially parallel 20 to the large sides. The main axis of the abutment face designed to come into contact with the eye can be inclined with respect to the direction of one or more of the needles or, if 25 these needles are coplanar, with respect to the plane in which they extend, by an angle 5 of greater than 20' and/or less than 850. Particularly in the case where the injection device is 30 designed for an injection into a ciliary muscle, the angle 5 can be greater than 300, 400, 500 and/or less than 800, 70 0 , 600. An angle of about 550 is ideal. In one embodiment, particularly in the case where the 35 injection device is designed for an injection within the vitreous cavity, the angle 5 can be determined in such a way that the injection needle or needles extend substantially in a direction passing through the center - 12 C of a spherical envelope S along which the abutment face extends. It can then be advantageous that, in the abutment position of the support, at least one of the injection needles passes through the center of the eye. 5 Particularly when the device is designed for an injection into the vitreous cavity, the angle 5 can be greater than 20', greater than 30 and/or less than 450, or less than 40', with an angle of about 35' being 10 ideal. In one embodiment, the device comprises an abutment face extending substantially along a spherical envelope, and the locating mark extends along a 15 locating line in the shape of an arc of a circle whose axis passes through the center of said spherical envelope. The spherical envelope and the arc of a circle can in 20 particular be determined in such a way that, in the position of use, the abutment face bears completely on the sclera of the eye, and the locating mark bears completely on the edge of the cornea. 25 In one embodiment, the device comprises an abutment face extending substantially along a spherical envelope, the locating mark extends along a locating line in the shape of an arc of a circle, at least one needle penetrates into the spherical envelope via a 30 point of penetration and, in a plane passing through the center of said spherical envelope, via said point of penetration, and perpendicularly intersecting said arc of a circle, the distance between said point of penetration and the point of said arc of a circle 35 through which said plane intersects said arc of a circle is (1) greater than 1 mm, preferably greater than 1.5 mm, more preferably greater than 1.8 mm - 13 and less than 3 mm, preferably less than 1.5 mm, more preferably less than 1.2 mm, said needle extending inside said spherical envelope to a depth of greater than 0.5 mm, 5 preferably greater than 0.6 mm, more preferably greater than 0.8 mm, and less than 1.5 mm, preferably less than 1.3 mm, more preferably less than 1.2 mm; or 10 (2) greater than 2 mm, preferably greater than 3 mm and less than 4.5 mm, preferably less than 4 mm, or less than 3.5 mm, said needle extending inside said spherical envelope to a depth of greater than 6 mm, preferably 15 greater than 8 mm, and less than 15 mm, preferably less than 13 mm. Preferably, all the needles simultaneously meet condition (1), this embodiment being particularly ideal 20 for an injection into the ciliary muscle of the eye, or condition (2), this embodiment being particularly ideal for an injection into the vitreous body. The depth is the minimum distance between the surface 25 of the spherical envelope and the distal end of the needle in question, that is to say usually the distance between this surface and this distal end as measured on a radius of the spherical envelope S. 30 Preferably, all the needles extend inside the spherical envelope to an identical depth. Preferably, the injection needle or needles are engaged on the support on the same side as the abutment means, 35 with respect to the locating mark. In one embodiment, the injection needle or needles do not pass through the abutment face. They can in - 14 particular emerge from an "insertion face" which, in the abutment position of the support, is not in contact with the eye. The spacing between the eye and the insertion face advantageously allows the user to 5 observe the surface of the eye near the point of penetration of the needle. It also facilitates the positioning of the support. The insertion face can be set back relative to the 10 abutment face and can, for example, be designed in such a way that, in the abutment position of the support, it is spaced apart from the surface of the eye by a distance greater than 1 mm and/or less than 1 cm. 15 The abutment means of the support can be fixed on the support or can be formed integrally therewith. The abutment means of the support are preferably defined in such a way that, in the abutment position of 20 the support, the needle or needles are inclined in a predefined direction and are preferably immobilized with respect to the surface of the eye. When the support comprises means for guiding an 25 injection needle, in order to guide a sliding movement thereof, needle abutment means can advantageously be provided in order to limit the length of the injection needle protruding in the deployed position of this injection needle. 30 Of course, a device according to the invention can comprise one or more injection needles fixed on the support and one or more injection needles able to slide on said support. 35 Locating mark - 15 The locating mark can vary considerably in shape. In particular, the locating mark can be formed by a point, at least 2 points, at least 3 points, or by all or part of a line, called "locating line", or by a surface. 5 In one embodiment, the device comprises a locating line able to match the surface of the eye, for example the edge of the cornea. It can follow an arc of a circle with a radius of greater than 5 mm or 6 mm and/or less 10 than 8 mm or 7 mm, a radius of 6.58 mm being ideal. Preferably, the locating line is at least partly, preferably entirely, convex toward the point of insertion of the needle in the support. In the case 15 where the locating line follows an arc of a circle, said point of insertion is preferably outside the virtual spherical surface of which a great circle includes the locating line. 20 Preferably, when the abutment means comprise a substantially spherical abutment face, the point of insertion of the needle in the support and, preferably, all the points of insertion of all the needles is/are outside the virtual spherical surface on which the 25 abutment face extends. The length of the locating line that is in contact with the surface of the eye can depend on the degree of penetration of the injection needle or needles. For 30 example, at the start of the stage of penetration, the locating line can be in contact via one or more points, or one or more fractions of this line, with the surface of the eye, then, during the penetration, the nature of this contact can change. 35 Preferably, the length of the locating mark is sufficiently short to ensure that, given the flexibility of the eye, the locating mark can remain - 16 along its entire length in contact with the edge of the cornea of the eye, throughout the stage of penetration. To make it easier to keep the locating mark in contact with the edge of the cornea throughout the stage of 5 penetration of the injection needle, the locating mark is preferably designed to bear only along a length of less than 20 mm, less than 17 mm, or less than 15 mm of this edge. 10 The locating mark can be fixed on the support, on the abutment means or on any other element rigidly joined to the support. However, it must be immovable with respect to the support, at least during the stage of penetration, preferably permanently. 15 The locating mark can be carried, for example, by one or more injection needles or, if appropriate, one or more invasive or non-invasive electrodes. 20 In one embodiment, the locating mark is carried by abutment means, for example by a large side of an abutment face, and in particular, in the case of an abutment face of substantially rectangular shape as seen from the front, by the large side farthest from 25 the injection needles. The locating mark can be carried by, or indeed formed by, an edge of a non-invasive electrode. 30 Since the locating mark is designed to be placed in contact with the surface of an eye, it preferably has a smooth surface and, more preferably, a surface without any roughness, especially in the form of sharp tips or edges that could damage the surface of the eye during 35 the stage of penetration. It can be made of a flexible material, that is to say a material that is not aggressive with respect to the surface of the eye, for example polymers of silicone, of conductive sponge, in - 17 particular synthetic sponge, of polyester, of polyorthoester, of polymethyl methacrylate or of any other flexible medical-grade polymers and, preferably, it can be translucent. 5 The locating mark can in particular be formed by a band of flexible material with a width of greater than 1.5 mm and/or less than 5 mm extending, for example, along an edge, for example along the entire length, of 10 abutment means or of a non-invasive electrode. The locating mark can in particular be formed by a bead of silicone or of foam. Advantageously, the risk of injury to the limbus (edge of the cornea) is thereby 15 reduced. The abutment face and/or the locating mark can also comprise suction means for fixing on the surface of the eye in the abutment position of the support. These 20 means can be passive (foam exposing a multiplicity of open cells, suction cups), that is to say able to fix themselves to the surface of the eye by simple pressing against this surface. They can also be active, that is to say require aspiration. 25 Advantageously, these suction means contribute to stabilizing the support in the abutment position of the support. 30 The locating mark and/or the abutment means of the support can be formed by or at least partially covered by a non-slip material that is able to limit the sliding movement on the surface of the eye. 35 As has been explained above, the locating mark is disposed in such a way that it can remain in contact with the surface of the eye during the penetration of the injection needle or needles through this surface.

- 18 In one embodiment, the locating mark is designed in such a way as to guide the penetration of the injection needle or needles into the eye while remaining in 5 contact with the surface of the eye. In particular, the locating mark can serve as a point of rotation for the injection needle or needles during said penetration. An increase, during said penetration, of the surface of the locating mark in contact with the surface of the 10 eye can also improve the precision of this penetration. Guide means An injection needle can be fixed on the support, that 15 is to say can be permanently immobilized on the support, or, as an alternative, can be mounted movably on the support, either releasably or non-releasably. For this purpose, the support can have guide means, for 20 example in the form of a slide rail that permits a guided sliding movement of the injection needle on the support. The slide rail can in particular be a through orifice with a cross section matching that of the injection needle it is intended to receive. The guide 25 means can guide the injection needle in movements along the curve of the needle. In the case of a rectilinear needle, the injection needle is guided along its axis. A rotation about its axis remains possible. 30 Alternatively, the guide rail can also prevent such a rotation. The span of the guide rail, that is to say the distance between the two farthest points of the guide rail, can 35 be greater than 2 mm, greater than 3 mm, greater than 4 mm, or greater than 5 mm. A large span advantageously permits efficient guiding.

- 19 The injection needle can be releasable, that is to say can optionally be disconnected completely from the support. 5 The invention thus also relates to a device according to the invention that does not necessarily comprise an injection needle. In particular, the invention proposes a support comprising a locating mark disposed such that it can be placed in contact, along a contact line 10 having a length of at least 2 mm, or at least 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm, 9 mm, or 11 mm, with the limbus of an eye, and can then be kept in a position bearing on the limbus while an injection needle and/or an invasive electrode moves, guided by the support. 15 The support can have one or more of the optional or necessary features of the supports of the devices according to the invention. In particular, it can comprise an abutment face having a shape matching the 20 surface of the eye. In one embodiment, the support is designed in such a way that - the locating mark can be placed in contact, 25 along said contact line, with the limbus of the eye, and - the abutment face can be placed bearing on the surface of the eye, without an injection needle or an invasive electrode 30 having had to come into contact with the eye. Electrodes In one embodiment, the device comprises at least one 35 invasive or non-invasive electrode. Preferably, the device comprises an assembly of electrodes composed of first and second sets of electrodes designed to be - 20 connected electrically to first and second terminals, respectively, of an electrical generator. The assembly of electrodes can in particular comprise 5 electrodes disposed in such a way as to ensure electroporation, facilitating the transfer of the product emerging from the injection needle or needles. In a particular embodiment, at least one ejection 10 orifice of an injection needle of the device opens out between an electrode of the first set of electrodes and an electrode of the second set of electrodes in such a way that product can emerge from the injection needle in a zone that can be covered by an electrical field 15 generated by said electrodes. In one embodiment, one or more of the invasive electrodes, or all of the invasive electrodes, are electrically insulated over at least part of their 20 length, for example by means of an insulating cover. In particular, the electrically insulated part of the protruding part can extend from the support by a length of between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, for example by about 1 mm, particularly when the invasive electrode is designed to 25 be inserted in a ciliary muscle, or by between 10 mm and 14 mm or between 11 mm and 13 mm, for example by about 12 mm, particularly when the invasive electrode is designed to be inserted in a vitreous cavity, or more generally by a length of between 0.5 mm, or 1 mm, 30 and 30 mm. The whole of the protruding part can be electrically insulated. The part of an invasive electrode in contact with the support, called the "inserted part", can have a length 35 of between 10 and 20 mm, for example about 15 mm. Preferably, the inserted part is electrically insulated from the support.

- 21 An injection needle can be made at least in part, or entirely, of an electrically conductive material so as to constitute an invasive electrode. When the device comprises several injection needles, one or more of 5 these injection needles, or all of these injection needles, can constitute invasive electrodes. The first and second sets of electrodes can, for example, be formed by injection needles. 10 One or more of the optional features described above for the injection needle or needles of the device can be applied to one or more invasive electrodes of the device, whether or not these are injection needles. 15 In one embodiment, the device comprises three injection needles in fluid communication and belonging to one and the same set of electrodes. The other set of electrodes can be formed, for example, 20 by one or more non-invasive electrodes, which may or may not belong to the device. Preferably, the device comprises one or more non invasive electrodes. A non-invasive electrode can be 25 flexible or rigid. In one embodiment, the device comprises a rigid non invasive electrode with an electrically conductive element designed to come into contact with the surface 30 of the eye and preferably configured so as to match the shape of the latter. Preferably, the conductive element comprises, or is formed by, a cover made of an electrically conductive 35 material, covering at least part of, preferably almost all of, an abutment face as described above.

- 22 The conductive cover can, for example, extend across the whole abutment face except for an edge that is designed to serve as a locating mark and is preferably formed by a flexible material, as defined above. The 5 conductive element can also comprise, or be formed by, a plurality of pins connected electrically to one another and disposed, preferably regularly, on the contact surface of an abutment face. 10 The abutment face carrying the conductive element can have one or more of the optional features of the abutment face of the abutment means described above. In one embodiment, the support has a concave, 15 substantially spherical surface which, seen from the front, has a substantially rectangular shape, said surface being designed to serve as abutment means and being covered, at least in part, or almost entirely, by an electrically conductive cover that can serve as an 20 electrode. The device can further comprise electrical connection means, in particular electrical connection terminals, making it possible to electrically connect said 25 electrode or electrodes to the terminals of an electrical generator. The device can comprise a reservoir of product that is to be injected, in particular a reservoir integral with 30 the support, and means for transferring product from this reservoir to the injection needle or needles. In a second main embodiment, the invention relates to an injection device for injecting a product into an 35 eye, said device comprising a support and an injection needle, the injection needle being fixed on said support or the support being able to guide a sliding movement of said needle, said support having a concave - 23 contact surface designed to extend over not more than one quadrant of a hemisphere and adapted to match the shape of the surface of the eye, in particular the substantially spherical surface of the sclera. This 5 contact surface can serve as an abutment face and/or a substrate for one or more electrodes, in particular non-invasive electrodes, and/or a substrate for a locating mark. 10 The other features, possibly optional, of the device of the first main embodiment described above, and in particular the features relating to the number of injection needles and electrodes, to their shape and arrangement, to the shape of the abutment face, or of 15 the locating mark, can be applied optionally to the device of the second main embodiment. In a third main embodiment, the invention relates to an injection device comprising: 20 - an injection needle oriented in an injection needle direction, - a support on which said injection needle is fixed or which can guide a sliding movement of the injection needle, 25 - abutment means that are able to limit the penetration of the injection needle in said injection needle direction, said abutment means having an abutment face, preferably of substantially spherical shape, 30 said device being distinguished by the fact that the injection needle and the main axis of the abutment face extend in parallel planes, and that, in a projection in one of these planes, the direction of the injection needle forms an angle 5 of greater than 20' and/or less 35 than 85' with the main axis of the abutment face. The other features, possibly optional, of the devices of the first and second embodiments described above can - 24 be applied optionally to the device according to the third main embodiment. In a fourth main embodiment, the invention relates to 5 an electroporation device for introducing a product into an eye, said device comprising: - an invasive electrode, - a support on which the invasive electrode is fixed or which can guide a sliding movement of 10 said invasive electrode, said device having a locating mark disposed in such a way that said locating mark can be placed in contact with a defined bearing region of the surface of the eye, before any contact of the invasive electrode with 15 said surface, and can then be kept in contact with said bearing region during a normal penetration of said invasive electrode through said surface of the eye. The invasive electrode can in particular be an 20 injection needle. In a fifth main embodiment, the invention relates to an electroporation device for introducing a product into an eye, said device comprising a support and an 25 invasive electrode, the invasive electrode being fixed on said support or the support being able to guide a sliding movement of said needle, said support having a concave contact surface designed to extend over not more than one quadrant of a hemisphere and adapted to 30 match the shape of the surface of the eye, in particular the substantially spherical surface of the sclera. This contact surface can serve as an abutment face and/or a substrate for one or more electrodes, in particular non-invasive electrodes, and/or a substrate 35 for a locating mark. In a sixth main embodiment, the invention relates to an electroporation device comprising: - 25 - an invasive electrode oriented in an invasive electrode direction, - a support on which said invasive electrode is fixed or which can guide a sliding movement of 5 the invasive electrode, - abutment means, preferably integral with the support, that are able to limit the penetration of the invasive electrode in said invasive electrode direction, said abutment means having 10 an abutment face, preferably of substantially spherical shape, said device being distinguished by the fact that the invasive electrode and the main axis of the abutment face extend in parallel planes, or in one and the same 15 plane, and that, in a projection in one of these planes, the invasive electrode direction forms an angle of greater than 20' and/or less than 85' with the main axis of the abutment face. 20 The features, possibly optional, of the devices of the three first main embodiments described above can be applied optionally to the devices of the fourth, fifth and sixth main embodiments. 25 In particular, the invasive electrode can have one or more of the features of the injection needle of the devices according to the three first main embodiments of the invention. 30 The device can in particular comprise three invasive electrodes that can be electrically connected to one and the same terminal of an electrical generator, it being possible for these three invasive electrodes to be designed and arranged like the injection needles of 35 the three first main embodiments of the invention. The invention also relates to an electroporation device comprising an injection device according to the - 26 invention with at least two electrodes and an electrical generator electrically connected to said electrodes so as to be able to generate an electrical field between said electrodes. Preferably, the 5 electrical generator is designed to promote the electroporation of a product injected into an eye by means of said injection device. Preferably, the injection device then comprises at least one invasive electrode and one non-invasive electrode. 10 The invention also relates to a method for injecting a product into an eye by means of a device according to the first main embodiment of the invention, said method comprising the following successive steps: 15 a) placing the locating mark in contact with a bearing region of the surface of the eye, b) causing the injection needle or needles to penetrate into the eye while keeping said locating mark in contact with said bearing 20 region. The bearing region can in particular be an edge of the cornea at the interface between the cornea and the sclera. 25 In one embodiment, at step b), the injection needle or needles are rotated about the bearing region. In one embodiment, in which the injection needle or 30 needles slide relative to the support, step b) can result from a sliding movement of these injection needles relative to the support, the support having been immobilized by being pressed on the surface of the eye. In particular, this immobilization can result from 35 the complementary shapes of the locating mark and the limbus of the eye.

- 27 The invention also relates to an electroporation method for introducing a product into an eye by means of a device according to the fourth main embodiment described above, said method comprising the following 5 successive steps: a) placing the locating mark in contact with a bearing region of the surface of the eye, b) causing the invasive electrode or electrodes to 10 penetrate into the eye while keeping said locating mark in contact with said bearing region, c) generating an electrical field between said invasive electrode and another electrode, for 15 example a non-invasive electrode also fixed on the electroporation device, the electrical field being adapted to promote said electroporation. 20 The bearing region can in particular be an edge of the cornea. In one embodiment, at step b), the invasive electrode or electrodes are rotated about the bearing region. 25 In one embodiment, in which the invasive electrode or electrodes slide relative to the support, step b) can result from a sliding movement of these invasive electrodes relative to the support, the support having 30 been immobilized by being pressed on the surface of the eye. In particular, this immobilization can result from the complementary shapes of the locating mark and the limbus of the eye. 35 In a preferred embodiment, the invasive electrode or electrodes constitute injection needles, and the electroporation method comprises a step of injection of - 28 the product. This injection step can take place before, during or after step c). Brief description of the figures 5 Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear upon reading the following detailed description and by examining the attached drawing, in which: 10 - Figure 1 shows, in perspective, a first embodiment of an injection device according to the invention for injection, with electroporation, of a product into a ciliary muscle of an eye; 15 - Figure 2 shows a plan view of this device; - Figures 3 and 4 show, along the transverse median plane A-A and the transverse plane B-B shown in 20 Figure 2, cross sections of the device shown in Figure 1; - Figure 5 shows, in perspective, a second embodiment of a device according to the invention; 25 - Figure 6 shows the shape of an abutment face of a device according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment; 30 - Figure 7 is a highly schematic depiction of a device according to the invention during a stage of penetration. In Figure 7, it is possible to visualize the angle B between the direction of penetration of an injection needle at the point of 35 penetration into the eye and the direction of this injection needle; - 29 - Figure 8 shows, along a median transverse plane, a cross section of a device according to the invention in a third embodiment; 5 - Figure 9 shows the quantity of hTNFr-Is that has been able to penetrate into cells depending on whether the injected dose has been injected at one injection point or at several injection points, 10 - Figure 10 shows a detail of Figure 3; and - Figure 11 shows a partial view of the device depicted in Figure 10, as observed along the axis Dco by the observer Obs in Figure 10. 15 In Figures 10 and 11, the device has been shown in a position of use, that is to say at the end of the stage of penetration, the spherical envelope S schematically representing the sclera of an eye, and Co schematically 20 representing the cornea of this eye. In Figure 11, only the parts of the needles situated inside the spherical envelope S are shown, in broken lines. 25 In the various figures, identical reference signs are used to designate identical or similar elements. In Figure 5, the reference signs are complemented by a sign. In Figure 8, they are complemented by a '' sign. 30 Definitions The "stage of penetration" of an injection needle corresponds to the entire stage during which the 35 injection needle penetrates "normally" into the eye. "Normal penetration" of the injection needle is understood as a penetration substantially in the local - 30 direction of the injection needle at the point of penetration of this injection needle into the eye, that is to say at the point on the surface of the eye through which the injection needle passes this surface. 5 Such a penetration corresponds to the movement for which an injection needle is designed, so as to avoid the insertion of the needle needlessly damaging the surface of the eye. 10 The locating mark and the injection needle can be designed such that, throughout the stage of penetration of said injection needle into the eye, the local direction of the injection needle at the point of penetration into the eye forms, with the direction of 15 its forward movement at said point of penetration, or "direction of penetration", an angle p that is always less than an angle of maximum spacing Bmax of 150, preferably 10', or 50. 20 The "local direction of the injection needle at the point of penetration into the eye" is defined by the tangent to the injection needle at the point of the eye through which the needle penetrates into the latter. In the case of a rectilinear needle, this direction is 25 defined by the axis of the needle. The "direction of the forward movement at the point of penetration" is the direction of the speed vector of the region of the needle situated at said point of 30 penetration. When the needle penetrates by means of a rotation of the support about a bearing point, this direction is thus defined by the tangent, at the point of penetration, to the circle centered on this bearing point and passing through said point of penetration. 35 For example, with a rectilinear needle, "normal"! penetration corresponds to a movement of the needle along the axis of the needle. The direction of - 31 penetration then forms a constant angle, throughout the stage of penetration, with the surface of the eye at the point of penetration of said injection needle. This angle can be 90', although "normal" penetration is not 5 limited to this angle. The stage of penetration preferably lasts from the first contact of the injection needle with the surface of the eye until a position of use. 10 The "main axis"' of a surface is the direction perpendicular to a surface passing through its center. In the present description, the adjectives "upper" and 15 "lower" are defined with respect to a vertical direction V as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4. The adjectives "right-hand" and "left-hand" are defined with respect to the view in Figure 2. 20 A "quadrant of a hemisphere" designates a quarter of the surface of this hemisphere obtained by cuts in two perpendicular planes that intersect along the main axis of the hemisphere. 25 In the present description, unless otherwise stated, "comprising a" should be understood as "comprising at least one". 30 Detailed description of an embodiment The injection device 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a support 12 on which are fixed three identical and rectilinear injection needles 141, 142 and 35 143 oriented parallel to one another in a needle direction Dneedle- - 32 The three injection needles belong to one and the same plane, called the "plane of the needles" and designated Pneedles 5 In order to be secured on the support 12, the injection needles are sandwiched between a main part 12a of the support 12 and a blocking piece 12b, which is fixed on the main part 12a, for example by clipping, by adhesive bonding or by fusion of material. 10 The needle 142 extends at an equal distance between the needles 141 and 143. The distance di between the needle 142 and the needles 141 and 143 can be greater than 3 mm or 3.5 mm or 4 mm and less than 6 mm or 5.5 mm. In 15 particular, it can be about 4.5 mm (Figure 2). Since the three needles are identical and are fixed in a similar manner on the support, only the needle 141 is described in detail, with reference to Figure 4. For a 20 given reference sign, the indices "1!", "!2"! and "!3"! relate to the injection needles 141, 142 and 143, respectively. The needle 141 extends from a proximal end 161, embedded 25 in the support, to a distal end 171 with a beveled tip, for facilitating the penetration of the needle into the eye, and opening out via an axial ejection orifice. The distal ends 171, 172 and 173 of the three needles 141, 142 and 143 extend substantially in an arc of a circle 30 F 1 7 , as is shown in Figures 2 and 11. The needle 141 is traversed in the normal way by a lumen 181, which is designed for the transfer of product from the proximal end to the distal end. The external diameter of the needle 141 is, for example, about 0.3 mm. 35 The injection needle 141 comprises a protruding part 221, that is to say protruding from the support, and an engaged part 241, embedded in the support. The length - 33 122 of the protruding part 221 can be, for example, between 3.3 and 3.7 mm, an ideal length being 3.5 mm. The protruding parts of the three injection needles can have a substantially identical length. 5 The protruding part 221 of the needle 141 is covered along part of its length by an insulating cover 341. The insulating cover 341 can continue along the engaged part of the injection needle 141 and can even completely 10 cover this engaged part. The proximal ends of the needles open into a common distribution channel 20 in fluid communication with the outside of the support. The distribution channel 20 15 thus allows product to be delivered from outside the support to the proximal ends of the injection needles, and then, by way of the lumens of these injection needles, to the distal ends of the injection needles. The diameter d 20 of the distribution channel 20 can be 20 greater than 0.5 mm or 0.6 mm and/or less than 0.9 mm or less than 0.8 mm, an ideal diameter being 0.7 mm. The device also comprises means (not shown) for plugging one or more of the needles or for plugging the 25 inlet of the distribution channel 20. The injection needles protrude from the support 12 through an insertion face 26 of substantially spherical shape, that is to say carried by a spherical envelope, 30 so as to remain spaced apart from the surface of the eye in the position of abutment of the support, such that the user can observe the point of penetration of the needle. 35 The insertion face 26 is inclined with respect to the direction Dneedle, and it then joins an intermediate face 36 which is substantially flat, substantially parallel to the plane of the needles Pneedles and spaced apart by a - 34 defined distance d 36 from this plane, in such a way that the distance between the locating mark, in the form of a band 50 which will be described later, and the points of penetration of the different needles into the 5 spherical envelope S, corresponding substantially to the surface of the eye in the position of abutment of the support, is about 4 mm. At the opposite end from the insertion face 26, the 10 intermediate face 36 is continued by an abutment face 40. The abutment face 40 extends along a spherical envelope S with center C and radius R, as is shown in Figures 4, 6 and 10. The radius R is about 14.75 mm and corresponds to the radius of the outer surface of the 15 eye, in the region of the sclera, near the cornea. The main axis D 40 of the abutment face 40 is the straight line intersecting the abutment face 40 perpendicularly at its center C 4 0 . The main axis thus 20 passes through the center C of the spherical envelope S. It is included in the median plane A-A shown in Figure 2 (see also Figure 10). In the plane perpendicular to the plane of the needles 25 Pneedles and including the needle 141, the abutment face 40 extends over an angle sector 0 of, for example, greater than 30 and less than 40', for example about 36 degrees. 30 In the plane of the needles Pneedles, the abutment face 40 extends over an angle sector a of, for example, greater than 80' and less than 90'. The abutment face 40 is delimited by two large sides, 35 namely an upper edge 42 and a lower edge 44, which are substantially parallel and circular and which extend in planes substantially parallel to the plane of the needles Pneedles, and by two small sides, namely a right- - 35 hand lateral edge 46 and a left-hand lateral edge 48, which are also substantially parallel and circular and which extend in planes substantially parallel to the median plane A-A. 5 As is shown in Figure 6, in which the spherical envelope S is shown, the upper edge 42 and lower edge 44 thus extend along "parallels" P 4 4 and P 4 2 with radii

R

4 4 and R 4 2 , respectively, the "parallels" being defined 10 with respect to an axis N'S', while the right-hand and left-hand lateral edges 46 and 48 extend along parellels P 4 6 and P 4 8, with radii R 4 6 and R 48 respectively, defined with respect to an axis W'E' perpendicular to the axis N'S' and intersecting the 15 latter at the center C. The radius R 4 2 can be greater than 8 mm, or greater than 8.5 mm, or 8.8 mm, or 8.9 mm and/or less than 10 mm or less than 9.5 mm, or 9.2 mm, or 9.1 mm or even 9 mm. 20 The radius R 4 2 can in particular be 8. 94 mm. The radius R 4 4 is defined in such a way that the lower edge 44 can match the edge of the cornea. 25 The radius R 4 4 can be greater than 6 mm or 6.4 mm or even 6.5 mm and/or less than 7 mm, or 6.8 mm, or even 6.7 mm. A radius R 4 4 of 6.58 mm is ideal. Seen from the front, the abutment face 40 thus has a 30 substantially rectangular shape, of which the center C 40 is half way between the lower edge 44 and the upper edge 42 and between the right-hand lateral edge 46 and the left-hand lateral edge 48. 35 The corners 4 9 d and 4 9 9 between the lower edge 44 and the right-hand and left-hand lateral edges 46 and 48, respectively, are preferably rounded in order to limit - 36 the risks of injury. The radius of curvature of the rounded corners can be 1 mm, for example. The distance between the right-hand and left-hand 5 lateral edges 46 and 48, as measured in the direction W'E', can be greater than 17 mm, 19 mm or 20 mm and/or less than 25 mm, 23 mm or 22 mm. It can be 21.11 mm, for example. 10 The distance between the upper edge 42 and lower edge 44, as measured in the direction N'S', can be greater than 1.9 mm, 2.2 mm, or 2.3 mm and/or less than 3 mm, 2.6 mm, or 2.5 mm. A height of 2.4 mm is ideal. 15 In the embodiment shown, the lower edge 44 is delimited by a band 50 of flexible material, for example of silicone. The rest of the abutment face 40 is covered by an electrically conductive cover 52. 20 As will be seen later in the description, the band 50 is a locating mark, and the cover 52 can serve as a non-invasive electrode. In the sectional plane of Figure 4, the distance D 50 25 between the band 50 and the point of penetration P 1 of the injection needle 141 into the spherical envelope S is preferably greater than 1 mm, greater than 2 mm, greater than 3 mm, greater than 3.5 mm and/or less than 6 mm, less than 5 mm, or less than 4.5 mm. This feature 30 preferably applies to each of the needles, in each case considering a sectional plane containing the needle in question and extending parallel to the plane B-B. A distance of 4 mm is ideal. 35 As is shown in Figure 11, the band 50 constitutes a locating line that extends in an arc of a circle F 50 whose radius R 50 is substantially equal to the radius of the edge E of the cornea Co, that is to say preferably - 37 between 5 and 8 mm, preferably between 6 and 7 mm. The center of the arc of a circle F 50 is designated C5o. Its axis is designated "Dco " and passes substantially through the center C of the spherical envelope on which 5 the abutment face 40 extends. In the position of use, the abutment face thus bears completely on the sclera of the eye, and the locating mark bears completely on the edge of the cornea. 10 With "i" designating the index sign of the needle 14j, the following designations apply: - Pi is the point of penetration of the needle 14i 15 into the spherical envelope S, corresponding virtually to the sclera of the eye; - Pli is the plane passing through the center C of the spherical envelope S, through the point of 20 penetration Pi and intersecting perpendicularly the arc of a circle F 50 (the median sectional plane A-A thus corresponding to the plane P1 2 ); - Q± is the point of the arc of a circle F 50 through 25 which the plane P1 1 intersects the arc of a circle

F

50 ; - li is the distance between the points Q± and P±; 30 - A± is the minimum distance between the surface of the spherical envelope S and the distal end 17± of the needle 14±, or "depth A±"; - o is the angle, with the center C as its apex, 35 between the point Q± and the point of penetration Pi.

- 38 In the planes P1 1 , P1 2 and P1 3 , the spherical envelope S is thus intersected along a great circle, and the cornea Co, intersected through its center, has a cross section of substantially maximum area. 5 All the points of penetration Pi of the needles 14i belong to one and the same circle Fp. The distal ends 171, 172 and 173 of said needles belong to one and the same circle F 1 7 . The circles F 50 , Fp and F 17 are coaxial 10 with axis DCo. Whichever needle is considered, the distance between the center C and the distal end of said needle, R 17 , is substantially constant. The same applies to the depth A of said distal ends with respect to the surface of the spherical envelope S. Finally, 15 whichever needle is considered, the angle o is substantially the same. Whichever needle 14i is considered, the distance li is greater than 1 mm, preferably greater than 1.5 mm, more 20 preferably greater than 1.8 mm and less than 3 mm, preferably less than 1.5 mm, more preferably less than 1.2 mm, and the depth A is greater than 0.5 mm, preferably greater than 0.6 mm, more preferably greater than 0.8 mm, and less than 1.5 mm, preferably less than 25 1.3 mm, more preferably less than 1.2 mm. This embodiment is particularly ideal for an injection into the ciliary muscle of the eye. In another embodiment (not shown), whichever needle 14i 30 is considered, the distance li is greater than 2 mm, preferably greater than 3 mm, and less than 4.5 mm, preferably less than 4 mm, or less than 3.5 mm, and the distance A± is greater than 6 mm, preferably greater than 8 mm, and less than 15 mm, preferably less than 13 35 mm. This embodiment is particularly ideal for an injection into the vitreous body.

- 39 The angle 5 between the main axis D 40 of the abutment face 40 and the needle direction Dneedle Of the needle 142 is between 50 and 60 degrees, for example about 55 degrees (Figure 10). Advantageously, such angles 5 5 allow the locating mark 50 bearing on the edge of the cornea to be positioned ideally for an injection into the ciliary muscle. The angle 5, the distance d 36 and the length of the 10 needles are determined in such a way that the needles can penetrate into the eye to a depth of greater than 700 pm and less than 3 mm in the position of abutment of the support. Advantageously, this depth permits particularly effective injection into the ciliary 15 muscle. The device shown also comprises a handle 60 to facilitate its manipulation. The overall length "L" of the device is, for example, about 35 mm, and its 20 overall width "l" is, for example, about 21 mm (Figure 3). In the embodiment shown, the device also comprises means for electrically connecting one or more of the 25 injection needles to the terminals of a generator of an electrical signal. For example, the two injection needles 141 and 143 can be electrically connected to a first of the terminals of this generator, while the central injection needle 142 can be connected to the 30 other terminal of this generator. The device can also comprise means for electrically connecting the cover 52 to one of the terminals of the generator. 35 As is shown in Figure 4, the support can in particular comprise conduits 62 permitting the introduction of pins for electrical connection to one or more of the - 40 injection needles, or to all the injection needles. The electrical current can preferably be transmitted by way of the distribution channel 20, for example if this channel comprises a wall 64 made of an electrically 5 conductive material. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the three needles 141, 142 and 143 are electrically connected to a first terminal of the generator, while the cover 52 is 10 connected to the second terminal of this generator. Figure 5 shows a variant of the device described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In this variant, the width of the intermediate face 36 is reduced in order to 15 minimize the overall size and in order thereby to facilitate the positioning of the device between the two eyelids of a subject who is conscious. Figure 5 also shows the pins 70 and 72 permitting the electrical connection, to the terminals of a generator, of a first 20 set of electrodes formed by a cover 52' and a second set of electrodes formed by injection needles 141', 142' and 143'. The device shown in Figure 5 also has a product 25 reservoir 74 in fluid communication with a distribution channel (not shown) common to the three injection needles. Means (not shown) are also provided for transferring the product, for example a piston that can discharge the product out of the reservoir into the 30 distribution channel. Figure 8 shows a variant of a device according to the invention designed in particular for injection into the vitreous cavity of an eye. 35 The device shown in a median cross section in Figure 8 comprises a support 12'' and a single injection needle 14''.

- 41 The support 12'' comprises abutment means, in this case an abutment face 40'' that extends along a spherical envelope S. The spherical envelope S corresponds 5 substantially to the surface of the eye in the position of abutment of the support, in which the abutment face 40'' is in contact with the surface of the eye. The center C of this spherical envelope thus corresponds substantially to the center of the eye ball. 10 The length of the injection needle introduced into the eye is much greater than that of the device described above, designed for an injection into the ciliary muscle. This length is preferably between 10 and 13 mm, 15 for example about 12 mm. Such a length of the injection needle would not be able to penetrate, unless the injection needle is curved, by rotation about the band 50, without damaging the surface of the eye if the injection needle 14'' were fixed on the support. 20 It is for this reason that the injection needle 14'' is not fixed on the support but instead can slide in a through-orifice 82 of the support between a retracted position (not shown) and a needle abutment position, or 25 "deployed position", as shown in Figure 8. In order to determine the needle abutment position, the injection needle 14'' comprises needle abutment means 80 which can limit the length by which the protruding 30 part 22'' of the injection needle 14'' projects from the support 12''. The distance D 50 '' between the locating mark 50'' and the point of penetration P'' of the injection needle 35 14'' into the spherical envelope S is, for example, about 4 mm.

- 42 In the embodiment shown, the injection needle 14'' has a length such that, in the needle abutment position, its distal end is near the center C. 5 In one embodiment, the device also comprises means for driving the needle from its retracted position to its deployed position. Advantageously, the deployed position can thus be achieved quickly and effectively, for example by simple manipulation of an actuating 10 button. The embodiment in Figure 8 is particularly advantageous for needles that have to penetrate into the eye by a length of greater than 5 mm, greater than 7 mm, or 15 greater than 10 mm and/or less than 15 mm. To use a device of the kind described in Figures 1 to 6, the operator can proceed by the following steps: 20 First, the operator couples the device to a source of product, for example a syringe filled with product. He then electrically connects the first and second sets of electrodes to the two terminals of an electrical generator. The device is then ready to be applied to 25 the eye into which an injection of product is desired. To position the device, as shown in Figure 7, the operator places the locating mark 50 on the edge E of the cornea of the eye 0, taking care to ensure that the 30 tips of the injection needles do not come into contact with the eye. The placement on the edge of the cornea advantageously permits a stable but also very precise positioning. 35 While keeping the locating mark 50 in contact with the edge of the cornea, the operator then causes the injection needles to penetrate through the surface of the eye by rotating the support 12 about the locating - 43 mark 50 (arrow F). The three needles penetrate substantially simultaneously through this surface. As is shown in Figure 7, at the point of penetration P 1 5 of the needle 141 into the eye 0, the direction of penetration V 14 of the needle 141 forms an angle Bi with the needle direction Dneedle. The arrangement and shape of the needles 141, 142 and 143 allow their respective directions of penetration to form, at their respective 10 points of penetration, angles Bi, B2 and B3 with the needle direction Dneedle that are substantially equal to B. The length of the injection needles and/or their shape are preferably determined in such a way that, throughout the stage of penetration, in this case until 15 the abutment position of the support, this angle remains less than 15', preferably 100, or 50, regardless of the degree of engagement reached. The shape of the abutment face, in particular the fact 20 that it does not extend over more than one quadrant of a hemisphere, facilitates the positioning of the device and the manipulation thereof during the stage of penetration of the injection needles. 25 The operator continues the movement of penetration until the abutment face 40, in an abutment position of the support, comes to fit the sclera. The inventors have shown that human eyes all have very 30 similar dimensions and shapes and, in particular, that the distance between the ciliary muscle and the edge of the cornea of an eye is substantially the same regardless of the individual concerned. The shape and arrangement of the injection needles, of the locating 35 mark and of the abutment face are determined such that, in the abutment position of the support, the operator is guaranteed that the ejection orifices of the injection needles open into the ciliary muscle. In the - 44 abutment position of the support, the operator then knows that the injection needles are perfectly positioned and that the product will be properly injected into the ciliary muscle. He then immobilizes 5 the device in this position. The bearing of the abutment face 40 on the sclera and the bearing of the locating mark 50 on the edge of the cornea guarantee a good stability of the device. 10 The arrangement of the invasive electrodes, in this case the injection needles 141, 142 and 143, with respect to the non-invasive electrode, in this case the cover 52, makes it possible to create an electrical field particularly effective for electroporation. 15 The operator can then begin the injection of the product by acting on the piston of the syringe. The operator then sends a suitable electrical signal, 20 for example suitable electrical impulses, by means of the electrical generator, in such a way as to create, within the injection zone, an electrical field that promotes electroporation. 25 The increase in the local pressure in the area of the injection points is reputed to promote the introduction of the injected product into the cells, particularly in the case of transfection. A person skilled in the art therefore generally considers it preferable to limit 30 the number of injection points, if possible by using only a single injection needle. Surprisingly, however, the inventors have found that multiplication of the injection points promotes the penetration of the product, as can be deduced from Figure 9. A device with 35 three needles proves particularly effective. Figure 9 shows in fact that the result of injecting a volume of 10 pl containing 30 pg of plasmid coding for - 45 a TNF soluble receptor is inferior to that of injecting a volume of 30 pl also containing 30 pg of said plasmid (hydrodynamic effect), itself inferior to the result of injecting three volumes of 10 pl, each containing 10 pg 5 of the plasmid, simultaneously from three injection needles. This demonstrates that multiple injection, that is to say simultaneously through several injection points, is 10 preferable to a single injection of an equal dose of plasmid. When the injection of the product has been completed, the operator electrically disconnects the electrodes 15 and the generator and then withdraws the injection needles from the eye. The use of the device shown in Figure 8 differs from that described for the device shown in Figures 1 to 6 20 in that the positioning of the support can be carried out independently of the penetration of the injection needle 14'' into the eye. First, as has been described above, the operator places 25 the locating mark 50 on the edge of the cornea of the eye, then places the abutment face 4 0'' on this surface, the injection needle 14'' being in a retracted position, for example fully withdrawn from the through orifice 82. 30 With the support in the abutment position of the support, the operator can then deploy the injection needle from the support and cause the distal end to penetrate into the eye, and he can then push this 35 injection needle as far as the needle abutment position shown in Figure 8, where the needle abutment means 80 bear on the support 12''.

- 46 This embodiment of the invention has the advantage of avoiding any accidental contact of the injection needle with the surface of the eye. In addition, it permits penetration of a substantial needle length into the 5 eye. The other steps of injection and/or of generation of an electrical signal that promotes electroporation are identical to those described above. 10 The removal of the device shown in Figure 8 is also particularly advantageous. This is because the operator, when withdrawing the injection needle 14'' from the eye, can make use of the guiding action 15 resulting from the sliding of the injection needle 14'' in the through-orifice 82, acting as a slide rail for the injection needle 14''. The risk of damage to the eye is then particularly low. 20 As will now be clear, the device according to the invention permits very precise positioning on the surface of the eye, before penetration of an injection needle and/or of an invasive electrode. It also allows said needle(s) and electrode(s) to be guided during the 25 stage of penetration. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, which have been provided by way of illustration. 30 In particular, the injection needles might not constitute invasive electrodes. The abutment face might also not carry a non-invasive electrode. 35 Likewise, in other embodiments, the needles might not be injection needles and might instead serve only as invasive electrodes.

- 47 In particular, the various embodiments could be combined. It would be possible in particular to use retractable needles or, more generally, needles that are able to slide on the support, with devices designed 5 for treatment of a ciliary muscle, that is to say with relatively small needles. Finally, the shape of the device is not limited to the one shown. The device could in particular be adapted 10 for injection of product or electroporation in muscles other than the ciliary muscle.

Claims

1. An injection device for injecting a product into an eye comprising: - an injection needle, 5 - a support which is able to guide a sliding movement of the needle, said device comprising a locating mark fixed on the support and disposed, along an arc of a circle with a radius of greater than 5 mm and of less 10 than 8 mm, in such a way that said locating mark can be placed in contact with a defined bearing region of the surface of the eye, before any contact of the needle with said surface, and can then be kept in contact with said bearing region 15 during a stage of penetration of said needle through said surface of the eye, the bearing region being at least a part of the edge of the cornea of the eye , said penetration resulting from a sliding of said injection needle in the 20 support toward said surface of the eye, the device comprising an assembly of electrodes composed of first and second sets of electrodes designed to be connected electrically to first and second terminals, respectively, of an electrical 25 generator.

2. The device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the injection needle is designed in such a way that its distal end can reach the ciliary muscle of the 30 eye during said stage of penetration of the needle.

3. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the injection needle is made, at 35 least in part, of an electrically conductive material, the device comprising connection means - 49 that permit an electrical connection of said needle to an electrical generator.

4. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding 5 claims, comprising abutment means of the support that are able to limit the movement of the support during the stage of penetration, said abutment means being designed in such a way as to limit the length of said injection needle that can be 10 inserted into the eye, during said stage of penetration, to less than 20 mm.

5. The device as claimed in the preceding claim, in which the abutment means are designed in such a 15 way as to limit the length of said injection needle that can be inserted into the eye, during said stage of penetration, to less than 3 mm.

6. The device as claimed in any one of the two 20 immediately preceding claims, in which the abutment means comprise an abutment face , having a spherical shape, the radius of curvature R being greater than 9 mm and less than 14 mm. 25

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, in which the abutment face does not extend over more than a quadrant of a hemisphere.

8. The device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 7, 30 and in which said abutment means comprise an abutment face extending along a spherical envelope, comprising more than one needle extending inside said spherical envelope to an identical depth. 35

9. The device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, in which said abutment means comprise an abutment face extending along a spherical envelope, and in - 50 which the locating mark is a locating line in the shape of an arc of a circle, the axis of said arc of a circle passing through the center of said spherical envelope. 5

10. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the point of insertion of said injection needle in said support is outside the virtual spherical surface of which a great circle 10 include the locating mark.

11. The device as claimed in Claim 9, in which said abutment means comprise an abutment face extending substantially along a spherical envelope, the 15 locating mark extends along a locating line in the shape of an arc of a circle, at least one needle penetrates into the spherical envelope via a point of penetration and, in a plane passing through the center of said spherical envelope, via said 20 point of penetration, and perpendicularly intersecting said arc of a circle, the distance between said point of penetration and the point of said arc of a circle through which said plane intersects said arc of a circle is 25 (1) greater than 1 mm and less than 3 mm, said needle extending inside said spherical envelope to a depth greater than 0.5 mm and less than 1.5 mm; or (2) greater than 2 mm and less than 4.5 mm, 30 said needle extending inside said spherical envelope to a depth of greater than 6 mm and less than 15 mm.

12. The device as claimed in Claim 1, in which said 35 injection needle constitutes an invasive electrode of the first set of electrodes. - 51

13. The device as claimed in the preceding claim, in which the second set of electrodes comprises an electrically conductive cover, and in which said cover at least partially covers an abutment face. 5

14. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the locating mark is designed to bear on more than 5 mm of the edge of the cornea.

15. The device claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least three needles, the distal ends of said needles extending along an arc of a circle, which does not belong to a plane perpendicular to the local direction of said needles in the area of their distal ends, the position of said needle being the needle abutment position.

16. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the locating mark is designed to bear only along a length of less than 20 mm.

17. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more non-invasive electrodes.

18. The device as claimed in claim 17, comprising a rigid non-invasive electrode with an electrically conductive element designed to come into contact with the surface of the eye.

19. The device as claimed in claim 18, in which said non-invasive electrode is configured so as to match the shape of the surface of the eye.

20. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the support has a concave, substantially spherical surface which, seen from - 52 the front, has a substantially rectangular shape, said surface being designed to serve as abutment means that are able to limit the movement of the support during the stage of penetration, and being covered, at least in part, by an electrically conductive cover that serves as an electrode.

21. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising three invasive electrodes that can be electrically connected to one and the same terminal of an electrical generator.

22. The device as claimed in any of claims 6 to 21, in which the injection needle and the main axis of the abutment face extend in parallel planes, and in which, in a projection in one of these planes, the direction of the injection needle forms an angle 5 of greater than 50 with the main axis of the abutment face, the "main axis" of a surface being the direction perpendicular to said surface passing through its center.

23. An electroporation device comprising an injection device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims with at least two electrodes and an electrical generator electrically connected to said electrodes so as to be able to generate an electrical field between said electrodes, the electric generator being designed to promote the electroporation of a product injected into an eye by means of said injection device.

24. The device as claimed in the preceding claim, where at least one ejection orifice of an injection needle of the device opens out between an electrode of the first set of electrodes and an 5 electrode of the second set of electrodes.