Intraocular shunt implantation methods and devices

• US 10,524,959 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2017
• Issued: 01/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AqueSys, Inc. (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AqueSys, Inc. (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Horvath, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Weng, Kai H
• Application Number:
  US15/451,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20170172799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand caps with means for protecting the eyes A42B1/018; visors for helmets A42B3/22; retractors A61B17/02; manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; appliances to aid invalids to move about A61H3/00; exercisers for the eyes A61H5/00; eye baths A61H35/02; sunglasses or goggles having the same features as spectacles G02C
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

Devices and methods of implanting an intraocular shunt into an eye can be used to deliver the shunt to a location within the sclera. Some methods involve creating an opening in the sclera, and positioning a shunt in the anterior chamber of the eye such that the shunt terminates via the opening in the intrascleral space, thereby facilitating fluid flow through both the opening and the intrascleral space.

Claims

1. A method for implanting an intraocular shunt in an eye, the eye comprising a sclera and an anterior chamber, the method comprising the steps of:

creating a passage completely through the sclera of the eye to form a scleral channel having an exit at an outer surface of the sclera; and

positioning a shunt in the passage such that, in a final position, (i) an inlet end of the shunt is in the anterior chamber and (ii) an outlet end of the shunt is positioned within the scleral channel and spaced apart from the exit to form a scleral slit for providing resistance to outflow of aqueous humor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the outlet end of the shunt is spaced apart about 200-500 μ

m from the scleral slit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the outlet end of the shunt is spaced apart more than 500 μ

m from the scleral slit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the creating comprises advancing a shaft of an inserter through a cornea of the eye.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the shunt is carried by the shaft.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the shunt is disposed at least partially within the shaft.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the creating comprises inserting the shaft between about 0.25 mm to about 3.0 mm above a corneal limbus of the eye.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the creating comprises advancing a shaft of an inserter through conjunctiva of the eye.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the creating comprises inserting a surgical tool through the sclera to form the passage completely through the sclera before inserting the shunt.

10. A method for implanting an intraocular shunt in an eye, the method comprising:

creating a passage completely through a sclera of the eye, the passage having an exit that forms a scleral slit at a scleral surface adjacent to a subconjunctival space of the eye;

inserting an intraocular shunt into the eye, the shunt having an inlet end and an outlet end;

positioning the inlet end of the shunt in an anterior chamber of the eye; and

positioning the outlet end of the shunt in the sclera of the eye, such that the outlet end lies entirely within the passage,

wherein the scleral slit is configured to open for permitting fluid flow from the anterior chamber to the subconjunctival space.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the outlet end of the shunt is spaced apart from the scleral slit.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the outlet end of the shunt is spaced apart about 200-500 μ

m from the scleral slit.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the outlet end of the shunt is spaced apart more than 500 μ

m from the scleral slit.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the creating comprises advancing a shaft of an inserter through conjunctiva of the eye.

15. A method for regulating fluid pressure in an eye, the method comprising:

advancing a surgical tool through sclera of the eye to form a scleral channel from an anterior chamber to an exit at a subconjunctival location; and

positioning an intraocular shunt within the scleral channel to form a closeable scleral slit that opens upon communication of fluid pressure from the anterior chamber to the scleral slit.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein an outlet end of the shunt is spaced apart from the scleral slit.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the outlet end of the shunt is spaced apart about 200-500 μ

m from the scleral slit.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the outlet end of the shunt is spaced apart more than 500 μ

m from the scleral slit.