Devices and techniques for light-mediated stimulation of trabecular meshwork in glaucoma therapy
First Claim
1. A method for delivering energy to trabecular meshwork in a patient'"'"'s eye, comprising:
- positioning a working face of a member in contact with a patient'"'"'s sclera overlying the trabecular meshwork; and
delivering at least one laser beam through the member wherein said at least one beam is transmitted transclerally to irradiate a region of said trabecular meshwork.
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Abstract
An apparatus and technique for transscleral light-mediated biostimulation of the trabecular plates of a patient'"'"'s eye in a treatment for glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The apparatus includes; (i) a working end geometry for contacting the anterior surface of the sclera and cornea to insure that a laser emission reaches the trabecular meshwork from a particular location on the anterior surface of the sclera, (ii) a laser energy source providing a wavelength appropriate for absorption beneath the anterior scleral surface to the depth of the trabecular plates, and (iii) a dosimetry control system for controlling the exposure of the laser emission at the particular spatial locations. The device uses a light energy source that emits wavelengths in the near-infrared portion of the spectrum, preferably in the range of about 1.30 μm to 1.40 μm or from about 1.55 μm to 1.85 μm. The depth of absorption of such wavelength ranges will extend through most, if not all, of the thickness of the sclera (750 μm to 950 μm). In accordance with a proposed method of trabecular biostimulation, the targeted region is elevated in temperature to a range between about 40° C. to 55° C. for a period of time ranging from about 1 second to 120 seconds or more.
91 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for delivering energy to trabecular meshwork in a patient'"'"'s eye, comprising:
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positioning a working face of a member in contact with a patient'"'"'s sclera overlying the trabecular meshwork; and
delivering at least one laser beam through the member wherein said at least one beam is transmitted transclerally to irradiate a region of said trabecular meshwork. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for delivering energy to a patient'"'"'s trabecular meshwork to treat glaucoma, comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing a laser emitter in contact with a portion of the sclera of the patient'"'"'s eye overlying the trabecular meshwork;
(b) delivering laser energy from the emitter at a wavelength ranging between about 1.30-1.40 μ
m or 1.55-1.85 μ
m; and
(c) modulating the power level, pulse duration and pulse intervals of the laser energy to maintain the temperature of the trabecular meshwork at less than about 60°
C.(d) wherein said laser energy delivery causes substantially uniform thermal effects in all layers of the trabecular meshwork. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method for delivering energy to a patient'"'"'s trabecular meshwork to treat glaucoma, comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing a laser emitter in contact with a patient'"'"'s eye wherein the axis of laser beam propagation is aligned with the trabecular meshwork;
(b) delivering laser energy from the emitter at a selected wavelength; and
(c) modulating the power level, pulse duration and pulse intervals of the laser energy to maintain the temperature of the trabecular meshwork at less than about 60°
C.;
(d) wherein said laser energy delivery causes substantially uniform thermal effects in all layers of the trabecular meshwork.
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Specification