Implant with intraocular pressure sensor for glaucoma treatment

• US 20050119636A1
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
• Original Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
• Inventors: Morteza, Gharib, Tu, Roger, Haffner, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,678,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/16 for measuring intraocular pressure, e.g. tonometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

The invention discloses a trabecular stent and methods for treating glaucoma. The stent may incorporate an intraocular pressure sensor comprising a compressible element that is implanted inside an anterior chamber of an eye, wherein at least one external dimension of the element correlates with intraocular pressure. In some embodiments, the sensor may be coupled to the stent. Also disclosed are methods of delivery of the stent and the sensor to the eye.

Claims

1. A method of treating and monitoring of glaucoma, the method comprising:

providing a delivery device configured to be inserted into an eye of a patient;

providing at least one implant, the implant configured to be held within the delivery device, and the implant comprising;

an inlet and an outlet section, the inlet section being in fluid communication with the outlet section and configured to conduct fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye;

providing a sensor configured to measure intraocular pressure and configured to be held within the delivery device;

positioning the at least one implant in the eye such that an end of the inlet section is in the anterior chamber of the eye and an end of the outlet section is in Schlemm'"'"'s canal;

positioning the sensor in the eye to measure the intraocular pressure of the eye.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one implant and the sensor are positioned substantially simultaneously.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery device comprises a lumen extending through at least a portion thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery device comprises a tube.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the implant and sensor are preloaded in the tube.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of either the sensor or the implant are preloaded in or on the delivery device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting the implant and the sensor into the eye through the same incision in the eye.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is in or on the implant.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the at least one implant in the eye

10. A system for treating and monitoring of glaucoma, the system comprising:

a delivery device configured to be inserted into an eye of a patient;

at least one implant, the implant configured to be held within the delivery device, and the implant comprising;

an inlet and an outlet section, the inlet section being in fluid communication with the outlet section and configured to conduct fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye;

a sensor configured to measure intraocular pressure and configured to be held within the delivery device.

11. A system for treating glaucoma, the system comprising:

an implant configured such that, in use, the implant conducts fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, the implant further configured to be held by a delivery device; and

a pressure sensor configured to be held by a delivery device and further configured to be wholly implanted in the eye;

wherein the delivery device is configured to carry the implant and the sensor and to be inserted into the eye.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to produce a signal corresponding to an intraocular pressure.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a receiver to receive a signal produced by the pressure sensor.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the sensor is configured to be placed in the anterior segment of the eye.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to be attached to the iris of the eye.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the pressure sensor is coupled to the implant.

17. The system of claim 11, further comprising a delivery device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the implant and the sensor is preloaded in or on the delivery device.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein at least one implant and at least one sensor are serially preloaded in the delivery device.

20. An apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure, the apparatus comprising:

a compressible chamber sized to be placed in the anterior chamber of an eye, said chamber configured to change in at least a first dimension in response to a change in intraocular pressure, such that the change in the first dimension is indicative of the change in intraocular pressure.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein a second dimension of the compressible chamber remains substantially constant during said change in intraocular pressure.

22. A method of measuring intraocular pressure, the method comprising:

measuring a dimension of a compressible chamber located in the anterior chamber of an eye, said chamber configured to change in said dimension in response to a change in intraocular pressure.

23. A method of monitoring intraocular pressure, the method comprising:

placing a compressible chamber into the anterior chamber of an eye, said chamber configured to change in at least one dimension in response to a change in intraocular pressure.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising measuring the at least one dimension to determine intraocular pressure.