Method of treating glaucoma using an implant having a uniform diameter between the anterior chamber and Schlemm's canal

• US 20050209550A1
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
• Original Assignee: Glayco Corporation
• Inventors: Gharib, Morteza (Mory), Bergheim, Olav B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,867,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00891 Glaucoma
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0051 Ocular inserts, ocular implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/06 Antiglaucoma agents or miotics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/905 Eye

Abstract

Surgical methods and related medical devices for treating glaucoma are disclosed. The method comprises trabecular bypass surgery, which involve bypassing diseased trabecular meshwork with the use of a seton implant. The seton implant is used to prevent a healing process known as filling in, which has a tendency to close surgically created openings in the trabecular meshwork. The surgical method and novel implant are addressed to the trabecular meshwork, which is a major site of resistance to outflow in glaucoma. In addition to bypassing the diseased trabecular meshwork at the level of the trabecular meshwork, existing outflow pathways are also used or restored. The seton implant is positioned through the trabecular meshwork so that an inlet end of the seton implant is exposed to the anterior chamber of the eye and an outlet end is positioned into fluid collection channels at about an exterior surface of the trabecular meshwork or up to the level of aqueous veins.

Claims

1. A method of treating glaucoma, comprising:

inserting an implant through an incision in an eye into the anterior chamber of the eye;

transporting the implant from the incision through the anterior chamber of the eye to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye;

positioning the implant such that an inflow portion of the implant is positioned to bypass the trabecular meshwork of the eye and receive fluid from the anterior chamber, and an outflow portion of the implant is positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal;

wherein an outer diameter of the inflow portion, when positioned in the anterior chamber, is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the outflow portion, when positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the incision is in the cornea of the eye.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transporting the implant further comprises extending a portion of the implant through the trabecular meshwork of the eye.