Devices and methods for treating a mammalian eye
First Claim
1. A method for treating an eye, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a device comprising a hollow sleeve having an open proximal end, a distal end, a substantially uniform inner diameter and a substantially uniform outer diameter extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the hollow sleeve terminating at the proximal end;
placing a substantially bioerodible implant including a therapeutic component and sized for placement in an eye, in the hollow sleeve;
passing the distal end of the hollow sleeve through a surface of an eye;
introducing the implant into the eye at a location within the eye by passing the implant out of the distal end of the hollow sleeve; and
withdrawing the hollow sleeve from the eye.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods for delivering a therapeutically active ocular implant into an eye are provided. Such a device generally includes a hollow sleeve having an open proximal end, a distal end, a substantially uniform inner diameter and a substantially uniform outer diameter extending between the proximal end and the open distal end. In addition, the device includes a plunger element having an angled configuration and sized to be slidably received within the sleeve for urging an implant from the distal end of the sleeve and into an eye. Systems for performing ocular research are provided which include a plurality of such hollow sleeves cut from a single flouroplastic tube, and a plurality of plunger elements cut from a single wire. The devices, systems and methods are especially useful for facilitating implantation of relatively fragile, for example brittle, ocular implants in an intact condition.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method for treating an eye, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a device comprising a hollow sleeve having an open proximal end, a distal end, a substantially uniform inner diameter and a substantially uniform outer diameter extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the hollow sleeve terminating at the proximal end;
placing a substantially bioerodible implant including a therapeutic component and sized for placement in an eye, in the hollow sleeve;
passing the distal end of the hollow sleeve through a surface of an eye;
introducing the implant into the eye at a location within the eye by passing the implant out of the distal end of the hollow sleeve; and
withdrawing the hollow sleeve from the eye. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of treating an inflammation-mediated condition of an eye comprising the steps of:
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providing a device including a hollow sleeve having a distal end;
placing an implant sized for placement in an eye, in the hollow sleeve, the implant being substantially non-flexible and including a therapeutic component and a polymeric component;
passing the distal end of the hollow sleeve through a surface of the eye and into the eye;
introducing the implant into a vitreous of the eye by passing the implant out of the distal end of the hollow sleeve; and
withdrawing the hollow sleeve from the eye. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An ocular research system comprising:
a plurality of hollow sleeves, wherein each sleeve is substantially identical to each other sleeve, is sized to be inserted into a vitreous of an eye, and includes a proximal end, a distal end, a substantially uniform inner diameter and a substantially uniform outer diameter extending between the proximal end and the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A device for delivering an ocular implant into an eye, the device consisting essentially of:
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a hollow sleeve including an open proximal end, a distal end, a beveled tip distal to the distal end, a substantially uniform inner diameter and a substantially uniform outer diameter extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the device terminating at and not extending beyond the proximal end, and sized to receive an therapeutic implant; and
a plunger element structured to be slidably received within the hollow sleeve;
the device being structured to be directly manually manipulable when used to introduce a biodegradable implant into a vitreous of an eye.
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Specification