Injectable glaucoma implants with multiple openings

• US 20050266047A1
• Filed: 03/18/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
• Original Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
• Inventors: Tu, Hosheng, Haffner, David, Artof, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 7,431,710 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/427
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 cylindrical
• 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 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/215 of carboxylic acids

Abstract

Intraocular stents and applicators are disclosed for treating glaucoma. The stents are configured to extend between the anterior chamber of the eye and Schlemm'"'"'s canal for enhancing outflow of aqueous from the anterior chamber so as to reduce intraocular pressure. The stents can have features for anchoring the stent into Schlemm'"'"'s canal as well as preventing the walls of Schlemm'"'"'s canal from closing the outlet of the stents. The applicators can be steerable so as to make implantation easier. Additionally, the applicators can be configured to hold a plurality of stents so that multiple stents can be implanted through one incision without removing the applicator from the incision between serial implantations.

Claims

1. An implant for treating glaucoma, the implant comprising:

an inlet portion configured to be positioned in the anterior chamber of an eye;

an outlet portion in fluid communication with the inlet portion, the outlet portion configured to be positioned at least partially in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye; and

a scleral anchor extending from the outlet portion, said scleral anchor configured to penetrate partially the sclera of the eye when the implant is positioned in the eye such that aqueous humor flows from the anterior chamber into the inlet portion, then into the outlet portion, and then into Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

2. The implant of claim 1, further comprising a stop that limits penetration of the implant through the sclera.

3. The implant of claim 2, wherein said stop comprises a base of said outlet portion.

4. The implant of claim 2, wherein said stop comprises an Interface between the outlet portion and the scleral anchor.

5. The implant of claim 1, wherein the scleral anchor comprises a screw configured to penetrate partially the sclera.

6. The implant of claim 2, wherein said stop comprises at least one portion of said scleral anchor configured to radially extend into the sclera.

7. The implant of claim 1, further comprising stop means for limiting penetration of the implant through the sclera.

8. The implant of claim 1, wherein the implant comprises a tube having at least two ends, said tube having multiple openings along a wall of said tube, said openings being spaced apart from the two ends.

9. The implant of claim 8, wherein said tube has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a square, and a polygon.

10. The implant of claim 1, wherein said scleral anchor comprises a sharp end.

11. The implant of claim 1, wherein said scleral anchor comprises a conical shape.

12. The implant of claim 1, wherein said scleral anchor comprises a screw.

13. The implant of claim 1, wherein said scleral anchor comprises at least one protrusion.

14. The implant of claim 1, wherein said scleral anchor comprises a circumferential indentation.

15. A method of treating glaucoma, comprising:

inserting an implant through an incision in the eye, the implant having an inlet portion and an outlet portion;

positioning the implant in the eye by piercing through a first wall of Schlemm'"'"'s canal, such that fluid flows from the anterior chamber through the inlet portion and then through the outlet portion of the implant and into Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye; and

piercing through a second, substantially opposite wall of Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said piercing through a second wall of Schlemm'"'"'s canal is performed with the implant.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising anchoring the implant in the eye with a scleral anchor.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein anchoring the implant in the eye comprises partially penetrating the sclera of the eye with the scleral anchor.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the scleral anchor is on the implant.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said inserting comprises inserting the implant into the anterior chamber of the eye before said piercing through the first wall of Schlemm'"'"'s canal.