Injectable glaucoma implants with multiple openings

• US 20050271704A1
• Filed: 03/18/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• 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 9,301,875 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/427
• 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: 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: A61M 27/006 Cerebrospinal drainage; Accessories therefor, e.g. valves

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; and

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;

wherein the outlet portion comprises a bulbous portion having at least two outlet openings along a surface of said bulbous potion, said outlet openings being in fluid communication with said outlet and inlet portions.

2. The implant of claim 1, wherein said surface is curvilinear.

3. The implant of claim 1, wherein said surface is polyhedral.

4. The implant of claim 1, wherein said bulbous portion has a shape that comprises at least part of a sphere.

5. The implant of claim 1, wherein said bulbous portion has a shape that comprises at least part of an ellipsoid.

6. The implant of claim 1, wherein said bulbous portion is substantially hemispherical in shape.

7. The implant of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the implant comprises a conical configuration.