Biodegradable glaucoma implant

• US 20050288619A1
• Filed: 08/23/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hosheng Tu, Morteza Gharib, Olav Bergheim
• Original Assignee: Hosheng Tu, Morteza Gharib, Olav Bergheim
• Inventors: Gharib, Morteza, Tu, Hosheng, Bergheim, Olav
• Application Number:
  US11/209,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288619A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/8
• 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

A trabecular shunt and methods for treating glaucoma are disclosed. One of the methods comprises transporting fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye to Schlemm'"'"'s canal through an implant, the implant extending between the anterior chamber and Schlemm'"'"'s canal; sensing an intraocular pressure using a sensor incorporated into the implant; and transmitting a signal indicative of the sensed pressure to an external receiver.

Claims

1. A method of treating glaucoma, comprising:

providing an implant comprising a biodegradable material;

inserting the 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; and

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 a diameter of the outflow portion when positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal is substantially the same as a diameter of the inflow portion when positioned in the anterior chamber.

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.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the outlet section when positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal is configured to be substantially the same as a diameter of the inlet section when positioned in the trabecular meshwork.

5. A device for treating glaucoma comprising an implant having an inlet section with an inlet opening configured to receive fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye and an outlet section with an outlet opening configured to deliver fluid from the outlet section to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, said inlet opening being in fluid communication with the outlet opening, said inlet section being disposed at an angle relative to the outlet section such that the implant is generally L-shaped.

6. A device for treating glaucoma comprising an implant having an inlet section with an inlet opening configured to receive fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye and an outlet section with an outlet opening configured to deliver fluid from the implant to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, said outlet section having a blunt end.

7. A device for treating glaucoma comprising an implant having an inlet section configured to receive fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye and an outlet section configured to deliver fluid from the inlet section to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, said implant comprising a biodegradable material, and wherein a diameter of the outlet section when positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal is configured to be substantially the same as a diameter of the inlet section when positioned in the anterior chamber.

8. A method of treating glaucoma, comprising:

providing an implant comprising a biodegradable material and having an inflow portion configured to receive fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye and an outflow portion configured to deliver fluid from the inflow portion to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, said inflow portion being disposed relative to the outflow portion such that the implant is generally L-shaped;

inserting the 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; and

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

9. A method of treating glaucoma, comprising:

providing an implant comprising a biodegradable material and having an inflow portion configured to receive fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye and an outflow portion configured to deliver fluid from the inflow portion to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, said outflow portion having a blunt end;

inserting the 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; and

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