Ophthalmic implant for treatment of glaucoma
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An implant for the treatment of glaucoma comprising an elongated element with distal and proximal ends positionable within Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye so as to provide a tensioning force to the inner wall of the canal to thereby increase fluid permeability of the inner wall of the canal.
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Abstract
An implant is placed within Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye and provides tension to the trabecular meshwork. The tension is continuous and increases the aqueous outflow without the necessity of administering cholinergic drugs to treat glaucoma.
135 Citations
58 Claims
- 1. An implant for the treatment of glaucoma comprising an elongated element with distal and proximal ends positionable within Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye so as to provide a tensioning force to the inner wall of the canal to thereby increase fluid permeability of the inner wall of the canal.
- 39. A tool for insertion of an implant into Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye comprising an implant comprising an elongated element with distal and proximal ends positionable within said canal so as to provide a tensioning force to the inner wall of said canal to thereby increase fluid permeability of the inner wall of said canal, said implant attached to a flexible cannula.
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40. A tool for insertion of an implant into Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye comprising an implant comprising an elongated element with distal and proximal ends positionable within said canal so as to provide a tensioning force to the inner wall of said canal to thereby increase fluid permeability of the inner wall of said canal, said implant attached to a guidewire.
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49. A method for increasing the aqueous outflow of fluid through Schlemm'"'"'s canal in the eye comprising the steps of
a) positioning in Schlemm'"'"'s canal a delivery tool comprising an implant, said implant comprising an elongated element with distal and proximal ends positionable within said canal so as to provide a tensioning force to the inner wall of said canal to thereby increase fluid permeability of the inner wall of said canal; -
and a flexible delivery device attached to said implant;
b) releasing said implant from said tool in said canal; and
c) connecting said distal and proximal ends of said implant to apply sufficient tensioning force by said implant on the inner wall of said canal to increase fluid permeability of the inner wall of said canal. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 58)
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50. A method for increasing the aqueous outflow of fluid through Schlemm'"'"'s canal in the eye comprising the steps of
a) positioning in Schlemm'"'"'s canal a delivery tool comprising an implant, said implant comprising an elongated element with distal and proximal ends positionable within said canal so as to provide a tensioning force to the inner wall of said canal to thereby increase fluid permeability of the inner wall of said canal; -
and a flexible delivery device attached to said implant;
b) securing one of said distal or proximal ends within said canal;
c) adjusting said implant to provide sufficient tensioning force by said implant on the inner wall of said canal to increase fluid permeability of the inner wall of said canal;
d) securing the other of said distal or proximal ends within said canal to maintain said tensioning force on the inner wall of said canal.
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Specification