Methods, Systems and Apparatus for Relieving Pressure in an Organ
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An implantable microfistula channel comprising;
- a bioabsorbable channel body defining at least one interior flow path;
said channel body made of a cross-linked gelatin, said body having an expandable outer diameter; and
said at least one interior flow path having a diameter of between approximately 50 and 250 microns.
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Abstract
Methods, systems and apparatus for relieving pressure in an organ such as, but not limited to, the eye are disclosed. The method includes implanting a bioabsorbable, channel into the selected area of the organ using a delivery apparatus.
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Citations
113 Claims
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1. An implantable microfistula channel comprising;
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a bioabsorbable channel body defining at least one interior flow path; said channel body made of a cross-linked gelatin, said body having an expandable outer diameter; and said at least one interior flow path having a diameter of between approximately 50 and 250 microns. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of making an implantable microfistula channel comprising:
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(a) providing a gelatin solution; (b) providing a generally cylindrical solid support having an outer surface, said support having a diameter of approximately 50-250 microns; (c) contacting said outer surface of said support with said gelatin for a period of time sufficient to coat said support outer surface; (d) forming a hollow gelatin channel on said support; (e) curing said formed channel for a selected period of time; (f) subjecting said gelatin channel to a cross-linking treatment; and (g) removing said cross-linked channel from said support. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. An apparatus for implanting a microfistula channel into an organ of a subject comprising:
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a reusable portion comprising a housing having an open distal end, a proximal end and an interior chamber; an arm sub-assembly within said housing comprising one or more movable arms adapted to receive and engage a disposable needle assembly;
one or more drivers coupled to said one or more movable arms of said arm sub-assembly. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82)
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83. The apparatus of claim 448 wherein said driver comprises a plunger activated by a trigger.
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84. A system for implanting a microfistula channel into an organ of a patient comprising:
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a) a reusable portion adapted to receive a needle assembly; b) a disposable portion comprising a needle assembly, said needle assembly comprising a hollow needle terminating in a sharpened tip, a guidewire disposed within said hollow needle, a plunger disposed within said needle; c) a microprocessor-based controller including pre-programmed instructions for selective movement of at least said guidewire and said plunger. - View Dependent Claims (85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109)
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96. A method of implanting a microfistula channel into an organ of a subject comprising:
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(a) providing a handheld implantation apparatus including a hollow needle having a pointed distal end, a bioabsorbable microfistula channel within said needle, and a plunger proximally located relative to said microfistula channel; (b) introducing said pointed distal end into the organ of a subject; (c) advancing said needle to the desired area of implantation, (d) actuating said plunger to advance said microfistula channel to said desired area of implantation; (e) withdrawing said guidewire from said area of implantation; and (f) removing said needle from said organ. - View Dependent Claims (97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 107, 108, 110, 111, 112, 113)
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Specification