OCULAR IMPLANT DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF

• US 20090138022A1
• Filed: 02/05/2009
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
• Original Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
• Inventors: Niksch, Barbara A., Smedley, Gregory T., Tu, Hosheng, Haffner, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,857,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/107
• 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 27/00 Drainage appliance for wounds or the like , i.e. wound drains, implanted drains negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90; implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 ; middle ear drainage A61F11/202

Abstract

Systems and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One system has a delivery instrument, with a non-linear axis, configured to be inserted into an anterior chamber of an eye and moved to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The delivery instrument carries an implant that has a distal end sized for insertion into tissue such that aqueous humor drains from the anterior chamber to the physiologic outflow pathway. One method involves inserting a non-linear portion of a delivery device into the anterior chamber to position an implant within the eye. Another method involves using a delivery device with a curved distal portion to implant an implant at a location communicating with the physiologic outflow pathway. The delivery can be through a corneal incision and the implant can comprise a drug.

Claims

1. A system for treating an ocular disorder, comprising:

a delivery instrument having a non-linear axis configured to be inserted into an anterior chamber of an eye and moved to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye, the delivery instrument carrying an implant having a distal end sized for insertion into tissue such that aqueous humor drains from the anterior chamber to the physiologic outflow pathway.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the tissue is a site of resistance of the eye along the physiologic outflow pathway.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery instrument includes a distal portion that is configured to position the implant at a location proximate Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery instrument comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, and wherein the proximal portion is movably attached to the distal portion.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein an angle formed between the proximal portion and the distal portion can change.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery instrument comprises a syringe portion and a cannula portion, and wherein the cannula portion has at least one irrigating hole and a distal space for holding the implant.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery instrument comprises a handpiece, an elongate tip connected to a distal end of the handpiece, and a holder attached to a distal portion of the elongate tip, and wherein the holder is configured to hold and release at least part of the implant.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the delivery instrument further comprises an actuator on the handpiece, and wherein the actuator is configured to actuate the holder to release the implant from the holder.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the distal portion of the elongate tip is made of a flexible material.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the distal portion of the elongate tip has a deflection range.

11. A method of treating an ocular disorder, comprising:

providing a delivery device having a non-linear portion;

providing an implant having at least one inlet portion and at least one outlet portion connected to the inlet portion by at least one pathway through the implant;

inserting the non-linear portion of the delivery device into an anterior chamber of an eye; and

using the delivery device to move the implant through a portion of the anterior chamber and into eye tissue to a position where the inlet portion is disposed within the anterior chamber and the outlet portion is disposed to drain fluid to a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises moving the implant through multiple positions between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the non-linear portion of the delivery device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the delivery device is advanced into a portion of the physiologic outflow pathway of the eye.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises advancing the delivery device through a trabecular meshwork of the eye.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the delivery device is used to position the outlet portion of the implant in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye.

16. A method of treating an ocular disorder, comprising:

providing an elongate delivery device and an implant mounted on the delivery device;

forming an incision in a cornea of an eye and inserting the delivery device through the incision into an anterior chamber of the eye;

advancing the delivery device into the eye, the delivery device being curved at a distal end portion of the delivery device; and

implanting the implant at a location communicating with a physiologic outflow pathway.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the implantation location is a site of resistance of the eye along the physiologic outflow pathway.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the delivery device is used to position a drainage portion of the implant in the physiologic outflow pathway.

19. A method of treating an ocular disorder, comprising:

providing an elongate delivery device and an implant mounted on the delivery device, the implant comprising a drug;

forming an incision in eye tissue and inserting the delivery device through the incision;

advancing the delivery device into the eye, the delivery device being curved at a distal end portion of the delivery device;

implanting the implant at a location communicating with a physiologic outflow pathway; and

withdrawing the delivery device following implantation such that the drug has a therapeutic effect on the eye.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises draining fluid towards the physiologic outflow pathway.