OCULAR IMPLANT WITH HYDROGEL EXPANSION CAPABILITIES

• US 20090182421A1
• Filed: 07/17/2008
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Transcend Medical Incorporated (Alcon Incorporated)
• Inventors: Silvestrini, Tom, Juan, Eugene De JR., Rosenman, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 8,672,870 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/6.130
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0061 swellable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0087 colour-coded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

An ocular implant includes an elongate member having an internal lumen forming a flow pathway that provides a fluid pathway between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal space of the eye. The implant includes a hydrogel member attached to the elongate member, wherein the hydrogel member is adapted to expand upon implantation of the elongate member in the eye. An attachment attaches the hydrogel member to the elongate member.

Claims

1. An ocular implant, comprising:

an elongate member having an internal lumen forming a flow pathway, at least one inflow port communicating with the flow pathway, and at least one outflow port communicating with the flow pathway, wherein the elongate member is adapted to be positioned in the eye such that at least one inflow port communicates with the anterior chamber, at least one outflow port communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid pathway between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal space when the elongate member is implanted in the eye;

a hydrogel member attached to the elongate member, wherein the hydrogel member is adapted to expand upon implantation of the elongate member in the eye;

an attachment that attaches the hydrogel member to the elongate member.

2. An ocular implant as in claim 1, wherein the attachment comprises a layer of acrylic on the elongate member, the acrylic being attached to the hydrogel member.

3. An ocular implant as in claim 2, wherein the acrylic is covalently bonded to the hydrogel member.

4. An ocular implant as in claim 2, wherein the hydrogel member is covalently bonded to acrylic pursuant to a polymerization process.

5. An ocular implant as in claim 1, wherein the attachment comprises a mechanical attachment between the hydrogel member and the elongate member.

6. An ocular implant as in claim 5, wherein the mechanical attachment comprises a cage attached to the elongate member and wherein the hydrogel member is positioned inside the cage.

7. An ocular implant as in claim 6, wherein the hydrogel member expands through slots in the cage.

8. An ocular implant as in claim 1, wherein the elongate member is porous and wherein the attachment comprises a plurality of pores in the elongate member, and wherein the hydrogel member is at least partially positioned in the pores.

9. An ocular implant as in claim 8, wherein the hydrogel member is polymerized within the pores.

10. An ocular implant as in claim 1, wherein the attachment comprises a semi-permiable membrane coated over the hydrogel member and the elongate member.

11. An ocular implant as in claim 10, wherein the membrane expands with the hydrogel to retain the hydrogel to the elongate member during expansion.

12. An ocular implant as in claim 10, wherein the membrane is water-permeable to permit hydration of the hydrogel member through the membrane.

13. An ocular implant as in claim 1, further comprising a resorbable coating positioned over the hydrogel.

14. An ocular implant as in claim 13, wherein the resorbable coating regulates a rate of expansion of the hydrogel member.

15. An ocular implant as in claim 13, wherein the coating bursts upon expansion of the hydrogel member.

16. An ocular implant as in claim 1, wherein the hydrogel member is a sheath positioned over the elongate body.

17. An ocular implant as in claim 1, further comprising a pair of plates positioned on the tubular member and wherein the hydrogel member is positioned between the plates.

18. An ocular implant as in claim 1, wherein the hydrogel member causes a portion of the implant to move upon expansion of the hydrogel member.

19. A method of implanting an ocular device into the eye, comprising:

providing an implant having an internal fluid passageway, wherein the implant is at least partially manufactured of an expandable material;

inserting the implant into the eye such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber;

causing the expandable material to expand such that the expandable material seals a fluid passageway adjacent the implant.

20. A method as in claim 19, wherein the expandable material is a hydrogel or a superelastic material.

21. A method of implanting an ocular device into the eye, comprising:

providing an implant having an internal fluid passageway, wherein the implant includes an actuation member at least partially manufactured of an expandable material;

inserting the implant into the eye such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber;

causing the expandable material to expand such that the actuation member causes a movable portion of the implant to move from a first position to a second position.

22. A method of implanting an ocular device into the eye, comprising:

providing an implant having an internal fluid passageway, wherein the implant includes an actuation member at least partially manufactured of an expandable material;

inserting the implant into the eye such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber;

causing the expandable material to expand such that the actuation member causes eye tissue to move from a first position to a second position

23. A method as in claim 22, wherein the eye tissue is dissected during the movement.

24. A method of implanting an ocular device into the eye, comprising:

providing an implant having an internal fluid passageway, wherein the implant includes an actuation member at least partially manufactured of an expandable material;

inserting the implant into the eye such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber;

causing the expandable material to expand such that a partially enclosed volume is formed within the suprachoroidal space.

25. A method of implanting an ocular device into the eye, comprising:

providing a shunt having an internal fluid passageway, wherein the shunt is at least partially manufactured of a hydrogel;

inserting the shunt into the eye such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber;

causing the hydrogel to expand such that the hydrogel anchors against eye tissue to retain the shunt in a fixed position in the eye.