APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR IMPLANTING PARTICULATE OCULAR IMPLANTS
First Claim
1. An apparatus for implanting an ocular implant in an eye, the apparatus comprising:
- a cannula having a liquid free lumen extending therethrough, the lumen having a length and a diameter and being configured to receive an ocular implant comprising a plurality of substantially uniformly sized dry particles in a one-by-one array along the length of the lumen;
a push rod receivable within the lumen and movable from a first position to a second position; and
a movement assembly operatively coupled to the push rod and structured to move the push rod from the first position to the second position, the cannula being bent in order to hold the dry particles within the lumen before movement of the push rod to the second position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for implanting ocular implants in eyes are provided which include a bent cannula having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen having a length and a diameter and being configured to receive an ocular implant. The ocular implant is made up of a plurality of substantially uniformly sized particles, preferably a plurality of uniformly sized microspheres, arranged in a one-by-one array along the length of the lumen. The apparatus further comprises a mechanism for delivering the implant through the distal end of the lumen and into the eye, preferably without the use of a liquid or gel carrier medium located in the lumen along with the implant.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for implanting an ocular implant in an eye, the apparatus comprising:
- a cannula having a liquid free lumen extending therethrough, the lumen having a length and a diameter and being configured to receive an ocular implant comprising a plurality of substantially uniformly sized dry particles in a one-by-one array along the length of the lumen;
a push rod receivable within the lumen and movable from a first position to a second position; and
a movement assembly operatively coupled to the push rod and structured to move the push rod from the first position to the second position, the cannula being bent in order to hold the dry particles within the lumen before movement of the push rod to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- a cannula having a liquid free lumen extending therethrough, the lumen having a length and a diameter and being configured to receive an ocular implant comprising a plurality of substantially uniformly sized dry particles in a one-by-one array along the length of the lumen;
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22. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the plurality of particles further comprises a biodegradable polymer in combination with the at least one therapeutic component.
Specification