ULTRASONIC TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA

• US 20100152626A1
• Filed: 02/25/2010
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eyesonix Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Donald N. Schwartz
• Inventors: Schwartz, Donald N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,043,235 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

A method of treating glaucoma is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing an ultrasonic device that emits ultrasonic energy, holding the ultrasonic device at a location external to the trabecular meshwork, transmitting the ultrasonic energy at a frequency to a desired location for a predetermined time, causing biochemical changes to be initiated within the eye that may include triggering a presumed integrin response that initiates biochemical changes typified by but not limited to cytokines, enzymes, macrophage activity and heat shock proteins, and dislodging material built up in the trabecular meshwork.

Claims

1. A method of treating glaucoma in a person'"'"'s eye that includes a cornea, a sclera, a limbus, a ciliary body and a trabecular meshwork, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing an ultrasonic device that emits ultrasonic energy;

b. holding the ultrasonic device at a location external to the trabecular meshwork;

c. transmitting the ultrasonic energy at a frequency to a desired location for a predetermined time;

d. causing biochemical changes to be initiated within the eye; and

e. dislodging material built up in the trabecular meshwork.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is held against the eye.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the device has a tip, and wherein the tip includes a flat surface for contacting the eye.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein steps (a) through (e) are performed at a plurality of locations about the limbus.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the frequency is between about 20,000 Hertz and about 100,000 Hertz.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the time is between about 5 seconds and about 120 seconds.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmission of ultrasonic energy to the eye causes the tissue of the eye to be heated, wherein the heat generated is between 41 and about 45 degrees centigrade.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the biochemical changes include the release of cytokines.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic energy is focused at a point between about 0.5 mm and about 2.0 mm from the tip.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the release of cytokines causes a reduction in intraocular pressure in the eye.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the release of cytokines causes a reduction in intraocular pressure in the person'"'"'s other eye.

13. The handheld ultrasonic device of claim 10 wherein the tip is rounded and includes a flat tip for contacting the eye.

14. The handheld ultrasonic device of claim 10, wherein the device is held at a location external to the trabecular meshwork of a subject'"'"'s eye, wherein the device transmits ultrasonic energy at a frequency to a desired location in the eye for a predetermined time, wherein biochemical changes are initiated within the eye, and wherein material built up in the trabecular meshwork is dislodged.

12. A handheld ultrasonic device for the treatment of glaucoma comprising:

a. a casing,

b. an ultrasonic transducer disposed in the casing,

c. a power supply,

d. a rod extending from the ultrasonic transducer, and

e. a tip located at the end of the rod, wherein ultrasonic energy is transferred from the ultrasonic transducer to the tip and is focused at a point about 0.5 mm and about 2.0 mm from the tip.