INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE REGULATING DEVICE

• US 20110046728A1
• Filed: 03/13/2008
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Rochester
• Original Assignee: University of Rochester
• Inventors: Shareef, Shakeel R., Abushagur, Mustafa A.G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,366,653 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/6.64
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for implanting a device in a mammalian eye to raise intraocular pressure. In some embodiments, the device (54) includes an arcuate body that, when implanted, obstructs aqueous humor outflow from the anterior chamber (38) of the eye.

Claims

1. A device, for implantation in a mammalian eye to raise intraocular pressure, comprising an arcuate body that, when implanted, obstructs aqueous humor outflow from the anterior chamber of the eye.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body acts as a spring, exerting a bias force tending to increase a radius of curvature of the body when implanted in eye.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the arcuate body is a capsular tension arc.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body has an outer curved surface conforming to a curved inner surface of the eye.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the arcuate body, when implanted, contacts the trabecular meshwork of the eye.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the arcuate body, when implanted, contacts the iris of the eye.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body, when implanted, resides in the lens capsular bag of the eye.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body, when implanted, produces ischemia in aqueous outflow pathway tissues.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the outflow pathway tissues comprise the trabecular meshwork.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body extends in an arc of at least 20 degrees.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body extends in an arc of at least 40 degrees.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body extends in an arc of at least 60 degrees.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body extends in an arc of at least 90 degrees.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body extends in an arc of at least 120 degrees.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body extends in an arc of at least 180 degrees.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body extends in an arc of at least 270 degrees.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body extends in an arc of at least 360 degrees.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the device, when implanted, effectively treats hypotony of the eye.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body comprises at least one aperture that permits passage of aqueous therethrough.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate body is porous.

21. A method, of elevating intraocular pressure in a mammalian eye, comprising:

inserting a device in the eye; and

raising intraocular pressure with the device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the raising the intraocular pressure comprises at least partially obstructing outflow of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising adjusting an amount of obstruction of the outflow.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising selecting a size of the device, prior to the inserting, using ocular imaging.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising modeling glaucoma using the device after the inserting of the device in the eye.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising treating hypotony of the eye using the device by the inserting of the device in the eye.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the inserting comprises inserting the device into the anterior chamber of the eye.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the device is inserted into the iridocorneal angle.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the inserting comprises inserting the device into the posterior chamber of the eye.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the device is inserted into the lens capsular bag.

31. The method of claim 21, further comprising permitting passage of aqueous humor through at least one aperture in the device.

32. The method of claim 21, further comprising permitting passage of aqueous humor through pores in the device.