NON-INVASIVE DEVICE FOR LOWERING INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE

• US 20110087138A1
• Filed: 05/29/2009
• Published: 04/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado (University of Colorado System)
• Original Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado (University of Colorado System)
• Inventors: Kahook, Malik Y.
• Application Number:
  US12/995,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20110087138A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/89
• 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: A61H 23/006 Percussion or tapping massage hand percussion A61H23/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive

Abstract

The present invention provides devices and methods for non-invasively lowering intraocular pressure. In particular, some non-invasive intraocular pressure lowering devices of the invention comprise an oscillating element having a proximal end and a terminal probe. Typically, the terminal probe of said oscillating element comprises a substantially non-abrasive material that is adapted to be in contact with an ocular surface without causing any significant damage to the tissue and is shaped to conform to ocular surface at the limbal region. Devices also include an oscillating mechanism that is operatively connected to the proximal end of said oscillating tip such that when oscillating mechanism is in operation said oscillating tip moves axially without damaging ocular cells. Intraocular pressure lowering devices of the present invention are capable of non-invasively transmitting mechanical force to the tissue proximate to the limbal tissue.

Claims

1. A non-invasive intraocular pressure lowering device comprising:

an oscillating element comprising a proximal end and a terminal probe, wherein the terminal probe is adapted to be in contact with an ocular surface and is adapted to non-invasively transmit mechanical force to the tissue proximate to the limbal tissue during operation;

an oscillating mechanism that is operatively connected to the proximal end of said oscillating element such that when oscillating mechanism is in operation said oscillating element moves axially and intermittently contacts the ocular surface to transmit non-invasive and intermittent mechanical force to the tissue proximate to the limbal tissue; and

a corneal positioning element that is adapted to prevent said oscillating element from penetrating the ocular surface tissue during operation of said device.

2. The non-invasive intraocular pressure lowering device of claim 1, wherein said corneal positioning element is shaped to substantially conform to ocular surface at the limbal region of the eye.

4. The non-invasive intraocular pressure lowering device of claim 1, wherein the terminal probe of said oscillating element comprises a substantially non-abrasive material.

5. The non-invasive intraocular pressure lowering device of claim 1, wherein the oscillation frequency of said oscillating element ranges from about 1 Hz to about 40 kHz.

6. The non-invasive intraocular pressure lowering device of claim 1, wherein the axial movement of said oscillating element ranges from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm.

7. The non-invasive intraocular pressure lowering device of claim 1, wherein the area of the terminal probe that contacts the ocular surface has a mean diameter of from about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of applying non-invasive mechanical force comprises contacting the limbal region using a non-invasive intraocular pressure lowering device of claim 1.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of applying non-invasive mechanical force comprises contacting the limbal region using a non-invasive intraocular pressure lowering device of claim 1.

3. The non-invasive intraocular pressure lowering device of claim 3, wherein, wherein said oscillating element is positioned within said corneal positioning element.

8. A method for reducing intraocular pressure of a subject, said method comprising applying non-invasive mechanical force to a tissue proximate to the limbal tissue for a time sufficient to cause decrease in intraocular pressure of said subject.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein non-invasive mechanical force is applied to the tissue comprising trabecular meshwork, schlemm'"'"'s canal, or a combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein non-invasive mechanical force is applied to the limbal region.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein non-invasive mechanical force is applied to a plurality of limbal regions.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein non-invasive mechanical force is applied to at least 90°

of limbal region.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein non-invasive mechanical force is applied to at least 180°

of limbal region.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein non-invasive mechanical force is applied to 360°

of limbal region.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of applying non-invasive mechanical force comprises non-invasively pressing the limbal region repeatedly.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the limbal region is repeatedly pressed non-invasively from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the limbal region is repeatedly pressed non-invasively at a frequency of from about 1 Hz to about 40 kHz.

19. A method for slowing or preventing progression of visual field loss in a subject, said method comprising non-invasively reducing intraocular pressure of the subject by applying non-invasive mechanical force to a tissue proximate to the limbal tissue for a time sufficient to cause decrease in intraocular pressure of said subject.