NON-INVASIVE DEVICE FOR LOWERING INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE
First Claim
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.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A non-invasive intraocular pressure lowering device comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 20)
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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.
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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.
Specification