INTRAOCULAR IMPLANTS AND METHODS AND KITS THEREFOR
First Claim
1. A device for reducing intraocular pressure comprising a support implantable circumferentially within Schlemm'"'"'s canal and configured to maintain the patency of at least a portion thereof wherein the support occupies at least a portion of a central core of Schlemm'"'"'s canal and does not substantially interfere with transmural flow across Schlemm'"'"'s canal.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, methods and kits are described for reducing intraocular pressure. The devices include a support that is implantable within Schlemm'"'"'s canal and maintains the patency of the canal without substantially interfering with transmural fluid flow across the canal. The devices utilize the natural drainage process of the eye and can be implanted with minimal trauma to the eye. Kits include a support and an introducer for implanting the support within Schlemm'"'"'s canal. Methods include implanting a support within Schlemm'"'"'s canal, wherein the support is capable of maintaining the patency of the canal without substantial interference with transmural fluid flow across the canal.
81 Citations
100 Claims
- 1. A device for reducing intraocular pressure comprising a support implantable circumferentially within Schlemm'"'"'s canal and configured to maintain the patency of at least a portion thereof wherein the support occupies at least a portion of a central core of Schlemm'"'"'s canal and does not substantially interfere with transmural flow across Schlemm'"'"'s canal.
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53. A kit for reducing intraocular pressure comprising:
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a support implantable circumferentially within Schlemm'"'"'s canal and configured to maintain the patency of at least a portion thereof wherein the support occupies at least a portion of a central core of Schlemm'"'"'s canal and does not substantially interfere with transmural flow across Schlemm'"'"'s canal; and an introducer for delivering the support. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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65-76. -76. (canceled)
- 77. A method for reducing intraocular pressure comprising inserting a support circumferentially within Schlemm'"'"'s canal, wherein the support is configured to maintain the patency of at least a portion thereof, and wherein the support occupies at least a portion of a central core of Schlemm'"'"'s canal and does not substantially interfere with transmural flow across Schlemm'"'"'s canal, and wherein the method comprises reducing the intraocular pressure by 1-40 mm Hg.
- 79. A method for reducing intraocular pressure comprising inserting a support circumferentially within Schlemm'"'"'s canal, wherein the support is configured to maintain the patency of at least a portion thereof, and wherein the support occupies at least a portion of a central core of Schlemm'"'"'s canal and does not substantially interfere with transmural flow across Schlemm'"'"'s canal, and wherein the method comprises reducing the intraocular pressure by at least 2 mm Hg.
- 84. A method for reducing intraocular pressure comprising inserting a support comprising a biocompatible material circumferentially within Schlemm'"'"'s canal, wherein the support is configured to maintain the patency of at least a portion thereof, and wherein the support occupies at least a portion of a central core of Schlemm'"'"'s canal and does not substantially interfere with transmural flow across Schlemm'"'"'s canal.
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88. A method for reducing intraocular pressure comprising inserting a support circumferentially within Schlemm'"'"'s canal such that the support extends essentially around an entire circumference of Schlemm'"'"'s canal, wherein the support is configured to maintain the patency of at least a portion thereof, and wherein the support occupies at least a portion of a central core of Schlemm'"'"'s canal and does not substantially interfere with transmural flow across Schlemm'"'"'s canal.
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89. A method for reducing intraocular pressure comprising inserting a support circumferentially within Schlemm'"'"'s canal such that the support extends approximately half way around a circumference of Schlemm'"'"'s canal, wherein the support is configured to maintain the patency of at least a portion thereof, and wherein the support occupies at least a portion of a central core of Schlemm'"'"'s canal and does not substantially interfere with transmural flow across Schlemm'"'"'s canal.
- 90. A method for reducing intraocular pressure comprising inserting a support circumferentially within Schlemm'"'"'s canal such that the support extends less than half way around Schlemm'"'"'s canal, wherein the support is configured to maintain the patency of at least a portion thereof, and wherein the support occupies at least a portion of a central core of Schlemm'"'"'s canal and does not substantially interfere with transmural flow across Schlemm'"'"'s canal.
- 92. A method for reducing intraocular pressure comprising inserting a support circumferentially within Schlemm'"'"'s canal, wherein the support is configured to maintain the patency of at least a portion thereof, and wherein the support occupies at least a portion of a central core of Schlemm'"'"'s canal and does not substantially interfere with transmural flow across Schlemm'"'"'s canal, and wherein Schlemm'"'"'s canal has a first radius of curvature and the support has a second radius of curvature that is different from the first radius of curvature.
- 98. A method for reducing intraocular pressure comprising inserting a support comprising an active agent circumferentially within Schlemm'"'"'s canal, wherein the support is configured to maintain the patency of at least a portion thereof, and wherein the support occupies at least a portion of a central core of Schlemm'"'"'s canal and does not substantially interfere with transmural flow across Schlemm'"'"'s canal.
Specification