SHUNT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TREATING OCULAR DISORDERS

• US 20110196281A1
• Filed: 12/13/2010
• Published: 08/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
• Original Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
• Inventors: Brown, Reay H., Lynch, Mary G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,771,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0052 T-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• 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: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0074 Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable

Abstract

Shunt devices and a method for continuously decompressing elevated intraocular pressure in eyes affected by glaucoma by diverting excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm'"'"'s canal where post-operative patency can be maintained with an indwelling shunt device which surgically connects the canal with the anterior chamber. The shunt devices provide uni- or bi-directional flow of aqueous humor into Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

Claims

1-18. -18. (canceled)

19. An implant of biocompatible material for treating glaucoma, comprising:

a body having a flow passage which conducts fluid from an anterior chamber of an eye to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye;

said body being configured so as to have an axis extending away from the canal when implanted;

said body having at least first and second surface portions within Schlemm'"'"'s canal that extend transversely to said axis on opposite sides of the axis.

20. The implant of claim 19, wherein the surface portions are disposed on the implant so as to contact a trabecular meshwork of the eye when implanted.

21. The implant of claim 19, wherein the surface portions are disposed on the implant so as to contact scleral tissue.

22. The implant of claim 19, wherein the axis further comprises a terminal aspect angulated to face away from the iris.

23. The implant of claim 19, wherein the body further comprises a valve.

24. The implant of claim 19, wherein the implant generally has a T shape.

25. The implant of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the implant is comprised of a solid material.

26. The implant of claim 25, wherein the solid material is porous.

27. The implant of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the implant comprises a mesh material.

28. The implant of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the implant is fenestrated.

29. The implant of claim 19, wherein the implant further comprises a therapeutic agent.

55. The implant of claim 19, wherein the body is configured so that the axis extends substantially perpendicular to the canal when implanted.

56. The implant of claim 19, wherein the body defines at least one fluid directing channel.

57. The implant of claim 56, wherein the channel includes an opening disposed adjacent a surface of the canal when implanted.

58. The implant of claim 57, wherein the opening is disposed adjacent scleral tissue when implanted.

59. The implant of claim 56, wherein the channel has a maximum width in the range from about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm.

60. The implant of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the implant is comprised of a flexible material.

61. The implant of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the body is curved.

62. The implant of claim 19, wherein the body comprises a plurality of outlets.

63. The implant of claim 19, wherein the body comprises a plurality of open areas.

30-54. -54. (canceled)