INTRAOCULAR IMPLANTS AND RELATED KITS AND METHODS

• US 20120059461A1
• Filed: 09/26/2011
• Published: 03/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sight Sciences, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sight Sciences, Inc.
• Inventors: BADAWI, Paul, BADAWI, David Y.
• Granted Patent: US 8,439,972 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/4.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0077 Special surfaces of prostheses, e.g. for improving ingrowth A61F2/30767 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/14 Eye parts, e.g. lenses, corneal implants; Implanting instruments specially adapted therefor; Artificial eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/15 Implant having one or more holes, e.g. for nutrient transport, for facilitating handling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/16 Intraocular lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0081 directly machined on the prosthetic surface, e.g. holes, grooves A61F2/30771 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• 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

Abstract

Devices, methods and kits are described for reducing intraocular pressure. The devices include a support that is implantable within Schlemm'"'"'s canal and that may restore or maintain at least partial patency of the canal without substantially interfering with transmural or transluminal fluid flow across the canal. The devices utilize the natural drainage process of the eye and may be implanted with minimal trauma to the eye. Kits may include a support and an introducer for implanting the support within Schlemm'"'"'s canal. Methods may include implanting a support within Schlemm'"'"'s canal, where the support is capable of restoring or maintaining at least partial patency of the canal without substantial interference with transmural or transluminal fluid flow across the canal.

Claims

1. A device for reducing intraocular pressure comprising:

a helical support implantable within at least a portion of Schlemm'"'"'s canal, the helical support having a length and comprising a first elongated edge and a second elongated edge; and

a plurality of fenestrations within the helical support between the first elongated edge and the second elongated edge and spaced along at least a portion of the length of the helical support.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second elongated edges are configured to contact an interior surface of Schlemm'"'"'s canal continuously along the length of the helical support.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second elongated edges are configured to contact an interior surface of Schlemm'"'"'s canal at two points at any location along the length of the helical support.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein one of the proximal and distal ends of the helical support is blunt, rounded, or elliptical.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the helical support is curved.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the helical support has a radius of curvature that approximates the curvature of Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the helical support has a radius of curvature of about 2 millimeters to about 23 millimeters.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the helical support comprises titanium, stainless steel, or a shape memory alloy.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises a nickel titanium alloy.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the fenetrations are rectangular.

11. A device for reducing intraocular pressure comprising:

a support implantable within at least a portion of Schlemm'"'"'s canal, the support having a length and comprising first elongated edge, a second elongated edge, and one or more turns along at least a portion of its length; and

a plurality of fenestrations within the helical support between the first elongated edge and the second elongated edge and spaced along at least a portion of the length of the helical support.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the first and second elongated edges are configured to contact an interior surface of Schlemm'"'"'s canal continuously along the length of the support.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the first and second elongated edges are configured to contact an interior surface of Schlemm'"'"'s canal at two points at any location along the length of the support.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the support comprises a plurality of turns.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of turns are uniform along the length of the support.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein one of the proximal and distal ends of the support is blunt, rounded or elliptical.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein the support is curved.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the support has a radius of curvature that approximates the curvature of Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

19. The device of claim 11, wherein the support comprises titanium, stainless steel, or a shape memory alloy.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises a nickel titanium alloy.