Methods and Apparatus for Treating Glaucoma

• US 20130006165A1
• Filed: 09/11/2012
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ivantis Inc.
• Inventors: Euteneuer, Charles L., Hektner, Thomas R., Schieber, Andrew T., Wardle, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,529,494 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00885 for treating a particular disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00891 Glaucoma
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• 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: A61K 9/0051 Ocular inserts, ocular implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/905 Eye
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/906 Corneal

Abstract

An ocular implant for treating glaucoma is provided, which may include any number of features. More particularly, the present invention relates to implants that facilitate the transfer of fluid from within one area of the eye to another area of the eye. One feature of the implant is that it includes a proximal inlet portion and a distal inlet portion adapted to be inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye, and an intermediate portion adapted to be inserted into Schlemm'"'"'s canal. Another feature of the implant is that it can be biased to assume a predetermined shape to aid in placement within the eye.

Claims

1. A method of treating glaucoma in an eye of a patient, comprising:

creating a first opening in a trabecular mesh of the eye;

inserting an implant from an anterior chamber through the first opening into Schlemm'"'"'s canal;

positioning a second inlet portion and an intermediate portion of the implant in Schlemm'"'"'s canal;

moving a tool inserted into the eye to make a second opening in the trabecular mesh near the second inlet portion, the second opening spaced apart from the first opening; and

allowing aqueous humor to flow from the anterior chamber into the implant and into Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the allowing step further comprises allowing aqueous humor to flow from the anterior chamber into the first and second inlet portions, through the intermediate portion, and into Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein aqueous humor flows into Schlemm'"'"'s canal through a plurality of openings in the implant.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first inlet portion is spaced approximately 60 to 180 degrees from the second inlet portion.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein aqueous humor flows longitudinally along the implant.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein aqueous humor flows laterally across the implant.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of creating a first opening comprises inserting a cannula into the anterior chamber and piercing the trabecular mesh with a distal tip of the cannula.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of inserting a cannula comprises inserting the distal tip of the cannula into Schlemm'"'"'s canal tangentially.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of inserting an implant comprises inserting a cannula into the eye, the implant being disposed in the cannula.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising advancing the implant out of the cannula and into Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the allowing step further comprises allowing aqueous humor to flow from the anterior chamber through the first and second inlet portions into Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein moving the tool inserted into the eye to make the second opening in the trabecular mesh near the second inlet portion comprises moving a tissue piercing member from within the implant through the second inlet portion to create the second opening in the trabecular mesh near the second inlet portion.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein moving the tool inserted into the eye to make the second opening in the trabecular mesh near the second inlet portion comprises making an incision in the trabecular mesh.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the incision is made with a scalpel.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein moving the tool inserted into the eye to make the second opening in the trabecular mesh near the second inlet portion comprises making the second opening near a distal end of the implant.

16. A method of treating glaucoma in an eye of a patient, comprising:

creating a first opening in a trabecular mesh of the eye;

inserting an implant from an anterior chamber through the first opening into Schlemm'"'"'s canal;

positioning a second inlet portion and an intermediate portion of the implant in Schlemm'"'"'s canal;

moving a tissue piercing member from within the implant through the second inlet portion to create a second opening in the trabecular mesh near the second inlet portion, the second opening spaced apart from the first opening; and

allowing aqueous humor to flow from the anterior chamber into the first and second inlet portions, through the intermediate portion, and into Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the first inlet portion is spaced approximately 60 to 180 degrees from the second inlet portion.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein aqueous humor flows longitudinally along the implant.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein aqueous humor flows laterally across the implant.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of creating a first opening comprises inserting a cannula into the anterior chamber and piercing the trabecular mesh with a distal tip of the cannula.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of inserting a cannula comprises inserting the distal tip of the cannula into Schlemm'"'"'s canal tangentially.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of inserting an implant comprises inserting a cannula into the eye, the implant and the tissue piercing member being disposed in the cannula.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising advancing the implant out of the cannula and into Schlemm'"'"'s canal.