Method for reducing intraocular pressure caused by glaucoma

• US 4,936,825 A
• Filed: 04/11/1988
• Issued: 06/26/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bruce A. Ungerleider
• Original Assignee: Bruce A. Ungerleider
• Inventors: Ungerleider, Bruce A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): Daley, Kathleen A.
• Application Number:
  US07/179,671
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 604/8-10, 604/294, 604/284, 604/264, 128/335.5, 128/339, 128/897-899, 623/4, 606/107, 606/222, 606/228
• US Class Current: 604/8
• 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

A method is described herein for implanting in the cornea and limbal area a device partially embedded and partially extending anteriorly, a preferred embodiment comprising one or more loops of small sized porous ropes, cords, bands or hollow tubes, which device has one end or section thereof extending beyond the exterior surface of the cornea and limbal area so that aqueous humor may be exited from the anterior chamber in the eye to relieve intraocular pressure and thereby avoid or reduce the effects of glaucoma.

Claims

1. A method of relieving the fluid pressure in the human eye associated with glaucoma comprising the step of implanting beneath superficial layers of the cornea a porous strand of sufficient rigidity to keep open the pores therein and the pores therein communicating with adjacent pores so that liquid entering one portion of said strand will pass to the other portions thereof, one portion of said strand extending into the anterior chamber of the eye and another portion extending, while in use onto the ocular surface straddling the limbus whereby aqueous humor fluid in said anterior chamber is permitted to pass through the pores in said porous strand and pass onto said ocular surface.

2. The method of claim 1 in which said porous strand has a middle portion and two end portions.

3. The method of claim 2 in which at least one of said end portions is positioned to extend onto the said ocular surface.

4. The method of claim 2 in which both of said end portions are positioned to extend onto the said ocular surface.

5. The method of claim 4 in which the two ends of said strand are joined outside the eye to form a loop.

6. The method of claim 2 which comprises the steps of (a) fastening the said strand to a needle, (b) introducing the said needle through said anterior chamber and beneath superficial layers of the cornea, (c) drawing said needle and the said strand into the cornea, (d) withdrawing the said needle through the ocular surface straddling the limbus, and (e) leaving said middle portion of the said strand in the cornea, said middle portion extending from the anterior chamber through the ocular surface straddling the limbus, one of said end portions of the said strand extending out from the anterior chamber and the other of said end portions of said strand extending out of the ocular surface straddling the limbus.

7. The method of claim 6 in which the two said ends of said strand are connected to form a loop.

8. A method of introducing a drug for treatment of the human eye comprising the step of implanting beneath superficial layers of the cornea a porous body of sufficient rigidity to keep open the pores therein and the pores therein communicating with adjacent pores so that liquid entering one portion of said body will pass to the other portions thereof, one portion of said body extending into the anterior chamber of the eye and another portion extending onto the ocular surface straddling the limbus whereby said drug is introduced into said porous body from a position outside said ocular surface and is permitted to pass through the pores in said porous body and into the interior of said eye.