Method of implanting an intraocular implant
First Claim
1. A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:
- attaching the implant to a delivery device;
cutting a slit in a portion of the conjunctiva of the eyeball which normally lies at a distance away from an intended implantation site;
placing the implant by the delivery device through the slit in the conjunctiva;
directing the implant by the delivery device to the implantation site;
inserting the implant through the sclera at the implantation site;
withdrawing the delivery device; and
allowing the slit in the conjunctiva to lie at the distance away from the implantation site.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ophthalmic implant for treatment of glaucoma, a delivery device for implanting such an implant, and a method of implanting such an implant. The implant includes a tube having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage therebetween, and a disk connected to the tube at the outlet end of the tube. The tube passage has a cross-sectional area sufficiently small to inhibit the flow of aqueous humor through the tube passage. The implant provides a bleb of aqueous humor under the conjunctiva so that the bleb and the elasticity of the conjunctiva assist in regulating the flow of aqueous humor through the tube as a function of the IOP. The tube at its inlet end has a beveled surface facing away from the iris and one or more circumferential holes. One or more retention projections are provided for anchoring and may be extended outwardly when the implant is implanted in the eyeball. The disk has an outer rim and one or more inner uprights. The implant is implanted by use of a delivery device comprising a handle and a rodlike instrument, with a tip for insertion into the tube passage of the implant and a retention mechanism for retaining the implant. During implantation, the implant is inserted through a slit in a portion of the conjunctiva which normally lies at a distance away from the intended implantation site.
372 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:
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attaching the implant to a delivery device; cutting a slit in a portion of the conjunctiva of the eyeball which normally lies at a distance away from an intended implantation site; placing the implant by the delivery device through the slit in the conjunctiva; directing the implant by the delivery device to the implantation site; inserting the implant through the sclera at the implantation site; withdrawing the delivery device; and allowing the slit in the conjunctiva to lie at the distance away from the implantation site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:
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attaching the implant to a delivery device; directing the implant by the delivery device to the implantation site; inserting the implant through the sclera at the implantation site such that a marker is visible upon penetration through the sclera; and withdrawing the delivery device; wherein the marker comprises a circumferential hole.
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16. A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:
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attaching the implant to a delivery device; directing the implant by the delivery device to the implantation site; inserting the implant through the sclera at the implantation site; extending outwardly at least one retention projection for anchoring the implant in the eyeball; and withdrawing the delivery device; wherein, in the step of extending outwardly at least one retention projection, at least one retention projection is extended outwardly by the action of a shape memory alloy from which it is constructed when subjected to the heat of the eyeball when the implant is implanted in the eyeball.
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17. A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:
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attaching the implant to a delivery device comprising a handle and a rodlike instrument comprising a tip for penetrating a tube passage of the implant and a retention mechanism for retaining the implant on the delivery device; directing the implant by the delivery device to the implantation site; inserting the implant through the sclera at the implantation site; vibrating the delivery device during the step of inserting the implant through the sclera at the implantation site; and withdrawing the delivery device.
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Specification