Device for and method of implanting an intraocular implant

• US 5,968,058 A
• Filed: 07/14/1997
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optonol, Ltd. (Alcon Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Optonol, Ltd. (Alcon Incorporated)
• Inventors: Yaron, Ira, Richter, Jacob, Pinchasik, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, WILLIAM W
• Application Number:
  US08/891,765
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/6, 606/107-109, 606/166, 606/184, 606/185, 606/9, 606/164, 606/264, 623/4
• US Class Current: 606/166
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

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.

Claims

1. A delivery device for implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball, the delivery device comprising:

a handle; and

a rodlike instrument;

wherein one of the rodlike instrument or a separate part of the delivery device comprises a tip for penetrating the implant and one of the rodlike instrument or a separate part of the delivery device comprises an abutment surface for abutting the implant, wherein the abutment surface is tilted at an angle with respect to a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the rodlike instrument, and wherein the tip is configured to project beyond the abutment surface.

2. A delivery device according to claim 1 wherein the rodlike instrument comprises a probe.

3. A delivery device according to claim 1 wherein the rodlike instrument comprises a needle.

4. A delivery device according to claim 3 wherein the tip for penetrating a tube passage of the implant comprises a plug inserted in a bore of the needle.

5. A delivery device according to claim 1 wherein the angle at which the abutment surface is tilted with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the rodlike instrument generally corresponds to an angle at which the disk is tilted with respect to a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the implant.

6. A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:

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 beveled surface at an inlet end of the implant faces away from the iris; and

withdrawing the delivery device.

7. A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:

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.

8. A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:

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.

9. A method of implanting an intraocular implant according to claim 8 wherein, in the step of extending outwardly at least one retention projection, at least one retention projection is extended outwardly by an expansion tool when the implant is implanted in the eyeball.

10. A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:

attaching the implant to a delivery device comprising a handle and a rodlike instrument wherein one of the rodlike instrument or a separate part of the delivery device comprises a tip for penetrating a tube passage of the implant and one of the rodlike instrument or a separate part of the delivery device comprises an abutment surface for abutting a disk of the implant, wherein the abutment surface is tilted at an angle with respect to a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the rodlike instrument;

directing the implant by the delivery device to the implantation site;

inserting the implant through the sclera at the implantation site; and

withdrawing the delivery device.

11. A method of implanting an intraocular implant according to claim 10 wherein the angle at which the abutment surface is tilted with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the rodlike instrument generally corresponds to an angle at which the disk is tilted with respect to a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the implant.