Device for improving in a targeted manner and/or permanently ensuring the ability of the aqueous humor to pass through the trabecular meshwork

• US 6,494,857 B1
• Filed: 06/04/2001
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas Neuhann
• Original Assignee: Thomas Neuhann
• Inventors: Neuhann, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Prebilic, Paul B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Matthews, William H
• Application Number:
  US09/786,282
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 623/4.1, 604/8, 604/294, 604/264
• US Class Current: 604/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/94 Stents retaining their form, i.e. not being deformable, after placement in the predetermined place
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

A device is disclosed for selectively improving and/or permanently ensuring the permeability for ocular aqueous humour through the trabecular formations into Schlemm'"'"'s canal. A small tubular element is provided, whose wall material encloses a hollow duct that presents an open configuration on both ends along the longitudinal extension of the hollow duct, so that the size and the shape of the small tubular element correspond approximately to the internal contour of Schlemm'"'"'s canal, and the wall material as well as the wall thickness are so selected that upon introduction into Schlemm'"'"'s canal the small tubular element keeps the canal open and dilates adjacent trabecular formations.

Claims

1. An implantable device for implanting into a human eye for improving permeability of ocular aqueous humour through trabecular formations into Schlemm'"'"'s canal, comprising:

a longitudinally curved tubular element including a wall enclosing a hollow duct with openings at opposed longitudinal ends thereof, at least one opening in a concave curvature of the wall, with a size and shape of the tubular element corresponding approximately to an internal contour Schlemm'"'"'s canal, a material from which the wall is manufactured and a thickness thereof being selected so that upon implanting into Schlemm'"'"'s canal and adjacent trabecular formations the tubular element expands Schlemm'"'"'s canal and the adjacent trabecular formations and remains implanted inside Schlemm'"'"'s canal; and

wherein

the at least one opening, has a smallest dimension corresponding to an inside diameter of the tubular element and through which a surgical instrument for creating perforations within the trabecular formations is passed.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein:

the longitudinal curve of the tubular element corresponds approximately to a natural curvature of Schlemm'"'"'s canal and dilates the trabecular formations, upon introduction into Schlemm'"'"'s canal, and maintains Schlemm'"'"'s canal open.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein:

the at least one opening is machined into the wall material through which aqueous humour may laterally flow into the hollow duct.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein:

the tubular element has an outside diameter in the range between 180 mm and 350 mm and an inside diameter between 150 mm and 200 mm.

5. A device according to claim 2, wherein:

the wall material is manufactured from a braided material and is permeable to the aqueous humour along all of the longitudinally curved tubular element.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein:

the at least one opening is machined into the wall material through which aqueous humour laterally flows into the hollow duct.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein:

the wall material consists of titanium, implant-quality steel electroplated with gold, or a synthetic compound material.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein:

the tubular element has an outside diameter in the range between 180 mm and 350 mm and an inside diameter between 150 mm and 200 mm.

9. A device according to claim 7, wherein:

the at least one opening is machined into the wall material through which aqueous humour laterally flows into the hollow duct.

10. The device according to claim 5, wherein:

the tubular element has an outside diameter in the range between 180 mm and 350 mm and an inside diameter between 150 mm and 200 mm.

11. A device according to claim 2, wherein:

the wall material consists of titanium, implant-quality steel electroplated with gold, or a synthetic compound material.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein:

the tubular element has an outside diameter in the range between 180 mm and 350 mm and an inside diameter between 150 mm and 200 mm.

13. A device according to claim 11, wherein:

the at least one opening is machined into the wall material through which aqueous humour laterally flows into the hollow duct.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein:

the wall material is manufactured from a braided material and is permeable to the aqueous humour along all of the longitudinally curved tubular element.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein:

the wall material consists of titanium, implant-quality steel electroplated with gold, or a synthetic compound material.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein:

the at least one opening is machined into the wall material through which aqueous humour laterally flows into the hollow duct.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein:

the tubular element has an outside diameter in the range between 180 mm and 350 mm and an inside diameter between 150 mm and 200 mm.

18. The device according to claim 14, wherein:

the tubular element has an outside diameter in the range between 180 mm and 350 mm and an inside diameter between 150 mm and 200 mm.

19. A device according to claim 14, wherein:

the at least one opening is machined into the wall material through which aqueous humour laterally flows into the hollow duct.

20. A device according to claim 1, wherein:

the wall material consists of titanium, implant-quality steel electroplated with gold, or a synthetic compound material.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein:

the tubular element has an outside diameter in the range between 180 mm and 350 mm and an inside diameter between 150 mm and 200 mm.

22. A device according to claim 20, wherein:

the at least one opening is machined into the wall material through which aqueous humour laterally flows into the hollow duct.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the tubular element has an outside diameter in the range between 180 mm and 350 mm and an inside diameter between 150 mm and 200 mm.

24. A device according to claim 23, wherein:

the at least one opening is machined into the wall material through which aqueous humour laterally flows into the hollow duct.

25. A device according to claim 1, wherein:

the at least one opening is machined into the wall material through which aqueous humour laterally flows into the hollow duct.

26. A device according to claim 1, wherein:

all edges of the tubular element are polished and rounded off.

27. A device according to claim 1, wherein:

the tubular element has a cross-section of circular or triangular shape.

28. A device according to claim 1, wherein:

a length of the tubular element ranges from approximately 1 to 11 mm or 300 to 900 of a radian measure of Schlemm'"'"'s canal having a circular extension.

29. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the tubular element comprises at least one smaller opening in the wall with the concave curvature which is located so as to project within the at least one opening.