Devices and methods for opening fluid passageways
First Claim
1. A method of implanting an implant for assisting drainage of aqueous humor from the eye, said method comprising:
- using an implant sized to fit within the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal of the eye, said implant having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of penetrating members, wherein each of said penetrating members has a first unextended position in which said penetrating member lies generally close to said longitudinal axis of the implant and a second extended position in which said penetrating member is extended outward to be farther away from the longitudinal axis of the implant;
forming an access opening into the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal;
inserting said implant into the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal through said opening;
advancing said implant in a circumferential direction around at least a substantial portion of said Schlemm'"'"'s Canal with said penetrating members in said first unextended position; and
causing said penetrating members to move from said first unextended position to said second extended position, wherein said penetrating members penetrate the wall of the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and procedures for assisting drainage of aqueous humor from the eye are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, an implant sized to fit within the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal is provided. The implant has a plurality of penetrating members having an unextended position in which the penetrating members lie generally close to the longitudinal axis of the implant and an extended position in which the penetrating members are extended outward. In use, the implant is advanced around at least a substantial portion of the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal with the penetrating members in the first unextended position. After the implant is positioned within the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal, the penetrating members are caused to move from the first unextended position to the second extended position, wherein the penetrating members penetrate the wall of the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal. This creates fluid passageways in the wall of the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal. The implant can also serve to keep the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal open. A delivery device is also provided for implanting an implant into the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of implanting an implant for assisting drainage of aqueous humor from the eye, said method comprising:
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using an implant sized to fit within the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal of the eye, said implant having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of penetrating members, wherein each of said penetrating members has a first unextended position in which said penetrating member lies generally close to said longitudinal axis of the implant and a second extended position in which said penetrating member is extended outward to be farther away from the longitudinal axis of the implant; forming an access opening into the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal; inserting said implant into the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal through said opening; advancing said implant in a circumferential direction around at least a substantial portion of said Schlemm'"'"'s Canal with said penetrating members in said first unextended position; and causing said penetrating members to move from said first unextended position to said second extended position, wherein said penetrating members penetrate the wall of the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of implanting an implant for assisting drainage of aqueous humor from an eye, said method comprising:
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using an implant sized to fit within the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal of the eye, the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal generally encircling the anterior chamber of the eye in a circumferential direction, said implant having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of penetrating members, wherein each of said penetrating members has a first unextended position in which said penetrating member lies generally close to said longitudinal axis of the implant and a second extended position in which said penetrating member is extended outward to be farther away from the longitudinal axis of the implant; forming an access opening into the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal; inserting said implant into the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal through said opening; advancing said implant in the circumferential direction around at least a substantial portion of the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal with said penetrating members in said first unextended position; and causing said penetrating members to move from said first unextended position to said second extended position, wherein said penetrating members penetrate the wall of the Schlemm'"'"'s Canal. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification