Methods for deploying intraocular shunts

• US 8,308,701 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2010
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AqueSys, Inc. (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AqueSys, Inc. (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Horvath, Christopher, Romoda, Laszlo O., Grabner, Guenther, Reitsamer, Herbert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hand, Melanie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lo, Andrew S
• Application Number:
  US12/946,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20120123433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 604/294
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/10 Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00891 Glaucoma
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0008 Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to methods for deploying intraocular shunts without the use of an optical apparatus that contacts an eye, such as a goniolens. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve inserting into an eye a deployment device configured to hold an intraocular shunt, determining that a distal portion of the device is properly positioned within the eye without use of an optical apparatus that contacts the eye, and deploying the shunt from the device.

Claims

1. A method for deploying a shunt within an eye, the method comprising:

inserting into an eye a deployment device configured to hold an intraocular shunt;

determining that a distal portion of the device is properly positioned within the eye without use of an optical apparatus that contacts the eye; and

deploying the shunt from the device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining comprises:

advancing the device until a resistance is encountered.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein deploying the shunt results in a flow path from an anterior chamber of the eye to an area of low pressure.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the area of lower pressure is selected from the group consisting of:

intra-tenon'"'"'s space, the subconjunctival space, the episcleral vein, the suprachoroidal space, and Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inserting step is ab interno.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device is inserted above or below the corneal limbus.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device is inserted into the eye without removing an anatomical feature of the eye.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the anatomical feature is selected from the group consisting of:

the trabecular meshwork, the iris, the cornea, and the aqueous humor.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is conducted without substantial subconjunctival blebbing.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the optical apparatus is a goniolens.

11. A method for deploying a shunt within an eye, the method comprising:

inserting into an eye a deployment device configured to hold an intraocular shunt;

advancing the device until a protrusion on a distal end of a housing of the device contacts an anterior chamber angle of the eye, thereby providing resistance against further advancement of the device; and

deploying the shunt from the device.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a distal portion of the housing comprises a sleeve and a hollow shaft that is movable within the sleeve.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the protrusion is formed integrally with a distal end of the sleeve.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the protrusion is connected to a distal end of the sleeve.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the protrusion surrounds a distal end of the sleeve.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the protrusion extends around only a portion of the sleeve.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the protrusion is a collar that surrounds a distal end of the sleeve.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein the device is inserted above or below the corneal limbus.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the device is inserted into the eye without removing an anatomical feature of the eye.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the anatomical feature is selected from the group consisting of:

the trabecular meshwork, the iris, the cornea, and the aqueous humor.

21. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method is conducted without substantial subconjunctival blebbing.