Method of delivering an implant for treating an ocular disorder
First Claim
1. A method, of maintaining an opening in a trabecular meshwork of a patient'"'"'s eye to conduct fluid from an anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, comprising:
- positioning an intraocular implant through an opening in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, the implant having a proximal portion configured to reside in the anterior chamber of the eye, a distal portion configured to reside in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, a middle portion having an outer cross-sectional dimension that is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the distal portion, and a passageway extending from a proximal end of the implant to a distal end of the implant;
conducting fluid, through the passageway, from the proximal end of the implant to the distal end of the implant, such that fluid flows from the anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal through the implant; and
providing an inserter device that is configured to carry the intraocular implant.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Surgical methods and related medical devices for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. Some methods relate to delivering an implant within an eye, and involve providing an elongate guide device, such as, a flexible guide member or a guide wire. A distal end of the guide device can be advanced into an anterior chamber of an eye, or through at least a portion of a site of resistance along a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye, or from an anterior chamber of the eye to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The implant is advanced along the guide device toward the guide device distal end, and is positioned to conduct aqueous humor between the anterior chamber and the physiologic outflow pathway.
288 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method, of maintaining an opening in a trabecular meshwork of a patient'"'"'s eye to conduct fluid from an anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, comprising:
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positioning an intraocular implant through an opening in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, the implant having a proximal portion configured to reside in the anterior chamber of the eye, a distal portion configured to reside in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, a middle portion having an outer cross-sectional dimension that is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the distal portion, and a passageway extending from a proximal end of the implant to a distal end of the implant; conducting fluid, through the passageway, from the proximal end of the implant to the distal end of the implant, such that fluid flows from the anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal through the implant; and providing an inserter device that is configured to carry the intraocular implant. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method, of maintaining an opening in a trabecular meshwork of a patient'"'"'s eye to conduct fluid from an anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, comprising:
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positioning an intraocular implant through an opening in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, the implant having a proximal portion configured to reside in the anterior chamber of the eye, a distal portion configured to reside in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, a middle portion having an outer cross-sectional dimension that is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the distal portion, and a passageway extending from a proximal end of the implant to a distal end of the implant; conducting fluid, through the passageway, from the proximal end of the implant to the distal end of the implant, such that fluid flows from the anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal through the implant; and abutting a portion of the distal portion to an internal surface of the inner wall of Schlemm'"'"'s canal.
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4. A method, of maintaining an opening in a trabecular meshwork of a patient'"'"'s eye to conduct fluid from an anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, comprising:
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positioning an intraocular implant through an opening in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, the implant having a proximal portion configured to reside in the anterior chamber of the eye, a distal portion configured to reside in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, a middle portion having an outer cross-sectional dimension that is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the distal portion, and a passageway extending from a proximal end of the implant to a distal end of the implant; conducting fluid, through the passageway, from the proximal end of the implant to the distal end of the implant, such that fluid flows from the anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal through the implant; and inserting the intraocular implant through a corneal incision.
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5. A method, of maintaining an opening in a trabecular meshwork of a patient'"'"'s eye to conduct fluid from an anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, comprising:
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positioning an intraocular implant through an opening in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, the implant having a proximal portion configured to reside in the anterior chamber of the eye, a distal portion configured to reside in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, a middle portion having an outer cross-sectional dimension that is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the distal portion, and a passageway extending from a proximal end of the implant to a distal end of the implant; conducting fluid, through the passageway, from the proximal end of the implant to the distal end of the implant, such that fluid flows from the anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal through the implant; and inserting the intraocular implant through a self-sealing incision in the eye.
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6. A method, of reducing intraocular pressure in an eye, comprising:
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advancing through an anterior chamber of the eye an implant having a proximal portion, a distal portion configured to reside in a natural aqueous outflow space of the eye, a middle portion extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion, the middle portion sized and shaped to extend through eye tissue when the proximal portion resides in the anterior chamber and the distal portion resides in the natural aqueous outflow space, and a substantially straight passageway extending from the proximal portion of the implant to the distal portion of the implant, the middle portion having a substantially uniform outer diameter between the proximal portion and the distal portion; positioning the implant in the eye, such that the middle portion extends through the eye tissue, the implant extending from the anterior chamber to the natural aqueous outflow space; and conducting fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion of the implant through the substantially straight passageway. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method, of treating glaucoma, comprising:
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advancing an implant through an incision in an eye, through the anterior chamber of the eye, and toward a trabecular meshwork of the eye; positioning the implant such that the implant extends through eye tissue, the implant extending from the anterior chamber to a natural aqueous outflow space located beyond the anterior chamber; wherein, after the positioning, the implant resides in an opening in the eye tissue, such that a proximal portion of the implant resides in the anterior chamber while a distal portion of the implant resides in the natural aqueous outflow space; and wherein the distal portion of the implant has an outer cross-sectional dimension that is greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the opening; conducting fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion of the implant. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A system, for reducing intraocular pressure, comprising:
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an intraocular implant, having a proximal portion sized and shaped to reside within an anterior chamber of an eye, a middle portion, a distal portion sized and shaped to reside within a natural aqueous outflow space of the eye, the distal portion having an outer cross-sectional dimension that, when implanted within the eye, is greater than an outer cross-sectional dimension of the middle portion; and an inserter device that is configured to carry the intraocular implant, the intraocular implant being configured to be movable with respect to the inserter device; wherein, when the intraocular implant is implanted within the eye, the inserter device guides the intraocular implant into position within an aperture in the eye tissue such that fluid is conducted through the intraocular implant from the anterior chamber to the natural aqueous outflow space. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method, of treating glaucoma, comprising:
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advancing a distal portion of an inserter device through an anterior chamber of an eye toward a trabecular meshwork of the eye; and advancing an intraocular implant along the inserter device and into position within the trabecular meshwork; wherein, when positioned in the trabecular meshwork, the implant conducts fluid from the anterior chamber through a substantially straight passageway of the implant, extending from a proximal end of the implant to a distal end of the implant, and a distal portion of the implant abuts an outer side of the inner wall of Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye.
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17. An intraocular implant, comprising:
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a body, having a proximal end and a distal end; the proximal end being sized and shaped to reside in an anterior chamber of an eye; the distal end being sized and shaped to reside in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye; a middle portion, sized and shaped to extend through a trabecular meshwork of the eye when the proximal end resides in the anterior chamber and the distal end resides in Schlemm'"'"'s canal; and wherein the body further comprises a flange disposed at one end of the body.
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18. A method, of maintaining an opening in a trabecular meshwork of a patient'"'"'s eye to conduct fluid from an anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, comprising:
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positioning an implant through an opening in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, the implant having an outlet section positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, an inlet section positioned in the anterior chamber of the eye, the inlet section having a first portion comprising an inlet and a second portion extending from the first portion to the outlet section, the second portion having an outer cross-sectional dimension that is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the outlet section, and a lumen extending from an inlet end of the implant to an outlet end of the implant; conducting fluid, through the lumen, from the inlet end of the implant to the outlet end of the implant, such that fluid flows from the anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal through the implant; and providing a delivery applicator that is configured to hold the implant. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method, of maintaining an opening in a trabecular meshwork of a patient'"'"'s eye to conduct fluid from an anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, comprising:
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positioning an implant through an opening in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, the implant having an outlet section positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, an inlet section positioned in the anterior chamber of the eye, the inlet section having a first portion comprising an inlet and a second portion extending from the first portion to the outlet section, the second portion having an outer cross-sectional dimension that is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the outlet section, and a lumen extending from an inlet end of the implant to an outlet end of the implant; conducting fluid, through the lumen, from the inlet end of the implant to the outlet end of the implant, such that fluid flows from the anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal through the implant; and abutting a portion of the distal portion to an internal surface of the inner wall of Schlemm'"'"'s canal.
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21. A method, of maintaining an opening in a trabecular meshwork of a patient'"'"'s eye to conduct fluid from an anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, comprising:
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positioning an implant through an opening in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, the implant having an outlet section positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, an inlet section positioned in the anterior chamber of the eye, the inlet section having a first portion comprising an inlet and a second portion extending from the first portion to the outlet section, the second portion having an outer cross-sectional dimension that is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the outlet section, and a lumen extending from an inlet end of the implant to an outlet end of the implant; conducting fluid, through the lumen, from the inlet end of the implant to the outlet end of the implant, such that fluid flows from the anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal through the implant; and inserting the implant through a corneal incision.
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22. A method, of maintaining an opening in a trabecular meshwork of a patient'"'"'s eye to conduct fluid from an anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, comprising:
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positioning an implant through an opening in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, the implant having an outlet section positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye, an inlet section positioned in the anterior chamber of the eye, the inlet section having a first portion comprising an inlet and a second portion extending from the first portion to the outlet section, the second portion having an outer cross-sectional dimension that is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the outlet section, and a lumen extending from an inlet end of the implant to an outlet end of the implant; conducting fluid, through the lumen, from the inlet end of the implant to the outlet end of the implant, such that fluid flows from the anterior chamber to Schlemm'"'"'s canal through the implant; and inserting the implant through a self-sealing incision in the eye.
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23. A method, of reducing intraocular pressure in an eye, comprising:
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advancing through an anterior chamber of the eye an implant having an outlet section positioned in a natural aqueous outflow space of the eye, an inlet section having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having an inlet, the second portion extending from the first portion of the inlet section to the joint region to the outlet section, the second portion sized and shaped to extend through eye tissue when the inlet section is positioned in the anterior chamber and the outlet section is positioned in the natural aqueous outflow space, and a substantially straight lumen extending from the inlet section of the implant to the outlet section of the implant, the second portion of the inlet section having a substantially uniform outer diameter between the first portion of the inlet section and the distal section; positioning the implant in the eye, such that the second portion extends through the eye tissue, the implant extending from the anterior chamber to the natural aqueous outflow space; and conducting fluid from the inlet section to the outlet section of the implant through the substantially straight lumen. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method, of treating glaucoma, comprising:
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advancing an implant through an incision in an eye, through the anterior chamber of the eye, and toward a trabecular meshwork of the eye; positioning the implant such that the implant extends through eye tissue, the implant extending from the anterior chamber to a natural aqueous outflow space located beyond the anterior chamber; wherein, after the positioning, the implant resides in an opening in the eye tissue, such that an inlet section of the implant is positioned in the anterior chamber while an outlet section of the implant is positioned in the natural aqueous outflow space; and wherein the outlet section of the implant has an outer cross-sectional dimension that is greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the opening; conducting fluid from the inlet section to the outlet section of the implant. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. A system, for reducing intraocular pressure, comprising:
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an implant, having an inlet portion configured to be positioned within an anterior chamber of an eye, a middle portion, an outlet portion configured to extend into a natural aqueous outflow space of the eye, the outlet portion having an outer cross-sectional dimension that, when implanted within the eye, is greater than an outer cross-sectional dimension of the middle portion; and a delivery applicator that is configured to hold the implant, the implant being configured to be movable with respect to the delivery applicator; wherein, when the implant is delivered within the eye, the delivery applicator guides the implant into position within an aperture in the eye tissue such that fluid is conducted through the implant from the anterior chamber to the natural aqueous outflow space. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. A method, of treating glaucoma, comprising:
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advancing a distal portion of a delivery applicator across an anterior chamber of an eye toward a trabecular meshwork of the eye; and advancing an implant along the delivery applicator and into position within the trabecular meshwork; wherein, when positioned in the trabecular meshwork, the implant conducts fluid from the anterior chamber through a substantially straight lumen of the implant, extending from an inlet section of the implant to an outlet section of the implant, and the outlet section of the implant abuts an outer side of the inner wall of Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye.
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34. An implant, comprising:
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a body, having an inlet end and an outlet end; the inlet end being configured to be positioned in an anterior chamber of an eye; the outlet end being configured to be positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal of the eye; a middle portion, sized and shaped to extend through a trabecular meshwork of the eye when the inlet end is positioned in the anterior chamber and the outlet end is positioned Schlemm'"'"'s canal; and wherein the body further comprises a protrusion disposed at one end of the body.
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Specification