Methods and apparatus for treating glaucoma
First Claim
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1. A method of treating glaucoma in an eye of a patient, comprising:
- creating a first opening in a trabecular mesh of the eye;
inserting an implant from an anterior chamber through the first opening into Schlemm'"'"'s canal;
positioning a distal inlet portion and an intermediate portion of the implant in Schlemm'"'"'s canal;
moving a tool inserted into the eye to make a second opening in the trabecular mesh near the distal inlet portion, the second opening spaced apart from the first opening; and
allowing aqueous humor to flow from the anterior chamber into the implant and into Schlemm'"'"'s canal.
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Abstract
An ocular implant for treating glaucoma is provided, which may include any number of features. More particularly, the present invention relates to implants that facilitate the transfer of fluid from within one area of the eye to another area of the eye. One feature of the implant is that it includes a proximal inlet portion and a distal inlet portion adapted to be inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye, and an intermediate portion adapted to be inserted into Schlemm'"'"'s canal. Another feature of the implant is that it can be biased to assume a predetermined shape to aid in placement within the eye.
284 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of treating glaucoma in an eye of a patient, comprising:
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creating a first opening in a trabecular mesh of the eye; inserting an implant from an anterior chamber through the first opening into Schlemm'"'"'s canal; positioning a distal inlet portion and an intermediate portion of the implant in Schlemm'"'"'s canal; moving a tool inserted into the eye to make a second opening in the trabecular mesh near the distal inlet portion, the second opening spaced apart from the first opening; and allowing aqueous humor to flow from the anterior chamber into the implant and into Schlemm'"'"'s canal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of treating glaucoma in an eye of a patient, comprising:
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creating a first opening in a trabecular mesh of the eye; inserting an implant from an anterior chamber through the first opening into Schlemm'"'"'s canal; positioning a distal inlet portion and an intermediate portion of the implant in Schlemm'"'"'s canal, and positioning a proximal inlet portion of the implant near the first opening; moving a tissue piercing member from within the implant through the distal inlet portion to create a second opening in the trabecular mesh near the distal inlet portion, the second opening spaced apart from the first opening; and allowing aqueous humor to flow from the anterior chamber into the proximal and distal inlet portions, through the intermediate portion, and into Schlemm'"'"'s canal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification