Methods for deploying an intraocular shunt from a deployment device and into an eye

• US 8,663,303 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2010
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Victor
• Application Number:
  US12/946,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20120123440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,205 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.11, 623/1.23, 623/6.12, 606/6, 606/108, 606/166
• US Class Current: 623/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

The invention generally relates to methods for using an intraocular shunt deployment device to deploy an intraocular shunt from the device and into an eye.

Claims

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

providing a device comprising;

a housing;

a deployment mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing;

a sleeve extending from the housing; and

a hollow shaft coupled to the deployment mechanism, extending within the sleeve, and configured to carry an intraocular shunt;

wherein rotation of the deployment mechanism results in axial movement of the shaft relative to the shunt;

inserting the device into an eye;

advancing the device through the eye until a distal edge of the sleeve presses against sclera to provide resistance against further advancement of the device; and

rotating the deployment mechanism to advance the shunt from the device and into the eye.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rotating comprises forming a flow path from an anterior chamber of the eye to an area of lower pressure.

3. The method according to claim 2, 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.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inserting step comprises introducing the shunt into the eye through a cornea of the eye.

5. A method for deploying an intraocular shunt within an eye, the method comprising:

providing a device comprising;

a housing;

a sleeve extending from the housing;

a deployment mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing; and

a hollow shaft coupled to the deployment mechanism, extending within the sleeve, and configured to carry an intraocular shunt;

inserting the device into an eye;

advancing the device through the eye until a distal edge of the sleeve presses against sclera to provide resistance against further advancement of the device; and

advancing the shunt from the device and into the eye.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the advancing comprises forming a flow path from an anterior chamber of the eye to an area of lower pressure.

7. The method according to claim 6, 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.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the inserting step comprises introducing the shunt into the eye through a cornea of the eye.

9. A method for deploying an intraocular shunt within an eye, the method comprising:

providing a device comprising a sleeve and a hollow shaft extending within the sleeve and configured to hold an intraocular shunt;

inserting the device into an eye;

advancing the device through the eye until a distal edge of the sleeve presses against sclera to provide resistance against further advancement of the device; and

upon the sleeve being pressed against the sclera, advancing the shunt from the device.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the advancing comprises forming a flow path from an anterior chamber of the eye to an area of lower pressure.

11. The method according to claim 10, 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.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the inserting step comprises introducing the shunt into the eye through a cornea of the eye.

13. A method for deploying an intraocular shunt within an eye, the method comprising:

inserting a device into an eye, the device comprising a hollow shaft extending within a sleeve, the shaft holding an intraocular shunt;

advancing the shaft through sclera of the eye until a distal edge of the sleeve presses against anterior chamber angle tissue to provide resistance against further advancement of the device; and

advancing the shunt from the device and into the eye to form a flow path from an anterior chamber of the eye to an area of lower pressure.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the advancing comprises advancing the device through the eye until a distal edge of the sleeve presses against sclera.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the inserting step comprises introducing the shunt into the eye through a cornea of the eye.

16. The method according to claim 13, 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.