Delivering ocular implants into the eye
First Claim
1. A method of deploying an ocular implant into Schlemm'"'"'s canal of an eye, comprising:
- inserting a distal end of a curved distal portion of a cannula having a radius of curvature through a cornea of the eye and into an anterior chamber of the eye, the cannula comprising a distal opening with a trough extending from the distal end and through a side wall;
placing the distal opening of the cannula into fluid communication with Schlemm'"'"'s canal;
advancing the ocular implant distally through the cannula with a delivery tool engaged with the ocular implant, a proximal interlocking portion of the ocular implant engaging a complimentary interlocking portion of the delivery tool proximal to the distal opening of the cannula, the delivery tool having a curved at-rest shape with a smaller radius of curvature than the radius of curvature of the curved distal portion of the cannula; and
disengaging the ocular implant and the delivery tool when the proximal interlocking portion of the ocular implant reaches the cannula distal opening by permitting the delivery tool to move toward its curved at-rest shape.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of deploying an ocular implant into Schlemm'"'"'s canal of an eye. The method includes the steps of inserting a distal end of a cannula through a cornea of the eye and into an anterior chamber of the eye, the cannula having a distal opening extending from the distal end and through a side wall; placing the distal opening of the cannula into fluid communication with Schlemm'"'"'s canal; advancing the ocular implant distally through the cannula with a delivery tool engaged with the ocular implant, a proximal portion of the ocular implant engaging the delivery tool proximal to a distal portion of the delivery tool; and disengaging the ocular implant and the delivery tool when the proximal portion of the ocular implant reaches the cannula distal opening. The invention also includes a system for practicing the method.
312 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of deploying an ocular implant into Schlemm'"'"'s canal of an eye, comprising:
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inserting a distal end of a curved distal portion of a cannula having a radius of curvature through a cornea of the eye and into an anterior chamber of the eye, the cannula comprising a distal opening with a trough extending from the distal end and through a side wall; placing the distal opening of the cannula into fluid communication with Schlemm'"'"'s canal; advancing the ocular implant distally through the cannula with a delivery tool engaged with the ocular implant, a proximal interlocking portion of the ocular implant engaging a complimentary interlocking portion of the delivery tool proximal to the distal opening of the cannula, the delivery tool having a curved at-rest shape with a smaller radius of curvature than the radius of curvature of the curved distal portion of the cannula; and disengaging the ocular implant and the delivery tool when the proximal interlocking portion of the ocular implant reaches the cannula distal opening by permitting the delivery tool to move toward its curved at-rest shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification