Methods and apparatus for treating glaucoma
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An ocular implant defining a generally cylindrical volume, comprising:
- a proximal inlet portion at a proximal end of the implant adapted to be positioned in an anterior chamber of an eye;
a distal inlet portion at a distal end of the implant, the distal inlet portion being biased to bend at a first radius of curvature in a first plane;
an intermediate portion positioned between the proximal inlet portion and the distal inlet portion, the intermediate portion being biased to bend at a second radius of curvature in the first plane; and
a plurality of openings in the implant to facilitate fluidic flow laterally across the elongate implant.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. An ocular implant defining a generally cylindrical volume, comprising:
-
a proximal inlet portion at a proximal end of the implant adapted to be positioned in an anterior chamber of an eye; a distal inlet portion at a distal end of the implant, the distal inlet portion being biased to bend at a first radius of curvature in a first plane; an intermediate portion positioned between the proximal inlet portion and the distal inlet portion, the intermediate portion being biased to bend at a second radius of curvature in the first plane; and a plurality of openings in the implant to facilitate fluidic flow laterally across the elongate implant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. An ocular implant defining a generally cylindrical volume, comprising:
-
a proximal inlet portion at a proximal end of the implant, the proximal inlet portion adapted to be positioned in an anterior chamber of the eye; a distal inlet portion at a distal end of the implant, the distal inlet portion adapted to be positioned in the anterior chamber of the eye, the distal inlet portion being biased to bend at a first radius of curvature in a first plane; an intermediate portion positioned between the proximal and distal inlet portions, the intermediate portion adapted to be positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal, the intermediate portion being biased to bend at a second radius of curvature in the first plane; and a plurality of openings in the implant to facilitate fluidic flow laterally across the implant. - View Dependent Claims (10)
-
-
11. An ocular implant, comprising:
-
a proximal locking portion at a proximal end of the implant, the proximal end of the implant including a proximal inlet portion adapted to be positioned in an anterior chamber of an eye; a distal locking portion at a distal end of the implant; an intermediate portion extending between the proximal locking portion and the distal locking portion; the intermediate portion having a longitudinal axis that follows an arcuate path in a first plane when the implant is assuming a relaxed shape; wherein the proximal locking portion is biased to extend in a first radially inward direction relative to the arcuate path of the longitudinal axis of the intermediate portion; and wherein the distal locking portion is biased to extend in a second radially inward direction in the first plane relative to the arcuate path of the longitudinal axis of the intermediate portion. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification