Minimally invasive glaucoma surgical instrument and method
First Claim
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1. A device for forming an opening in the trabecular meshwork of the eye of a subject, said device comprising:
- an elongate probe having a distal end that is insertable into the anterior chamber of the eye;
a member extending from the distal end of the elongate probe, said member having opposing upper and lower sides; and
a cutting or ablating apparatus is located adjacent to the upper side of the member;
said member being insertable, while the elongate shaft extends through the anterior chamber of the eye, into the Schlemm'"'"'s canal such that the member is advanceable through a portion of Schlem'"'"'s canal with the cutting or ablating apparatus cutting or ablating trabecular meshwork tissue as the member is being so advanced.
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Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for the treatment of glaucoma are provided. The instrument uses either cauterization, a laser to ablate, sonic or ultrasonic energy to emulsify, or mechanical cutting of a portion of the trabecular meshwork. The instrument may also be provided with irrigation, aspiration, and a footplate. The footplate is used to enter Schlemm'"'"'s canal, serves as a guide, and also protects Schlemm'"'"'s canal.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A device for forming an opening in the trabecular meshwork of the eye of a subject, said device comprising:
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an elongate probe having a distal end that is insertable into the anterior chamber of the eye; a member extending from the distal end of the elongate probe, said member having opposing upper and lower sides; and a cutting or ablating apparatus is located adjacent to the upper side of the member; said member being insertable, while the elongate shaft extends through the anterior chamber of the eye, into the Schlemm'"'"'s canal such that the member is advanceable through a portion of Schlem'"'"'s canal with the cutting or ablating apparatus cutting or ablating trabecular meshwork tissue as the member is being so advanced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for improving drainage of fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye of a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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A) preparing a glaucoma treatment device that comprises i) an elongate probe having a distal end that is insertable into the anterior chamber of the eye, ii) a member extending from the distal end of the elongate probe, said member having opposing upper and lower sides and iii) a cutting or ablating apparatus located adjacent to the upper side of the member; B) inserting a distal portion of the elongate probe into the anterior chamber of the subject'"'"'s eye; C) with the distal portion of the probe positioned in the anterior chamber of the eye, positioning the member in Schlemm'"'"'s canal with the cutting or ablating apparatus positioned to cut or ablate tissue of the trabecular meshwork; and D) advancing the member through a segment of Schlem'"'"'s canal such that the cutting or ablating apparatus cuts or ablates a segment of the trabecular meshwork thereby forming an opening through which fluid may drain from the anterior chamber into Schlemm'"'"'s canal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification