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Glaucoma treatment device

  • US 9,789,000 B2
  • Filed: 05/07/2015
  • Issued: 10/17/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of treating an eye comprising:

  • introducing an elongated applier of a delivery instrument through a cornea of the eye and into an anterior chamber of the eye, wherein the elongated applier comprises a proximal opening, a distal opening, and an internal lumen that forms a fluid pathway and wherein at least a distal portion of the elongated applier is flexible to deflect against a tissue of the eye, and wherein an ocular implant is removably coupled to the elongated applier as the elongated applier is introduced through the cornea, the delivery instrument defining a longitudinal axis and comprising;

    (a) a hand-held component;

    (b) the elongated applier operatively coupled to the hand-held component, the elongated applier comprising a proximal region aligned with the longitudinal axis and a distal region, the distal region being curved away from the longitudinal axis during introduction of the ocular implant into the anterior chamber; and

    (c) a deployment structure having a proximal end coupled to the hand-held component and a distal end positioned around the elongated applier proximal of the ocular implant when the ocular implant is removably attached to the delivery instrument;

    dissecting at least a portion of the ciliary body from the sclera proximate a scleral spur to form a dissected tissue plane between the ciliary body and the sclera;

    advancing a distal region of the elongated applier toward the suprachoroidal space through the dissected tissue plane;

    injecting a fluid through the lumen of the elongated applier and out of the distal opening of the elongated applier, wherein the fluid is supplied via the proximal opening of the elongated applier that is fluidly connected to the fluid pathway of the elongated applier; and

    actuating the delivery instrument to move the elongated applier of the delivery instrument in a proximal direction out of the ocular implant while the ocular implant remains fixed relative to a portion of the delivery instrument so to release the elongated applier from the ocular implant, wherein the distal region of the elongated applier withdraws into the deployment structure and conforms to the longitudinal axis of the delivery instrument as the distal region withdraws into the deployment structure.

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