Ocular Implant System and Method

Abstract

An ocular implant and delivery system having a channel tool adapted to extend through at least a portion of Schlemm's canal of a human eye and to determine whether the Schlemm's canal portion provides a suitable location for the delivery of an ocular implant; an ocular implant adapted to be disposed within Schlemm's canal of a human eye; and a cannula comprising a distal opening adapted to deliver the channel tool and the ocular implant into Schlemm's canal of the eye. The invention also provides a method of treating glaucoma in a human eye including the steps of inserting a distal exit port of a cannula at least partially into Schlemm's canal of the eye; delivering a channel tool through the cannula into Schlemm's canal; delivering an ocular implant through the cannula into Schlemm's canal; and removing the channel tool and the cannula from the eye while leaving the ocular implant in place within Schlemm's canal.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 254,523 filed Oct. 23, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE[0002]All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]According to a draft report by The National Eye Institute (NEI) at The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), glaucoma is now the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and the second leading cause of blindness, behind cataract, in the world. Thus, the NEI draft report concludes, “it is critical that significant emphasis and resources continue to be devoted to determining the pathophysiology and management of this ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In some cases, the Schlemm's canal of a patient suffering from glaucoma has lost some or all of its natural functionality. Due to the abnormal pressures caused by glaucoma, Schlemm's canal and related tissues may have lost the ability to move. In some patients, these conditions may result in the collapse and subsequent closure of part or all of Schlemm's canal. When this is the case, portions of the wall of Schlemm's canal may be pushed closed and may not be allowed to rebound to an open shape. Over time, the collapsed wall of Schlemm's canal may adhere to itself causing the canal to become compartmentalized. Prior to implantation of an implant into Schlemm's canal, therefore, it may be advantageous to determine whether the lumen of Schlemm's canal is partially or completely blocked, i.e., to establish and confirm that enough space exists for an implant to reside and optionally to open up part of all of the canal lumen.

Problems solved by technology

Due to the abnormal pressures caused by glaucoma, Schlemm's canal and related tissues may have lost the ability to move.

In some patients, these conditions may result in the collapse and subsequent closure of part or all of Schlemm's canal.

When this is the case, portions of the wall of Schlemm's canal may be pushed closed and may not be allowed to rebound to an open shape.

Images