Methods and devices for increasing aqueous drainage of the eye

Abstract

Devices and methods to remove trabecular meshwork to treat glaucoma and other conditions which may not utilize cutting elements when stripping the trabecular meshwork. The trabeculorhexis parts tissue by applying non-cutting shear and tension to the tissue to disinsert the tissue from its attachments. Reducing or eliminating the need for sharp cutting implements in the eye reduces the likelihood of incisional bleeding, iris and scleral tissue maceration and further inadvertent tissue damage of the gonio structure of the eye. In another aspect, a cutting element may be used to form a circumferential slit in a wall of Schlemm's canal in conjunction with removal of trabecular meshwork or independently.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16 / 699,039, filed Nov. 28, 2019, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 876,799, filed Jul. 22, 2019. The disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is directed to methods and devices for increasing aqueous drainage of the eye. In one specific application, for example, the devices and methods may be used to remove trabecular meshwork (with or without part of Schlemm's canal) to treat glaucoma and other conditions.[0003]Current trabecular excision devices typically use excisional blades or sharp needles (e.g. goniotomy) which have been around for decades. These devices typically create single stab-like partial cuts of the trabecular meshwork. More recent devices such as the Kahook dual blade (U.S. Pat. No. 9,872,799...

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