Intraocular implant, kit, and implantation method

Abstract

An intraocular implant, kit, and method are disclosed. In one configuration, the implant is a frame that is installable in the suprachoroidal space of the eye and has an arcuate elongated shape that promotes the drainage of aqueous humor through the suprachoroidal space when installed in the suprachoroidal space and is configured to take on an elastically recoverable shape. The frame has a first axial end and a second axial end with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shape, and the arcuate elongated shape defines a channel. The channel has a first axial opening at the first axial end of the frame, a second axial opening at the second axial end of the frame, and a longitudinal opening that extends continuously from the first axial end to the second axial end of the frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an intraocular implant for treating glaucoma, as well as related kits and methods.

Background Art

[0002] Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. In primary open-angle glaucoma, it is known that reducing intraocular pressure can prevent vision loss and blindness.

[0003] The human eye has an anterior chamber and a posterior chamber separated by the lens. The anterior chamber is filled with a plasma-like fluid called aqueous humor. When a person views an object, light passes through various transparent structures within the eye, including the cornea, aqueous humor, lens, and vitreous humor, before reaching the retina. The constant flow of aqueous humor provides nutrition without the need for an opaque vascular system that could interfere with light transmission and removes waste products from these tissues. Aqueous humor is produced by the ciliary body behind the iris, flows through the lens and iris, and then exits the anterior chamber through multiple drainage routes. Most of the aqueous humor is drained into the Schlemm's canal via the trabecular meshwork. Only a small portion exits through the uveoscleral outflow pathway, where the aqueous humor enters the suprachoroidal space before exiting either via the transscleral flow through the drainage pathway or by entering the choroidal vascular system.

[0004] Normal intraocular pressure (IOP) ranges from 10 to 24 mmHg. When the natural drainage routes do not function properly, excess fluid accumulates within the eye, raising the IOP and maintaining a value higher than the normal limit. Over time, the elevated IOP damages the optic nerve, leading to blindness in the peripheral visual field. As glaucoma progresses, the patient gradually loses their visual field until complete blindness occurs.

[0005] Treatment of glaucoma includes medication, laser surgery, surgical procedures, and minimally invasive implants.

[0006] Medication may include eye drops that control aqueous humor production and / or fluid inflow, or eye drops that facilitate outflow through the trabecular meshwork. These approaches are not persistent or without complications, and may lead to further progression of symptoms due to patient non-compliance.

[0007] Surgery may include trabeculectomy. During this surgery, a small opening is formed in the trabecular meshwork to allow fluid to flow out of the anterior chamber, a bleb is formed to temporarily store a small amount of aqueous humor in the subconjunctival space, and this is then absorbed by the posterior part of the eye.

[0008] Minimally invasive implants may aim to avoid the potential for complications and the invasiveness of trabeculectomy. Such implants may be inserted into the eye to form an artificial drainage pathway or to expand a natural drainage pathway.

[0009] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012 / 0123315 discloses the formation of a drainage pathway by placing a tube structure between the anterior chamber and the subconjunctival space. U.S. Patent No. 7,740,604 discloses an implant inserted into Schlemm's canal. Other implants target the vitreous scleral outflow pathway via the suprachoroidal space. The suprachoroidal space can be accessed relatively easily via an ab interno approach and creates a significant IOP reduction. U.S. Patent No. 9,788,999 discloses a tubular implant that accesses this route, but this has been found to cause significant endothelial cell loss. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0038462 discloses an implant intended to reduce endothelial cell loss by using special biomaterials.

[0010] A further drawback found in some implants is the tendency to cause blockage due to fibrosis of the lumen.

[0011] The object of the present disclosure is to improve the treatment of glaucoma using intraocular implants.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intraocular implant, a frame that can be placed in the suprachoroidal space of the eye, which, when placed in the suprachoroidal space, has an arched elongated shape that promotes the drainage of aqueous humor through the suprachoroidal space and is configured to resiliently assume such a shape. In the intraocular implant having a frame, the frame has a first axial end and a second axial end with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shape, and the arched elongated shape defines a channel having a first axial opening at the first axial end of the frame, a second axial opening at the second axial end of the frame, and a longitudinal opening that continuously extends from the first axial end to the second axial end.

[0013] By providing an implant having a frame that defines an arched elongated shape as described above, high positional stability is promoted when placed in the suprachoroidal space. The edge profile of the frame that defines both sides of the longitudinal opening is pushed into the tissue to provide effective anchor fixation against the longitudinal movement of the frame. Positional stability increases the lifespan and reliability, and reduces or avoids the need for the implant to protrude from the suprachoroidal space, which reduces or avoids the risk of endothelial cell loss caused by the implant.

[0014] In some embodiments, one or each edge profile spreads non-linearly to increase friction, thereby preventing the longitudinal movement of the frame when placed in the suprachoroidal space. By providing such a non-linear edge profile, the positional stability of the implant after installation is further increased.

[0015] In some embodiments, the frame has a network of interconnected arms that define a plurality of cells that define openings corresponding to the frame. When installed, the frame compresses the tissue so that the tissue protrudes into the openings of the cells. This protrusion of the tissue into the openings anchors the frame against the longitudinal movement of the frame, thereby further improving positional stability.

[0016] In some embodiments, the channel has a non-uniform cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis. For example, the cross-sectional area may be smaller than one or both of the first and second axial ends at a position within the range between the first and second axial ends. By varying the cross-sectional area, it has been found that the implant can take a shape that conforms to the shape of the suprachoroidal space, further improving positional stability and installation reliability.

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be further described by way of mere examples with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a part of the eye. The lens 21 and iris 23 of the eye can be seen through the cornea 22. The cornea 22 also surrounds the anterior chamber 24 filled with aqueous humor that bulges the eye into a spherical shape to maintain intraocular pressure. The aqueous humor is secreted from the ciliary body 28, which also supports the lens 21. The aqueous humor is continuously produced and flows throughout the eye to provide nutrition, remove waste products from tissues, and maintain the hemispherical shape of the cornea. As described in the introduction to this description, the aqueous humor can be drained via several routes. The first route is the flow through the trabecular meshwork 25 into the Schlemm's canal, which is the route through which most aqueous humor outflow occurs. The second route is the uveoscleral outflow pathway, in which the fluid flow passes between the muscles between the anterior chamber and the ciliary muscle and outflows into the suprachoroidal space 26 and the suprachoroidal cavity before being drained through the sclera 27.

[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an intraocular implant configured for placement in the suprachoroidal space 26. The implant may be inserted into this location via the anterior chamber 24. Once placed in position, the implant promotes the flow of aqueous humor in the suprachoroidal space by supporting and / or expanding the suprachoroidal space (thereby promoting the uveoscleral outflow pathway).

[0021] Exemplary embodiments are shown in FIGS. 2-7. The implant has a frame 1. The frame 1 is installable in the suprachoroidal space of the eye. Thus, the frame 1 can be made of a biocompatible material and have a shape and dimensions that particularly enable safe installation as an implant in this location. For example, the frame 1 may have a length in the range of about 3 mm to about 8 mm. The width of the frame 1 may be in the range of about 0.2 mm to about 3.5 mm, optionally in the range of about 0.4 mm to about 1.5 mm. The dimensions of the frame 1 may be made to order and / or selected to correspond to the specific anatomical structure of the patient's eye.

[0022] The frame 1 is configured to assume an arcuate elongated shape with elastic resilience that promotes the drainage of aqueous humor through the suprachoroidal space when the frame 1 is placed in the suprachoroidal space. Thus, the frame 1 may press radially outward against the tissue of the suprachoroidal space. The elongated shape has an arcuate cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shape. The longitudinal axis extends from bottom left to top right in FIGS. 2 and 5, from left to right in FIGS. 3 and 4, and perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIGS. 6 and 7. The cross-section is typically arcuate along the entire length of the elongated shape. The cross-section may be constant or vary along the length (exemplified or described in more detail below. See, for example, FIG. 6).

[0023] With respect to the axis in the longitudinal direction, the frame 1 has a first axial end 132 and a second axial end 134. The elongated shape defines a channel for promoting the drainage of aqueous humor through the suprachoroidal space 26. The channel has a first axial opening 51 at the first axial end 132 of the frame 1. The channel has a second axial opening 52 at the second axial end 134 of the frame 1. The channel has a longitudinal opening 53 (see FIG. 6) that extends continuously from the first axial end 132 to the second axial end 134 (i.e., below the frame 1 in the arrangement of the figure).

[0024] The elongated shape is elongated in the sense that the length of the shape along the longitudinal axis is greater than the maximum linear dimension of any cross-section of the channel, for example greater than the diameter of the channel at all positions between the first and second axial ends of the frame 1. In the arrangements of FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, the length of this shape corresponds to the distance from the leftmost side of the frame 1 to the rightmost side of the frame 1. The maximum linear dimension of any cross-section of the channel corresponds to the dashed line shown at the second axial end 134 in FIG. 3, which is the diameter of the channel at the second axial end 134.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame 1 in the installed state. FIG. 5 is a variant of FIG. 2, shown together with a conceptual reference plane 40 along which the outer shape traced by the radially inward-facing surface of the frame 1 is depicted. The reference plane 40 is not a physical part of the frame 1, but only serves to make the arched elongated shape of the frame 1 easier to view. The frame 1 is configured such that the radially inward-facing surface of the frame 1 follows the outer shape of the reference plane 40 (for example, if the reference plane 40 were a real surface, the radially inward-facing surface of the frame 1 would fit exactly with the reference plane 40). The frame 1 may be set to a specific shape adapted to the anatomical structure of the suprachoroidal space, formed by laser cutting a tube, in which case the reference plane 40 may correspond to the shape of the shape-setting tool inside the frame 1.

[0026] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the arch-shaped elongated shape taken by the frame 1 may have a cross-section that resembles a part of a circle. In such embodiments, the part of the circle may exhibit an angular boundary between 90° and 270°, preferably between 120° and 240°, preferably between 150° and 210°, preferably substantially 180°, for at least a part of the length of the frame 1. In the examples of FIGS. 2-7, the arch-shaped elongated shape has a cross-section that resembles a semi-circle (exhibiting a substantially 180° boundary).

[0027] The frame 1 may be configured to self-expand from a radially contracted state to a radially expanded state. The arch-shaped elongated shape may correspond to the radially expanded state. The frame 1 can be inserted into a desired position within the eye (e.g., the suprachoroidal space) while being held in a radially contracted state and then released to snap into a radially expanded state. The self-expanding property may be provided, for example, by forming the frame from nitinol or a similar elastic or shape memory material. Further examples of the material of the frame 1 are described later.

[0028] In some embodiments, the frame 1 has edge contours 54, 55 (designated by reference numerals in FIG. 6, for example) that define both sides of the longitudinal opening 53. The edge contours 54, 55 engage the tissue during use. In the arrangements of FIGS. 2-7, the edge contours are defined by the lowermost end of the frame 1 on either side of the longitudinal opening 53. The elastic recovery property of the frame 1 means that when installed, the frame 1 presses radially outward against the tissue. In the arrangements shown in FIGS. 2-7, the rounded and bulged upper part of the frame presses upward against the tissue, and the edge contours 54, 55 press downward. Due to the relatively small surface area of the edge contours 54, 55, the edge contours 54, 55 embed into the tissue, providing an anchor fixing force against the longitudinal movement of the frame 1, thereby increasing the positional stability of the implant.

[0029] In some embodiments, the edge contour extends non-linearly along the length of the frame 1. The non-linear configuration increases friction, thereby further preventing longitudinal movement of the frame 1 when placed in the suprachoroidal space. The non-linear edge contours 54, 55 in such embodiments may be referred to as anchor structures. In the examples of FIGS. 2-7, both edge contours 54, 55 are non-linear. The edge contour undulates along the length of the frame 1 (e.g., left to right in FIG. 4) defining convex portions 41 and concave portions 42. The edge contours 54, 55, in this example, consist of convex portions 41 and concave portions 42. When placed in the suprachoroidal space, the convex portions 41 press into the tissue and the tissue protrudes into the concave portions 42. Both effects act to prevent unwanted longitudinal movement of the frame 1 after placement.

[0030] In some embodiments, the frame 1 has a network of interconnected arms 12. The arms 12 may be referred to as struts. When the arms 12 are formed from a metallic material (e.g., Nitinol), the thickness of the arms (struts) may typically range, for example, from about 0.03 mm to 0.05 mm. When the arms 12 are formed from a biocompatible polymer material, the thickness of the arms (struts) may typically range from about 0.03 mm to 0.09 mm, depending on the flexibility of the material. The network may be formed by laser cutting a tube (e.g., a tube having a semi-circular cross-section or a cylindrical tube that forms an arched elongated shape by subsequent cutting), or by any other suitable method. The arms 12 define closed-loop cells 11. Each cell 11 defines an opening (e.g., a radially oriented opening) within the frame 1 that is surrounded by one or more arms 12. In the examples of FIGS. 2-7, each cell 11 is surrounded by six substantially straight arms 12 that together form a hexagon. Thus, the opening of each cell 11 is hexagonal in this example. The network of arms 12 forms an arched elongated shape that defines channels. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 2-7, the openings render the rounded bulged upper portion of the frame 1 porous. The extent to which the material covers the porous rounded bulged upper portion is typically less than 50%, but is not particularly limited.

[0031] When placed in a radially expanded state in the suprachoroidal space, the frame 1 compresses the tissue. In some embodiments, this causes the tissue to protrude into the openings 11 of the cells. The protrusion of tissue into the openings of the cells 11 anchors the position of the frame 1 against longitudinal movement of the frame 1. In this way, the protrusion of tissue prevents longitudinal movement of the frame 1 that is not desired. In other embodiments, for example, when a coating in the form of a membrane is provided to cover the openings 11, the tissue may not protrude into the openings 11 of the cells very much or at all. An exemplary frame 1 having such a coating is shown in FIG. 15.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cells 11 are provided in a plurality of rows aligned perpendicular (e.g., along the circumferential direction) to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shape. The number of cells 11 in a row may be alternating along the longitudinal axis for at least a portion of the frame 1. In the examples of FIGS. 2-7, the number of cells 11 in a row alternates between two and three. The number of cells 11 in each row is typically less than the number of rows due to the elongated nature of the frame 1.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the cells 11 are in a hexagonal honeycomb configuration with cells fitting snugly together. In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the cells may be other shapes. Different patterns of cells 11 can be obtained in various ways during the design process. In the example of FIG. 8, different patterns are obtained by changing the inner angle 131 of the cell 11 and / or by selectively removing the arms 12. For example, if the arms 12 aligned longitudinally with an angle 131 less than 120° are removed, the cell 11 can be in a shape of rhombuses fitting snugly together as illustrated in the upper figure of FIG. 8. If the angle 131 is made greater than 180°, the cell 11 can be in the shape of a six-sided polygon with recessed opposite corners as illustrated in the middle figure of FIG. 8. If the angle 131 is set between 120° and 180°, the cell 11 can be approximately circular as illustrated in the lower figure of FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows a further possible pattern of the network of arms 12 that may allow for a more compact contraction of the frame 1 in the (radially contracted) state before installation. The thickness and / or composition of the arms 12 can be adjusted during the design process to select the desired stiffness of the frame 1.

[0034] The dimensions and / or stiffness of the elongated arch defined by the frame 1 are selected to support and slightly expand the tissue in the suprachoroidal space. In some embodiments, when viewed along the longitudinal axis, the cross-section along the length of the frame 1 is configured to follow a circular path each having a radius in the range of 0.15 to 1 mm.

[0035] In some embodiments, the frame 1 is configured such that the channel has a non-uniform cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis. Thus, the cross-sectional area varies along the longitudinal direction, optionally by at least 5%, optionally by at least 10%, optionally by at least 20%, optionally by at least 40%. By providing such variations, the longitudinal anchoring of the frame 1 after installation can be enhanced (preventing longitudinal movement of the frame 1). In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, the cross-sectional area is smaller at positions within the range between the first and second axial ends 132, 134 than at one or both of the first and second axial ends 132, 134, optionally by at least 5%, optionally by at least 10%, optionally by at least 20%, optionally by at least 40%. In a variation, the frame 1 may be shaped like a saddle. Such an arrangement can provide effective longitudinal anchoring against movement in both longitudinal directions. The variation in area is emphasized by the reference plane 40 in FIG. 5 for the embodiments of FIGS. 2-7. It has been shown that the radius of the channel varies continuously as a function of the longitudinal position. The radius decreases from a maximum value at the second axial end 134 to a minimum value at the midpoint 133 before increasing to a larger value at the first axial end 132. The radius at the second axial end 134 may be different from the radius at the first axial end 132. Such a variation in radius provides a particularly effective embedding of the frame 1 into the sclera, and as a result, it has been found to provide a high level of positional stability (e.g., resistance to movement in either longitudinal direction). In some embodiments, the frame 1 is also bent into a saddle shape to better conform to the rounded shape of the suprachoroidal space within the human eye.

[0036] In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the cross-sectional area monotonically decreases from one axial end 134 to the other axial end 132. Thus, the radius can monotonically decrease, for example linearly, from one axial end 134 to the other axial end 132. The inner surface of the frame 1 may, for example, coincide with a part of a cone. Embodiments having such a monotonic change in area (and / or radius) can provide a greater anchor fixing force for movement in one longitudinal direction than in the other longitudinal direction. For example, when placed in the eye, the frame 1 of FIG. 10 can be moved more easily from right to left. The variation can also improve the degree of conformity between the shape of the frame 1 and the anatomical space in which the frame 1 is to be installed. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the cross-sectional area (and / or radius) may be the same throughout the length of the frame 1, for example such that the frame 1 follows a cylindrical outer shape. This approach can facilitate the manufacture of the frame 1.

[0037] The flow of aqueous humor into / from the channel typically occurs mainly via the first and second axial openings 51 and 52 of the channel. However, the flow can also occur through openings in the side walls of the frame 1, such as the openings defined by the cells 11, as shown by FIG. 7 and the arrow 29. The flow through the side walls can occur, for example, where only a part of the frame 1 protrudes from the suprachoroidal space into the anterior chamber.

[0038] Frame 1 can be made in dimensions selected to provide desired structural and mechanical attributes from a variety of biocompatible materials. Metal or non-metal materials can be used. Examples of metal materials include stainless steel, tantalum, titanium, nitinol (described above), and cobalt chromium. In some embodiments, Frame 1 may be provided with a biocompatible coating that improves anchor fixation performance, increases biocompatibility, and / or provides anti-fibrosis properties. As will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the biocompatible coating may be provided as a membrane stretched across opening 11, or may be provided only on Frame 1 with opening 11 left open. Alternatively or additionally, Frame 1 may contain a therapeutic agent supported by Frame 1. The therapeutic agent may be incorporated into a polymeric coating deposited on the outer and / or inner surfaces of Frame 1. In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent includes an anti-glaucoma drug and / or a biodegradable drug matrix. Examples of anti-glaucoma drugs include prostaglandin analogs.

[0039] In certain embodiments, a kit for implanting an implant into the suprachoroidal space is provided. The kit may have an implant according to any of the embodiments described herein. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the kit may further include a delivery system 3 configured to deliver the implant into the suprachoroidal space. The implant may be provided pre-attached or encapsulated within the delivery system 3. The delivery system 3 may include a delivery sheath 31 that includes implant 1. The delivery sheath 31 may be configured (e.g., shaped and / or dimensioned) to be inserted into the suprachoroidal space via the anterior chamber of the eye. The delivery system 3 may be configured to be able to withdraw the delivery sheath 31 from the suprachoroidal space while leaving the implant within the suprachoroidal space.

[0040] An example of such a delivery system 3 is shown in FIG. 12. The delivery system 3 of this embodiment has a handle 33 and a retrieval mechanism 32. The retrieval mechanism 32 has gears and racks configured to drive the relative movement between the delivery sheath 31 and the implant (having frame 1) inside the delivery sheath 31. A core member having a wire or tube may be provided inside the delivery sheath 31 so that the delivery sheath 31 can be withdrawn without corresponding movement of the implant. In certain embodiments, the lumen of the delivery sheath 31 is smaller than the radius of the implant when the frame 1 is in a radially expanded state so that the implant is constrained in a radially contracted state when it is within the delivery sheath 31. FIG. 13 is a top view showing the frame 1 of the implant in a radially contracted state inside the delivery sheath 31. The size of the core member is defined by the size of the delivery sheath 31. After insertion into the anterior chamber, the distal end of the delivery sheath 31 advances into the suprachoroidal space until the frame 1 of the implant reaches the desired position. Thereafter, the retrieval mechanism 32 is actuated to pull the delivery sheath 31 rearward relative to the frame 1 while the frame 1 is maintained in the same position by the core member, thereby implanting the frame 1. After the implant is fully implanted, the core member and sheath 31 may be withdrawn from the suprachoroidal space.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, the frame 1 may be held in a radially contracted state by a restraining material configured to decompose within the suprachoroidal space to release the frame 1 in a radially expanded state at the desired implantation position. In this type of embodiment, the frame 1 may be implanted without the delivery sheath 31 (i.e., bare). An example of this type of configuration is shown in FIG. 14 (upper figure) where the restraining material forms local loops 4. The restraining material may have a biocompatible substance such as a suture material (e.g., a polymer such as polyglycolic acid and / or polyethylene glycol and / or a lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer). After insertion, the restraining material 4 decomposes over time, for example, by being hydrated and gradually dissolved by the aqueous humor. The restraining material 4 ultimately releases the frame 1 to expand it into a radially expanded state.

[0042] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the implant may further have a biocompatible coating 60. The coating 60 is provided on the frame 1. The coating 60 may be provided on one or both of the radial inner and outer surfaces of the frame 1. The coating 60 may have silicon or other biocompatible materials. The coating 60 may reduce or prevent scarring around the frame 1 after being placed in the eye and / or otherwise improve biocompatibility. The coating 60 may be configured to improve bioconjugation, for example, by having a microporous structure having a network of micropores and / or a multilayer coating. Alternatively or additionally, the coating may improve the anchoring performance. Alternatively or additionally, the coating may provide anti-fibrotic properties. In some embodiments, the coating 60 may have a therapeutic agent such as an anti-glaucoma drug. The coating 60 may be configured to elute the drug.

[0043] FIG. 15 shows a variant of the arrangement of FIG. 3 in which such a coating 60 is provided on the radial outer surface of the frame 1. The coating 60 is provided, for example, in the form of a thin fabric-like membrane stretched over the opening 11.

[0044] FIG. 16 shows a variant of the arrangement of FIG. 3 in which such a coating 60 is provided on the radial outer surface of the frame 1 without being stretched over the opening. In this case, the coating 60 is provided in contact with only the frame 1.

Claims

**Claim 1** An intraocular implant, comprising a frame that can be placed in the suprachoroidal space of the eye, the frame being configured to have an arch-shaped elongated shape with elastic resilience that promotes the drainage of aqueous humor through the suprachoroidal space when placed in the suprachoroidal space, wherein, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shape, the frame has a first axial end and a second axial end, and the arch-shaped elongated shape defines a channel having a first axial opening at the first axial end of the frame, a second axial opening at the second axial end of the frame, and a longitudinal opening that extends continuously from the first axial end to the second axial end. An intraocular implant. **Claim 2** The implant according to claim 1, wherein the frame has an edge contour that defines both sides of the longitudinal opening, and one or each of the edge contours spreads non-linearly to increase friction, thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the frame when placed in the suprachoroidal space. **Claim 3** The implant according to claim 2, wherein the non-linear edge contour has a plurality of convex and concave portions. **Claim 4** The implant according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame has a network of interconnected arms that define a plurality of cells that define an opening corresponding to the frame. **Claim 5** The implant according to claim 4, wherein the cells are provided in a plurality of rows aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shape. **Claim 6** The implant according to claim 5, wherein the number of cells in the row alternates along the longitudinal axis. **Claim 7** The implant according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel has a non-uniform cross-sectional area along the longitudinal axis. **Claim 8** The implant according to claim 7, wherein the cross-sectional area is smaller at a position within the range between the first and second axial ends than at one or both of the first and second axial ends. **Claim 9** The implant according to claim 8, wherein the cross-sectional area is smaller at a position within the range than at both of the first and second axial ends. **Claim 10** The implant according to claim 8, wherein the cross-sectional area decreases monotonically from one axial end to the other axial end. **Claim 11** The implant according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arch-shaped elongated shape is in a radially expanded state, and the elongated frame is configured to self-expand from a radially contracted state to the radially expanded state.

12. The implant according to claim 11, wherein the frame is held in the radially contracted state by a restraining material configured to decompose within the suprachoroidal space to release the frame into the radially expanded state.

13. The implant according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a biocompatible coating provided on or within the frame, the coating being configured to improve anchor fixation performance, increase bioconjugation, and / or provide anti-fibrotic properties.

14. The implant according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a therapeutic agent supported by the frame.

15. A kit for implanting an implant into the suprachoroidal space of an eye, the kit comprising the implant according to any one of the preceding claims, and a delivery system configured to deliver the implant into the suprachoroidal space of the eye. Kit.

16. The kit according to claim 15, wherein the delivery system comprises the implant and has a delivery sheath configured to be inserted into the suprachoroidal space via the anterior chamber of the eye, and the delivery system is configured to be able to withdraw the delivery sheath from the suprachoroidal space while leaving the implant in the suprachoroidal space.

17. A method of implanting an implant into the suprachoroidal space, comprising implanting the implant according to any one of claims 1 to 14 into the suprachoroidal space.

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