|Publication number||US8152752 B2|
|Application number||US 10/987,171|
|Publication date||Apr 10, 2012|
|Filing date||Nov 12, 2004|
|Priority date||Apr 26, 1999|
|Also published as||CA2368314A1, CA2368335A1, CA2368335C, CA2368342A1, CA2368354A1, CA2368354C, CA2648346A1, CA2648346C, CN1354642A, DE60019740D1, DE60019740T2, DE60025715D1, DE60025715T2, DE60037406D1, DE60037406T2, DE60042853D1, EP1173123A1, EP1173124A1, EP1173124B1, EP1173125A1, EP1173125B1, EP1173126A1, EP1173126B1, EP1477146A2, EP1477146A3, EP1477146B1, EP2027837A2, EP2027837A3, EP2116215A2, EP2116215A3, EP2116215B1, EP2260804A2, EP2260804A3, US6450984, US6464724, US6524275, US6626858, US6783544, US6827699, US6827700, US7850637, US8388568, US8771217, US20030009124, US20030069637, US20030220602, US20030220603, US20030236484, US20040260228, US20050090806, US20050090807, US20100004580, US20110196281, WO2000064389A1, WO2000064390A1, WO2000064390A9, WO2000064391A1, WO2000064393A1|
|Publication number||10987171, 987171, US 8152752 B2, US 8152752B2, US-B2-8152752, US8152752 B2, US8152752B2|
|Inventors||Mary G. Lynch, Reay H. Brown|
|Original Assignee||Glaukos Corporation|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (114), Non-Patent Citations (54), Classifications (29), Legal Events (3) |
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
Shunt device and method for treating glaucoma
US 8152752 B2
Shunt devices and a method for continuously decompressing elevated intraocular pressure in eyes affected by glaucoma by diverting excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal where post-operative patency can be maintained with an indwelling shunt device which surgically connects the canal with the anterior chamber. The shunt devices provide uni- or bi-directional flow of aqueous humor into Schlemm's canal.
What is claimed is:
1. An implant of biocompatible material for treating glaucoma by conducting fluid to Schlemm's canal, comprising:
a body comprising a first section and a second section that are sized and configured to separate inner and outer walls of Schlemm's canal while exposing the outer wall to fluid flow;
the first section including a portion that is sized and configured to contact the inner wall of Schlemm's canal, the second section having a portion that is sized and configured to contact the outer wall of Schlemm's canal, the second section extending from the first section with a length sufficient to separate the inner and outer walls of Schlemm's canal, said length being no more than about 0.5 mm;
said body having a flow passage that extends, upon implantation of the body within an eye, from an inlet that is sized and configured to be positioned in an anterior chamber of the eye to an outlet that is sized and configured to be positioned in Schlemm's canal, the outlet being spaced from the outer wall by at least a portion of the second section.
2. The implant of claim 1, wherein the outlet is orientated on the body such that fluid flows from the anterior chamber into Schlemm's canal and toward the exposed outer wall upon implantation of the implant within the eye.
3. The implant of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a terminal aspect angulated to face away from an iris of the eye.
4. The implant of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the implant comprises a solid material.
5. The implant of claim 4, wherein the body is comprised of flexible material.
6. The implant of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the implant comprises a mesh material.
7. The implant of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the implant is fenestrated.
8. The implant of claim 1, wherein the implant has a generally T shape.
9. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section are integrally formed.
10. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section are formed as a unitary piece.
11. The implant of claim 1, wherein there is a smooth transition between the first section and the second section.
12. The implant of claim 1, wherein there is a continuous junction between the first section and the second section.
13. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section form at least a portion of a structure that has a generally arcuate cross-section.
14. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section form at least a portion of a structure with a generally circular cross-section.
15. The implant of claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section form at least a portion of a trough-like channel.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/445,411, filed May 27, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,699 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/242,385, filed Sep. 12, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,858 which is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 09/558,505, filed Apr. 26, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,984, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/131,030, filed Apr. 26, 1999.
The U.S. Government has reserved a nonexclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license in the invention with power to grant licenses for all governmental purposes.
The present invention is generally directed to a surgical treatment for glaucoma, and relates more particularly to a device and method for continuously decompressing elevated intraocular pressure in eyes affected by glaucoma by diverting aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal where post-operative patency can be maintained with an indwelling shunt which can be surgically placed to connect the canal with the anterior chamber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Glaucoma is a significant public health problem, because glaucoma is a major cause of blindness. The blindness that results from glaucoma involves both central and peripheral vision and has a major impact on an individual's ability to lead an independent life.
Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy (a disorder of the optic nerve) that usually occurs in the setting of an elevated intraocular pressure. The pressure within the eye increases and this is associated with changes in the appearance (“cupping”) and function (“blind spots” in the visual field) of the optic nerve. If the pressure remains high enough for a long enough period of time, total vision loss occurs. High pressure develops in an eye because of an internal fluid imbalance.
The eye is a hollow structure that contains a clear fluid called “aqueous humor.” Aqueous humor is formed in the posterior chamber of the eye by the ciliary body at a rate of about 2.5 microliters per minute. The fluid, which is made at a fairly constant rate, then passes around the lens, through the pupillary opening in the iris and into the anterior chamber of the eye. Once in the anterior chamber, the fluid drains out of the eye through two different routes. In the “uveoscleral” route, the fluid percolates between muscle fibers of the ciliary body. This route accounts for approximately ten percent of the aqueous outflow in humans. The primary pathway for aqueous outflow in humans is through the “canalicular” route that involves the trabecular meshwork and Schlemrnm's canal.
The trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal are located at the junction between the iris and the sclera. This junction or corner is called “the angle.” The trabecular meshwork is a wedge-shaped structure that runs around the circumference of the eye. It is composed of collagen beams arranged in a three-dimensional sieve-like structure. The beams are lined with a monolayer of cells called trabecular cells. The spaces between the collagen beams are filled with an extracellular substance that is produced by the trabecular cells. These cells also produce enzymes that degrade the extracellular material. Schlemm's canal is adjacent to the trabecular meshwork. The outer wall of the trabecular meshwork coincides with the inner wall of Schlemm's canal. Schlemm's canal is a tube-like structure that runs around the circumference of the cornea. In human adults, Schlemm's Canal is believed to be divided by septa into a series of autonomous, dead-end canals.
The aqueous fluid travels through the spaces between the trabecular beams, across the inner wall of Schlemm's canal into the canal, through a series of about 25 collecting channels that drain from Schlernm's canal and into the episcleral venous system. In a normal situation, aqueous production is equal to aqueous outflow and intraocular pressure remains fairly constant in the 15 to 21 mmHg range. In glaucoma, the resistance through the canalicular outflow system is abnormally high.
In primary open angle glaucoma, which is the most common form of glaucoma, the abnormal resistance is believed to be along the outer aspect of trabecular meshwork and the inner wall of Schlemm's canal. It is believed that an abnormal metabolism of the trabecular cells leads to an excessive build up of extracellular materials or a build up of abnormally “stiff” materials in this area. Primary open angle glaucoma accounts for approximately eighty-five percent of all glaucoma. Other forms of glaucoma (such as angle closure glaucoma and secondary glaucomas) also involve decreased outflow through the canalicular pathway but the increased resistance is from other causes such as mechanical blockage, inflammatory debris, cellular blockage, etc.
With the increased resistance, the aqueous fluid builds up because it cannot exit fast enough. As the fluid builds up, the intraocular pressure (IOP) within the eye increases. The increased IOP compresses the axons in the optic nerve and also may compromise the vascular supply to the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries vision from the eye to the brain. Some optic nerves seem more susceptible to IOP than other eyes. While research is investigating ways to protect the nerve from an elevated pressure, the only therapeutic approach currently available in glaucoma is to reduce the intraocular pressure.
The clinical treatment of glaucoma is approached in a step-wise fashion. Medication often is the first treatment option. Administered either topically or orally, these medications work to either reduce aqueous production or they act to increase outflow. Currently available medications have many serious side effects including: congestive heart failure, respiratory distress, hypertension, depression, renal stones, aplastic anemia, sexual dysfunction and death. Compliance with medication is a major problem, with estimates that over half of glaucoma patients do not follow their correct dosing schedules.
When medication fails to adequately reduce the pressure, laser trabeculoplasty often is performed. In laser trabeculoplasty, thermal energy from a laser is applied to a number of noncontiguous spots in the trabecular meshwork. It is believed that the laser energy stimulates the metabolism of the trabecular cells in some way, and changes the extracellular material in the trabecular meshwork. In approximately eighty percent of patients, aqueous outflow is enhanced and IOP decreases. However, the effect often is not long lasting and fifty percent of patients develop an elevated pressure within five years. The laser surgery is not usually repeatable. In addition, laser trabeculoplasty is not an effective treatment for primary open angle glaucoma in patients less than fifty years of age, nor is it effective for angle closure glaucoma and many-secondary glaucomas.
If laser trabeculoplasty does not reduce the pressure enough, then filtering surgery is performed. With filtering surgery, a hole is made in the sclera and angle region. This hole allows the aqueous fluid to leave the eye through an alternate route.
The most commonly performed filtering procedure is a trabeculectomy. In a trabeculectomy, a posterior incision is made in the conjunctiva, the transparent tissue that covers the sclera. The conjunctiva is rolled forward, exposing the sclera at the limbus. A partial thickness scleral flap is made and dissected half-thickness into the cornea. The anterior chamber is entered beneath the scleral flap and a section of deep sclera and trabecular meshwork is excised. The scleral flap is loosely sewn back into place. The conjunctival incision is tightly closed. Post-operatively, the aqueous fluid passes through the hole, beneath the scleral flap and collects in an elevated space beneath the conjunctiva. The fluid then is either absorbed through blood vessels in the conjunctiva or traverses across the conjunctiva into the tear film.
Trabeculectomy is associated with many problems. Fibroblasts that are present in the episclera proliferate and migrate and can scar down the scleral flap. Failure from scarring may occur, particularly in children and young adults. Of eyes that have an initially successful trabeculectomy, eighty percent will fail from scarring within three to five years after surgery. To minimize fibrosis, surgeons now are applying antifibrotic agents such as mitomycin C (MMC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to the scleral flap at the time of surgery. The use of these agents has increased the success rate of trabeculectomy but also has increased the prevalence of hypotony. Hypotony is a problem that develops when aqueous flows out of the eye too fast. The eye pressure drops too low (usually less than 6.0 mmHg); the structure of the eye collapses and vision decreases.
Trabeculectomy creates a pathway for aqueous fluid to escape to the surface of the eye. At the same time, it creates a pathway for bacteria that normally live on the surface of the eye and eyelids to get into the eye. If this happens, an internal eye infection can occur called endophthalmitis. Endophthalmitis often leads to permanent and profound visual loss. Endophthalmitis can occur anytime after trabeculectomy. The risk increases with the thin blebs that develop after MMC and 5-FU. Another factor that contributes to infection is the placement of a bleb. Eyes that have trabeculectomy performed inferiorly have about five times the risk of eye infection than eyes that have a superior bleb. Therefore, initial trabeculectomy is performed superiorly under the eyelid, in either the nasal or temporal quadrant.
In addition to scarring, hypotony and infection, there are other complications of trabeculectomy. The bleb can tear and lead to profound hypotony. The bleb can be irritating and can disrupt the normal tear film, leading to blurred vision. Patients with blebs generally cannot wear contact lenses. All of the complications from trabeculectomy stem from the fact that fluid is being diverted from inside the eye to the external surface of the eye.
When trabeculectomy doesn't successfully lower the eye pressure, the next surgical step often is an aqueous shunt device. An aqueous diversion device of the prior art is a silicone tube that is attached at One end to a plastic (polypropylene or other synthetic) plate. With an aqueous shunt device, an incision is made in the conjunctiva, exposing the sclera. The plastic plate is sewn to the surface of the eye posteriorly, usually over the equator. A full thickness hole is made into the eye at the limbus, usually with a needle. The tube is inserted into the eye through this hole. The external portion of the tube is covered with either donor sclera or pericardium. The conjunctiva is replaced and the incision is closed tightly.
With prior art aqueous diversion devices, aqueous drains out of the eye through the silicone tube to the surface of the eye. Deeper orbital tissues then absorb the fluid. The outside end of the tube is protected from fibroblasts and scarring by the plastic plate. Many complications are associated with aqueous shunt devices. A thickened wall of scar tissue that develops around the plastic plate offers some resistance to outflow and in many eyes limits the reduction in eye pressure. In some eyes, hypotony develops because the flow through the tube is not restricted. Many physicians tie an absorbable suture around the tube and wait for the suture to dissolve post-operatively at which time enough scar tissue has hopefully formed around the plate. Some devices contain a pressure-sensitive valve within the tube, although these valves may not function properly. The surgery involves operating in the posterior orbit and many patients develop an eye muscle imbalance and double vision post-operatively. With prior art aqueous shunt devices, a pathway is created for bacteria to get into the eye and endophthalmitis can potentially occur.
The prior art includes a number of such aqueous shunt devices, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,825 (providing a tubular shunt from the anterior chamber to the corneal surface for the treatment of glaucoma), U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,901 (directed to a transscleral shunt from the anterior chamber to the subconjunctival space), U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,362 (teaching a helical steel implant that is placed to provide drainage from the anterior chamber to the subconjunctival space), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,701 (generally teaching shunting from the anterior chamber to the scleral or conjunctival spaces).
In addition to the prior art aqueous shunt devices described above, other prior art devices for glaucoma surgery have used setons, or other porous, wick-like components to divert and convey excess aqueous from the anterior chamber to the exterior ocular surface. Examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,634,418 and 4,787,885 (teaching the surgical treatment of glaucoma using an implant that consists of a triangular seton (wick)), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,436, (teaching the use of a porous device to shunt anterior chamber to subscleral space). These patents do not teach placement in Schlemm's canal.
Some prior art references for glaucoma management have been directed at Schlemm's canal, but these have not involved the placement of long-term, indwelling shunts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,399 teaches the temporary placement of a plastic or steel tube with preformed curvature in Schlemm's canal with injection of a viscous material through the tube to hydraulically expand and hydrodissect the trabecular meshwork. The tube is removed from the canal following injection. Because the tube is directed outwardly from the eye for injection access, the intersection of the outflow element with the preformed curved element within Schlemm's canal is at about a 90 degree angle relative to the plane of the curvature, and 180 degrees away from the anterior chamber. Therefore, at no time does any portion of the '399 device communicate with the anterior chamber. Furthermore, relative to that portion within Schlemm's canal, this tube has a larger diameter injection cuff element, which serves as an adapter for irrigation. Therefore, this device is not adapted for shunting aqueous between the anterior chamber and Schlemm's canal.
Most of the problems that have developed with current glaucoma treatment devices and procedures have occurred because aqueous fluid is drained from inside of the eye to the surface of the eye. A need exists, then, for a more physiologic system to enhance the drainage of aqueous fluid from the anterior chamber into Schlemm's canal. In the vast majority of glaucoma patients, the resistance problem lies between Schlemm's canal and the anterior chamber. The canal itself, the collecting channels and the episcleral venous system all are intact. Enhancing aqueous flow directly into Schlemm's canal would minimize the scarring that usually occurs with external filtration procedure since the internal angle region is populated with a single line of nonproliferating trabecular cells. Enhancing aqueous flow directly into Schlemm's canal would minimize hypotony since the canal is part of the normal outflow system and is biologically engineered to handle the normal volume of aqueous humor. Enhancing aqueous flow directly into Schlemm's canal would eliminate complications such as endophthalmitis and leaks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a novel shunt and an associated surgical method for the treatment of glaucoma in which the shunt is placed to divert aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal. The present invention therefore facilitates the normal physiologic pathway for drainage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber, rather than shunting to the sclera or another anatomic site as is done in most prior art shunt devices. The present invention is further directed to providing a permanent, indwelling shunt to provide increased egress of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to Schlernm's canal for glaucoma management.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is an illustration showing an overhead perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, in which the inventive shunt is comprised of tubular elements extending bi-directionally within Schlemm's canal.
FIG. 1B is an overhead view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A, with phantom lines detailing the internal communication between the lumens of the tubular elements comprising the inventive device.
FIG. 1C is an illustration showing an overhead perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, in which the inventive shunt is comprised of mesh tubular elements extending bi-directionally within Schlemm's canal.
FIG. 1D is an illustration showing an overhead perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, in which the inventive shunt is comprised of solid, porous elements extending bi-directionally within Schlemm's canal.
FIG. 1E is an overhead perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, with phantom lines detailing the internal communication between the two proximal lumens and the single distal lumen of the inventive device.
FIG. 2 is an illustration showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which the inventive shunt is comprised of perforated tubular elements and with an angulated terminal aspect of the proximal portion.
FIG. 3A is an illustration showing a perspective of another embodiment of the present invention in which the inventive shunt is comprised of elements that are partially tubular and partially open in their configuration.
FIG. 3B is an illustration showing a top view of the embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 3A, with phantom lines detailing the internal communication of the device.
FIG. 3C is an illustration showing a side view from the proximal end of the embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 3D is an illustration showing a perspective of another embodiment of the present invention in which the inventive shunt is comprised of elements that are partially open and trough-like in their configuration.
FIG. 4 is an illustration showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which the inventive shunt is comprised of distal elements having wicking extensions at their terminal ends, and in which the proximal portion has a sealed, blunted tip with a portal continuous with the lumen of the proximal portion, oriented to face away from the iris when the device is implanted in Schlemm's canal.
FIG. 5A is an illustration showing another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which a portion of the device enters Schiemm's canal in only one direction and shunts fluid in a non-linear path from the anterior chamber.
FIG. 5B is an illustration showing an alternative embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the entire shunt is placed within Schlemm's canal but contains a fenestration to maintain fluid egress of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to Schlemm's canal.
FIG. 5C is an illustration showing a side view of one embodiment of the present invention, in which the inventive shunt is comprised of tubular elements, with a proximal portion extending towards the anterior chamber that is shorter relative to the distal portions which extend bi-directionally within Schlemm's canal.
FIG. 5D is an illustration showing an alternative embodiment of the inventive shunt comprised of a partially open trough-like element which is placed within Schlenim's canal but contains a portal to maintain fluid egress of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to Schlemm's canal.
FIG. 5E is an illustration showing an alternative embodiment of the inventive shunt comprised of a solid, but porous wick-like element which is placed within Schlemm's canal
FIG. 6A is an illustration showing certain anatomic details of the human eye.
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional illustration showing the anatomic relationships of the surgical placement of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional illustration showing the anatomic relationships of the surgical placement of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in which the proximal portion has an angulated terminal aspect with a sealed, blunted tip with a portal continuous with the lumen of the proximal portion, oriented to face away from the iris when the device is implanted in Schlemm's canal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides an aqueous humor shunt device to divert aqueous humor in the eye from the anterior chamber into Schlemm's canal, in which the shunt device comprises a distal portion having at least one terminal aspect sized and shaped to be circumferentially received within a portion of Schlemm's canal, and a proximal portion having at least one terminal aspect sized and shaped to be received within the anterior chamber of the eye, wherein the device permits fluid communication between the proximal portion in the anterior chamber to the distal portion in Schlemm's canal. Fluid communication can be facilitated by an aqueous humor directing channel in either the proximal or distal portions, as described below. Fluid communication can also be facilitated by a wicking function of a solid proximal or distal portions of the device, for example.
The present invention also provides embodiments of an inventive shunt comprising a body of biocompatible material of a size and shape adapted to be at least partially circumferentially received within a portion of Schlemm's canal to divert aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the human eye to and within Schlemm's canal, and wherein the body facilitates the passage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber into Schlemm's canal. This embodiment of the device of the present invention can be produced without the proximal portion of the previous embodiment extending into the anterior chamber. An aqueous humor directing channel can facilitate the passage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber into Schlemm's canal. Fluid communication can also be facilitated by a wicking function of a solid body portion, for example.
The invention contemplates many different configurations for an aqueous humor directing channel, provided that each assists in channeling aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to Schlemm's canal, such as by providing a lumen, trough, wick or capillary action. For example, the aqueous humor directing channel can be a fully enclosed lumen, a partially enclosed lumen, or a trough-like channel that is at least partially open. The invention contemplates that a solid monofilament or braided polymer, such as proline, can be inserted into Schlemm's canal to provide a wicking function to facilitate the passage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to Schlemm's canal. Such a wicking extension can also be grooved or fluted along any portion of the length thereof, so as to be multi-angular or star-shaped in cross-section. The devices of the present invention can be constructed of a solid, matrix, mesh, fenestrated, or porous material, or combinations thereof.
Traditional glaucoma teaching states that Schlemm's canal in an adult is divided by septa into separate canals, rendering the complete passage of a suture impossible. Preliminary studies on adult human eye bank eyes have shown that Schlemm's canal is, indeed, patent. A suture can be passed through the entire circumference of the canal. It has not been heretofore determined that Schlemm's canal is patent throughout its circumference in normal adult individuals, as opposed to being divided by septae into multiple dead end canals. The invention utilizes this knowledge to access Schlemm's canal and to create and maintain the natural physiologic egress of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to Schlemm's canal and to the collecting channels.
The present invention also provides methods of use of the shunt devices. One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a surgical method to divert aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal with a device that is implanted to extend from within the anterior chamber to Schlernim's canal. The portion of the device extending into Schlemm's canal can be fashioned from a flexible material capable of being received within a portion of the radius, curvature, and diameter of Schlemm's canal. All or parts of the device may be solid, porous, tubular, trough-like, fenestrated, or pre-curved.
One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1A, in which the shunt device 100 is shown in a side view. The shunt device 100 of this embodiment is comprised of two portions, a proximal portion 10 which joins a distal portion 25. The proximal portion 10 and distal portion 25 shown create an enclosed tubular channeling structure. The total length of the distal portion 25 may be between about 1 and 40 mm, preferably about 6 mm. The same embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with phantom lines showing the internal fluid communication path in FIG. 1B. The lumen or channeling space defined by the walls of the proximal portion 10 and the distal portion(s) 25 are continuous at their junction at the distal portion portal 20.
An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1C, in which the shunt device 100 is comprised of two luminal mesh elements, with a proximal portion 10 which joins a distal portion 25. Yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1D, in which the shunt device 100 is comprised of two solid, porous elements which may provide wick-like fluid communication therethrough, with a proximal portion 10 which joins a distal portion 25.
An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1E, in which the shunt device 100 is comprised of a proximal portion 10 having two lumens therein terminating in proximal portion portals 18. The distal portion 25 shaped and sized to be received within Schlemm's canal extends in either direction having separate lumens traversing therethrough from each of the distal portion portals 20.
Other examples of embodiments of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 2-5D. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the device 100 is tubular and fenestrated (15, 30) in its configuration, with an acute (<90) angle of junction between the proximal portion 10 and the plane defined by the distal portion 25. Such fenestrations (15, 30) may be placed along any portion of the device 100 to facilitate the passage of fluid therethrough, but are particularly directed towards the collecting channels of the eye. FIG. 2 further shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which the terminal aspect 16 of the proximal portion is angulated toward the iris 40 with respect to the main axis of the proximal portion 10, with the portal 18 of the proximal portion directed toward the iris 40. In alternate embodiments as shown in FIG. 6C, the portal 18 of the proximal portion 16 is directed away from the iris 40.
FIG. 3A shows an embodiment of the inventive shunt in which a portion of the channeling device is enclosed and tubular in configuration at the junction of the proximal portion 10 and the distal portion 25, but where the distal portion 10 is a trough-like channel. The distal portion portal 20 is also shown. The invention contemplates that any portion of the device 100 can be semi-tubular, open and trough-like, or a wick-like extension. Tubular channels can be round, ovoid, or any other enclosed geometry. Preferably the non-tubular trough-like aspects are oriented posteriorly on the outer wall of the canal to facilitate aqueous humor drainage to the collecting channels of the eye, as shown in FIG. 3A.
FIG. 3B shows an overhead view of the embodiment of the inventive shunt of FIG. 3A, further detailing the relationship among the proximal portion 10 and the distal portion 25. The aqueous humor directing channel is shown in dashed lines. FIG. 3C shows a proximal view of the embodiment of the inventive shunt of FIG. 3A, further detailing the relationship among the proximal portion 10 and the distal portion 25.
FIG. 3D shows another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the structure of the device 100 comprises an aqueous humor directing channel that is both open and curved in a continuous trough-like configuration along the proximal portion 10 and the distal portion 25. The distal portion portal 20 is also an open trough-like channel.
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the inventive shunt with the addition of aqueous humor-wicking extensions 32 which are either continuous with, or attached to the terminal aspects of the distal portion 25. The wicking extensions 32 can be fashioned from a monofilament or braided polymer, such as proline, and preferably have a length of 1.0 mm to 16.0 mm. Furthermore, the proximal portion 10 is curved with a sealed, blunted tip 16 and contains a portal 18 in fluid communication with the lumen of the proximal portion and oriented to face away from the iris when the shunt device 100 is implanted in its intended anatomic position. The shunt device 100 can also help to maintain the patency of Schlemm's canal in a stenting fashion.
FIG. 5A shows another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the proximal portion 10 joins a single, curved distal portion 25 in a “V-shaped,” tubular configuration. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5A can also have a portal (not shown) in the distal portion 25 adjacent to the junction with the proximal portion 10 in order to facilitate bi-directional flow of fluid within the canal. Fenestrations and non-tubular, trough-like terminal openings are contemplated in all embodiments of the invention, and these fenestrations and openings may be round, ovoid, or other shapes as needed for optimum aqueous humor channeling function within the anatomic spaces involved.
FIG. 5B shows another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the body or device 100 comprises only a single, curved distal portion 25 which contains a distal portion portal 20 oriented towards the anterior chamber to allow egress of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to Schlemmm's canal. The body of this device can have a length of about 1.0 mm to 40 mm, preferably about 6 mm. The external diameter can be about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, or about 0.3 mm.
FIG. 5C shows another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the device 100 comprises a bi-directional tubular distal portion 25 which is intersected by a proximal portion 10 which is short in length relative to the distal portion 25 and is directed towards the anterior chamber.
FIG. 5D shows still another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the device 100 comprises a bi-directional, trough-like, curved distal portion 25 for insertion into Schlemm's canal, which contains a distal portion portal 20 oriented to allow egress of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber wherein the trough-like distal portion 25 is oriented to open toward the collecting channels to facilitate the egress of aqueous humor.
FIG. 5E shows another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the device 100 comprises a bi-directional, solid distal portion 25 for insertion into Schlernm's canal to facilitate the egress of aqueous humor from the canal to the collecting channels in a wicking capacity. The solid distal portion 25 can be porous or non-porous.
As the inventive device is an implant, it can be fabricated from a material that will be compatible with the tissues and fluids with which it is in contact. It is preferable that the device not be absorbed, corroded, or otherwise structurally compromised during its in situ tenure. Moreover, it is equally important that the eye tissues and the aqueous remain non-detrimentally affected by the presence of the implanted device. A number of materials are available to meet the engineering and medical specifications for the shunts. In the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the shunt device 100 is constructed of a biologically inert, flexible material such as silicone or similar polymers. Alternate materials might include, but are not limited to, thin-walled Teflon, polypropylene, other polymers or plastics, metals, or some combination of these materials. The shunt device 100 may be constructed as either porous or solid in alternate embodiments. The material can contain a therapeutic agent deliverable to the adjacent tissues.
In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4, the proximal portion 10 joins the distal portion(s) 25 at an angle sufficient to allow the placement of the proximal portion 15 within the anterior chamber of the eye when the distal portion 25 is oriented in the plane of Schlemm's canal. The proximal portion 10 is preferably of sufficient length, about 0.1 to 3.0 mm or about 2.0 mm, to extend from its junction with the distal portion 25 in Schlemm's canal towards the adjacent space of the anterior chamber. While many geometries can be used for channeling aqueous humor, the diameter or width of the proximal portion 10 can be sized to yield an internal diameter of between about 0.1 and 0.5 mm, preferably 0.20 mm, for a tubular or curved shunt, or a comparable maximal width for a shunt with a multiangular configuration. In other embodiments, the proximal portion is a non-luminal, non-trough-like wicking extension that provides an aqueous humor directing channel along the length thereof.
Because the nature of the iris 40 is such that it tends to comprise a plurality of rather flaccid fimbriae of tissue, it is desirable to avoid said fimbriae from being drawn into the lumen of an implant, thus occluding the shunt device. Therefore, the proximal portion 10 may contain a plurality of fenestrations to allow fluid ingress, arranged to prevent occlusion by the adjacent iris. Alternately, the proximal portion 10 may comprise only a proximal portion portal 18 in the form of a fenestration oriented anteriorly to provide continuous fluid egress between the anterior chamber of the eye and the directing channel of the shunt. Said fenestrations may be any functional size, and circular or non-circular in various embodiments of the present invention. In addition, a porous structural material can assist in channeling aqueous humor, while minimizing the potential for intake of fimbriae.
Furthermore, the proximal portion 10 may be positioned sufficiently remote from the iris 40 to prevent interference therewith, such as by traversing a more anterior aspect of the trabecular meshwork into the peripheral corneal tissue. In yet another possible embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6C, the device 100 may comprise a proximal portion 10 in which the terminal aspect of said proximal portion 10 is curved or angled toward the iris 40, and with a blunted, sealed ip 16 and a portal 18 oriented anteriorly to face away from the underlying iris 40. Such a configuration would tend to decrease the possibility of occlusion of the shunt device by the iris 40.
The device 100 may contain one or more unidirectional valves to prevent backflow into the anterior chamber from Schlemm's canal. The internal lumen for an enclosed portion of the device or the internal channel defined by the edges of an open portion of the device communicates directly with the inner lumen or channel of the distal portion at the proximal portion portal 20.
The distal portion 25 may have a pre-formed curve to approximate the 6.0 mm radius of Schlemm's canal in a human eye. Such a pre-formed curvature is not required when flexible material is used to construct the shunt device 100. The distal portion 25 may be of sufficient length to extend from the junction with the proximal portion 10 through any length of the entire circumference of Schlemm's canal. Embodiments having a distal portion 25 that extends in either direction within Schlemm's canal can extend in each direction about 1.0 mm to 20 mm, or about 3.0 mm, to permit circumferential placement through Schlemm's canal. The diameter of width of the distal portion 25 can be sized to yield an outer diameter of between about 0.1 and 0.5 mm, or about 0.3 mm, for a tubular or curved shunt, or a comparable maximal width for a shunt with a multiangular configuration. The distal portion 25 may contain a plurality of fenestrations to allow fluid egress, arranged to prevent occlusion by the adjacent walls of Schlemm's canal. In other embodiments, the distal portion is a non-luminal, non-trough-like wicking extension that provides an aqueous humor directing channel along the length thereof.
In the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the shunt device may be either bi-directional, with the distal portion of the implant intersecting with the proximal portion in a “T-shaped” junction as shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, 2, 3A-3D, 4 and 5C, or unidirectional, with a “V-shaped” junction of the proximal and distal shunt portions, as shown in FIG. 5A. A bi-directional shunt device can have a distal portion that is threaded into opposing directions within Schlemm's canal. In the case of the unidirectional shunt, only the distal shunt portion is plated within Schlemm's canal. In these exemplary embodiments, “non-linear fluid communication” means that at least some portion of the shunt through which fluid passes is not in a straight line. Examples of non-linear shunts are the above described bi-directional “T” shapes, and the unidirectional “V” shapes, or shunts having two channel openings which are not in straight alignment with each other.
The surgical anatomy relevant to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6A. Generally, FIG. 6A shows the anterior chamber 35, Schlemm's canal 30, the iris 40, cornea 45, trabecular meshwork 50, collecting channels 55, episcleral veins 60, pupil 65, and lens 70. FIG. 6B illustrates the surgical placement of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the relevant anatomic relationships. It should be noted that the inventive device is designed so that placement of the distal portion 25 within Schlemm's canal 30 results in an orientation of the proximal portion 10 within the anterior chamber 35 within the angle defined by the iris 40 and the inner surface of the cornea 45. Therefore, if the plane defined by Schlemm's canal is defined as zero degrees, the proximal portion 10 can extend therefrom at an angle of between about +60 degrees towards the cornea 45 or −30 degrees toward the iris 40, more preferably in the range of 0 to +45 degrees. This range may vary in individuals having a slightly different location of Schlernm's canal 30 relative to the limbal angle of the anterior chamber 35.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention not shown, the shunt device 100 is configured with one distal portion 25 which is tubular to provide a shunting functionality and a plurality of proximal portions 10 which provide an anchoring function to stabilize the overall implant device, in addition to providing fluid communication from the anterior chamber to Schlemm's Canal.
The surgical procedure necessary to insert the device requires an approach through a conjunctival flap. A partial thickness scleral flap is then created and dissected half-thickness into clear cornea. The posterior aspect of Schlemm's canal is identified and the canal is entered posteriorly. The anterior chamber may be deepened with injection of a viscoelastic and a miotic agent. The proximal portion of the shunt is then inserted through the inner wall of Schlemm's canal and trabecular meshwork into the anterior chamber within the angle between the iris and the cornea. In some cases, as incision may be needed from Schlemm's canal through the trabecular meshwork into the anterior chamber to facilitate passage of the proximal portion therethrough. One arm of the distal portion of the shunt device is grasped and threaded into Schlemm's canal. In a similar fashion, the other arm of the distal portion of the shunt device (when present) is inserted into Schlemm's canal in the opposing direction from the first. The scleral flap and conjunctival wound are closed in a conventional manner.
While the above-described embodiments are exemplary, the invention contemplates a wide variety of shapes and configurations of the shunt to provide fluid communication between the anterior chamber and Schlemm's canal. The above-described embodiments are therefore not intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims and equivalents thereof.
|Cited Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US2127903 *||May 5, 1936||Aug 23, 1938||Davis & Geck Inc||Tube for surgical purposes and method of preparing and using the same|
|US3159161||Nov 14, 1962||Dec 1, 1964||Alton Ness Richard||Fistulizing canaliculus|
|US3788327||Mar 30, 1971||Jan 29, 1974||Donowitz H||Surgical implant device|
|US4037604||Jan 5, 1976||Jul 26, 1977||Newkirk John B||Artifical biological drainage device|
|US4113088||Jun 6, 1977||Sep 12, 1978||Binkhorst Richard D||Sterile package|
|US4168697||Dec 21, 1977||Sep 25, 1979||Cantekin Erdem I||Middle ear ventilating tube and method|
|US4175563||Oct 5, 1977||Nov 27, 1979||Arenberg Irving K||Biological drainage shunt|
|US4402681||Sep 10, 1981||Sep 6, 1983||Haas Joseph S||Artificial implant valve for the regulation of intraocular pressure|
|US4428746||Jul 29, 1981||Jan 31, 1984||Antonio Mendez||For surgical implant in an eye|
|US4457757||Jul 20, 1981||Jul 3, 1984||Molteno Anthony C B||Device for draining aqueous humour|
|US4501274||Mar 12, 1982||Feb 26, 1985||Finn Skjaerpe||Microsurgical instrument|
|US4521210||Dec 27, 1982||Jun 4, 1985||Wong Vernon G||Eye implant for relieving glaucoma, and device and method for use therewith|
|US4554918||Jul 28, 1982||Nov 26, 1985||White Thomas C||Ocular pressure relief device|
|US4583224||Nov 7, 1983||Apr 15, 1986||Hitachi, Ltd.||Fault tolerable redundancy control|
|US4604087||Jun 21, 1985||Aug 5, 1986||Joseph Neil H||Aqueous humor drainage device|
|US4632842||Jun 20, 1985||Dec 30, 1986||Atrium Medical Corporation||Glow discharge process for producing implantable devices|
|US4634418||Apr 6, 1984||Jan 6, 1987||Binder Perry S||Treating uncontrolled glaucoma; a conduit for fluid migration; surgical implant|
|US4718907||Jun 20, 1985||Jan 12, 1988||Atrium Medical Corporation||Polytetrafluoroethylene coated polyethylene terephthalate|
|US4722724||Jun 23, 1986||Feb 2, 1988||Stanley Schocket||Anterior chamber tube shunt to an encircling band, and related surgical procedure|
|US4733665||Nov 7, 1985||Mar 29, 1988||Expandable Grafts Partnership||Expandable intraluminal graft, and method and apparatus for implanting an expandable intraluminal graft|
|US4750901||Mar 5, 1987||Jun 14, 1988||Molteno Anthony C B||Implant for drainage of aqueous humour|
|US4787885||Mar 6, 1987||Nov 29, 1988||Binder Perry S||Hydrogel seton|
|US4804382||May 19, 1987||Feb 14, 1989||Sulzer Brothers Limited||Artificial vessel|
|US4820626||Jun 6, 1985||Apr 11, 1989||Thomas Jefferson University||Method of treating a synthetic or naturally occuring surface with microvascular endothelial cells, and the treated surface itself|
|US4846172||May 26, 1987||Jul 11, 1989||Berlin Michael S||Laser-delivery eye-treatment method|
|US4846793||Mar 18, 1987||Jul 11, 1989||Endocon, Inc.||Injector for implanting multiple pellet medicaments|
|US4853224||Dec 22, 1987||Aug 1, 1989||Visionex||Biodegradable ocular implants|
|US4863457||Apr 22, 1988||Sep 5, 1989||Lee David A||Drug delivery device|
|US4883864||Oct 28, 1988||Nov 28, 1989||Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company||Modified collagen compound and method of preparation|
|US4886488||Aug 4, 1988||Dec 12, 1989||White Thomas C||Glaucoma drainage the lacrimal system and method|
|US4900300||Feb 24, 1989||Feb 13, 1990||Lee David A||Surgical instrument|
|US4936825||Apr 11, 1988||Jun 26, 1990||Ungerleider Bruce A||Method for reducing intraocular pressure caused by glaucoma|
|US4946436||Nov 17, 1989||Aug 7, 1990||Smith Stewart G||Pressure-relieving device and process for implanting|
|US4968296||Dec 20, 1989||Nov 6, 1990||Robert Ritch||Transscleral drainage implant device for the treatment of glaucoma|
|US4997652||May 31, 1989||Mar 5, 1991||Visionex||Drug delivery|
|US5005577||Aug 23, 1988||Apr 9, 1991||Frenkel Ronald E P||Intraocular lens pressure monitoring device|
|US5041081||May 18, 1990||Aug 20, 1991||Odrich Ronald B||Ocular implant for controlling glaucoma|
|US5073163||Jan 29, 1990||Dec 17, 1991||Lippman Myron E||Apparatus for treating glaucoma|
|US5092837||Aug 27, 1990||Mar 3, 1992||Robert Ritch||Method for the treatment of glaucoma|
|US5095887||Sep 10, 1990||Mar 17, 1992||Claude Leon||Microscope-endoscope assembly especially usable in surgery|
|US5127901||Jan 31, 1991||Jul 7, 1992||Odrich Ronald B||Implant with subconjunctival arch|
|US5129895||May 16, 1990||Jul 14, 1992||Sunrise Technologies, Inc.||Laser sclerostomy procedure|
|US5164188||Nov 22, 1989||Nov 17, 1992||Visionex, Inc.||Biodegradable ocular implants|
|US5171213||Aug 14, 1991||Dec 15, 1992||Price Jr Francis W||For relieving intraocular pressure from within the eye|
|US5178604||May 31, 1990||Jan 12, 1993||Iovision, Inc.||Glaucoma implant|
|US5180362||Apr 3, 1990||Jan 19, 1993||Worst J G F||Gonio seton|
|US5207685||Jul 28, 1992||May 4, 1993||Cinberg James Z||Tube for releasing fluid from the middle ear|
|US5246451||Apr 30, 1991||Sep 21, 1993||Medtronic, Inc.||Vascular prosthesis and method|
|US5290295||Jul 15, 1992||Mar 1, 1994||Querals & Fine, Inc.||Insertion tool for an intraluminal graft procedure|
|US5300020||Sep 30, 1992||Apr 5, 1994||Medflex Corporation||Surgically implantable device for glaucoma relief|
|US5318513||Sep 24, 1992||Jun 7, 1994||Leib Martin L||Canalicular balloon fixation stent|
|US5334137||Feb 21, 1992||Aug 2, 1994||Eagle Vision, Inc.||Lacrimal fluid control device|
|US5338291||Feb 3, 1993||Aug 16, 1994||Pudenz-Schulte Medical Research Corporation||Glaucoma shunt and method for draining aqueous humor|
|US5346464||Apr 14, 1993||Sep 13, 1994||Camras Carl B||Method and apparatus for reducing intraocular pressure|
|US5360399||Mar 30, 1992||Nov 1, 1994||Robert Stegmann||Method and apparatus for maintaining the normal intraocular pressure|
|US5370607||Oct 28, 1992||Dec 6, 1994||Annuit Coeptis, Inc.||Glaucoma implant device and method for implanting same|
|US5370641||May 22, 1992||Dec 6, 1994||O'donnell, Jr.; Francis E.||Laser trabeculodissection|
|US5372577||Feb 18, 1993||Dec 13, 1994||Ungerleider; Bruce A.||Apparatus for reducing intraocular pressure|
|US5397300||Apr 21, 1994||Mar 14, 1995||Iovision, Inc.||Glaucoma implant|
|US5433701||Dec 21, 1994||Jul 18, 1995||Rubinstein; Mark H.||Apparatus for reducing ocular pressure|
|US5443505||Nov 15, 1993||Aug 22, 1995||Oculex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.||Biocompatible ocular implants|
|US5454796||Mar 10, 1993||Oct 3, 1995||Hood Laboratories||Device and method for controlling intraocular fluid pressure|
|US5472440||Sep 28, 1994||Dec 5, 1995||Beckman; Hugh||Apparatus and method for surgically performing a filtering operation on an eye for glaucoma|
|US5476445||Aug 1, 1994||Dec 19, 1995||Iovision, Inc.||Glaucoma implant with a temporary flow restricting seal|
|US5486165||Jan 13, 1994||Jan 23, 1996||Stegmann; Robert||Method and appliance for maintaining the natural intraocular pressure|
|US5516522||Mar 14, 1994||May 14, 1996||Board Of Supervisors Of Louisiana State University||Biodegradable porous device for long-term drug delivery with constant rate release and method of making the same|
|US5520631||Jul 22, 1994||May 28, 1996||Wound Healing Of Oklahoma||Method and apparatus for lowering the intraocular pressure of an eye|
|US5557453||Nov 17, 1995||Sep 17, 1996||Leica Mikroskopie Und Systeme Gmbh||Microscope that displays superimposed data|
|US5558629||Jul 21, 1992||Sep 24, 1996||Iovision, Inc.||For draining fluid from an eye|
|US5558630||Dec 30, 1994||Sep 24, 1996||Fisher; Bret L.||Intrascleral implant and method for the regulation of intraocular pressure|
|US5558637||Sep 20, 1994||Sep 24, 1996||Leiras Oy||Implant injection device|
|US5562641||May 20, 1994||Oct 8, 1996||A Bromberg & Co. Ltd.||Two way shape memory alloy medical stent|
|US5601094||Nov 22, 1994||Feb 11, 1997||Reiss; George R.||Ophthalmic shunt|
|US5601549||Nov 2, 1995||Feb 11, 1997||Machida Endoscope Co., Ltd.||Medical observing instrument|
|US5626558||May 5, 1995||May 6, 1997||Suson; John||For draining aqueous humor from an eye|
|US5626559||May 1, 1995||May 6, 1997||Ramot University Authority For Applied Research And Industrial Development Ltd.||Ophthalmic device for draining excess intraocular fluid|
|US5639278||Nov 13, 1995||Jun 17, 1997||Corvita Corporation||Expandable supportive bifurcated endoluminal grafts|
|US5651783||Dec 20, 1995||Jul 29, 1997||Reynard; Michael||Fiber optic sleeve for surgical instruments|
|US5665114||Aug 12, 1994||Sep 9, 1997||Meadox Medicals, Inc.||Tubular expanded polytetrafluoroethylene implantable prostheses|
|US5670161||May 28, 1996||Sep 23, 1997||Healy; Kevin E.||Biodegradable stent|
|US5676679||Jun 13, 1996||Oct 14, 1997||University Of Miami||Apparatus for implanting an artifical meshwork in glaucoma surgery|
|US5681275||Jan 26, 1996||Oct 28, 1997||Ahmed; Abdul Mateen||Ophthalmological device with adaptable multiple distribution plates|
|US5681323||Jul 15, 1996||Oct 28, 1997||Arick; Daniel S.||Device for inserting an emergency airway|
|US5702414||Sep 5, 1996||Dec 30, 1997||Optonol Ltd||Method of implanting an intraocular implant|
|US5702419||Sep 21, 1994||Dec 30, 1997||Wake Forest University||Expandable, intraluminal stents|
|US5704907||Dec 11, 1995||Jan 6, 1998||Wound Healing Of Oklahoma||Cellulose membrane|
|US5713844||Jan 10, 1997||Feb 3, 1998||Peyman; Gholam A.||Device and method for regulating intraocular pressure|
|US5723005||Jun 7, 1995||Mar 3, 1998||Herrick Family Limited Partnership||Punctum plug having a collapsible flared section and method|
|US5741333||Apr 3, 1996||Apr 21, 1998||Corvita Corporation||Self-expanding stent for a medical device to be introduced into a cavity of a body|
|US5743868||Feb 14, 1994||Apr 28, 1998||Brown; Reay H.||Corneal pressure-regulating implant device|
|US5752928||Jul 14, 1997||May 19, 1998||Rdo Medical, Inc.||Glaucoma pressure regulator|
|US5766242||Mar 13, 1996||Jun 16, 1998||Oculex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.||Biocompatible ocular implants|
|US5766243||Jul 31, 1996||Jun 16, 1998||Oasis Medical, Inc.||Abrasive polished canalicular implant|
|US5785674||Dec 20, 1996||Jul 28, 1998||Mateen; Ahmed Abdul||Device and method for treating glaucoma|
|US5807302||Apr 1, 1996||Sep 15, 1998||Wandel; Thaddeus||Treatment of glaucoma|
|US5810870||Jun 7, 1995||Sep 22, 1998||W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.||Intraluminal stent graft|
|US5824072||Aug 14, 1996||Oct 20, 1998||Oculex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.||Biocompatible ocular implants|
|US5830139||Sep 4, 1996||Nov 3, 1998||Abreu; Marcio M.||Tonometer system for measuring intraocular pressure by applanation and/or indentation|
|US5830171||Aug 12, 1997||Nov 3, 1998||Odyssey Medical, Inc.||Punctal occluder|
|US6450984 *||Apr 26, 2000||Sep 17, 2002||Gmp Vision Solutions, Inc.||Shunt device and method for treating glaucoma|
|US6626858 *||Sep 12, 2002||Sep 30, 2003||Gmp Vision Solutions, Inc.||Shunt device and method for treating glaucoma|
|US6666841 *||May 2, 2001||Dec 23, 2003||Glaukos Corporation||Bifurcatable trabecular shunt for glaucoma treatment|
|US6736791 *||Nov 1, 2000||May 18, 2004||Glaukos Corporation||Glaucoma treatment device|
|US6827699 *||May 27, 2003||Dec 7, 2004||Gmp Vision Solutions, Inc.||Shunt device and method for treating glaucoma|
|US6827700 *||May 27, 2003||Dec 7, 2004||Gmp Vision Solutions, Inc.||Shunt device and method for treating glaucoma|
|US7220238 *||Jul 27, 2004||May 22, 2007||Gmp Vision Solutions, Inc.||Shunt device and method for treating glaucoma|
|US20020013546 *||Sep 17, 2001||Jan 31, 2002||Grieshaber & Co. Ag Schaffhausen||Method and device to improve aqueous humor drainage in an eye|
|US20030236483 *||Jun 25, 2002||Dec 25, 2003||Ren David H||Dual drainage ocular shunt for glaucoma|
|US20050090806 *||Nov 12, 2004||Apr 28, 2005||Gmp Vision Solutions Inc.||Shunt device and method for treating glaucoma|
|US20050119601 *||Aug 16, 2002||Jun 2, 2005||Lynch Mary G.||Shunt device and method for treating glaucoma|
|US20050125003 *||Dec 3, 2004||Jun 9, 2005||Leonard Pinchuk||Glaucoma implant device|
|US20070088432 *||Oct 23, 2006||Apr 19, 2007||Kenneth Solovay||Indwelling shunt device and methods for treating glaucoma|
|USRE35390||Feb 17, 1995||Dec 3, 1996||Smith; Stewart G.||Pressure relieving device and process for implanting|
|WO1998023237A1 *||Nov 28, 1997||Jun 4, 1998||Lions Eye Inst Australia Inc||Biological microfistula tube and implantation method and apparatus|
|1||Anselm Kampik and Franz Grehn, Nutzen und Risiken augenärztlicher Therapie, Hauptreferate der XXXIII. Essener Fortbildung für Augenarzte, Dec. 1998. (English translated version enclosed Benefits and Risks of Ophthalmological Therapy.).|
|2||Arthur L. Schwartz, MD, and Douglas R. Anderson, MD, Trabecular Surgery, Arch Ophthalmol, vol. 92, Aug. 1974, pp. 134-138.|
|3||Beck and Lynch, "360" Trabeculotomy for Primary Glaucoma, Arch. Ophthalmol. 113 (Sep. 1995), pp. 1200-1202.|
|4||Buskirk et al., "Lens Depression and Aqueous Outflow in Enucleated Primate Eyes;" American Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 76, No. 5, Nov. 1973, pp. 632-640.|
|5||Buskirk et al., "Trabeculotomy in the immature, enucleated human eye," Invest. Ophthalmol. Visual Sci., vol. 6, No. 1, Jan. 1977, pp. 63-66.|
|6||Cindy K. Bahler, BS, Gegrory T. Smedley, PhD, Jianbo Zhou, PhD, Douglas H. Johnson, MD., American Journal of Ophthalmology, Dec. 2004, vol. 138.|
|7||Daniel A. Fletcher, Ph.D., Daniel V. Palanker, Ph.D., Philip Hule, M.D., Jason Miller, MS, Michael F. Marmor, M.D. and Mark S. Blumenkranz, M.D.; Intravascular Drug Delivery With a Pulsed Liquid Microjet; (Reprinted) Arch Ophthalmology; vol. 120, Sep. 2002, pp. 1206-1208.|
|8||Demailly, P., et al., "Non-Penetrating Deep Sclerectomy Combined With a Collagen Implant in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. Medium-Term Retrospective Results", J. Fr. Ophthalmol., vol. 19, No. 11, 1996, pp. 659-666. (abstract only).|
|9||Detlev Spiegel, 7 Chirurgische Glaukomtherapie, pp. 79-88.|
|10||Detlev Spiegel, MD, Karin Kobuch, MD, Richard A. Hill, MD, Ronald L. Gross, MD, Schlemm's Canal Implant: A New Method to Lower Intraocular Pressure in Patients With POAG. Ophthalmic Surgery and Lasers, Jun. 1999, vol. 30, No. 6, pp. 492-494.|
|11||Edited by Kevin Strange, Cellular and Molecular Physiology of Cell Volume Regulation, Library of Congress Cataloging in-Publication Data, CRC Press, Inc., pp. 312-321.|
|12||Fine et al., "A Clinicopathologic Study of Four Cases of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Compared To Normal Eyes", American Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 91, No. 1, 1981, pp. 88-105.|
|13||Gharagozloo et al., "Unilateral Exfoliation Syndrome Without Glaucoma-A Comparison of Aqueous Dynamica Between Affected and Normal Eyes", Glaucoma Paper Presentation, (abstract only-not dated).|
|14||Gharagozloo et al., "Unilateral Exfoliation Syndrome Without Glaucoma—A Comparison of Aqueous Dynamica Between Affected and Normal Eyes", Glaucoma Paper Presentation, (abstract only—not dated).|
|15||Hamard, P., et al., "Deep Nonpenetrating Sclerectomy And Open Angle Glaucoma. Intermediate Results From Thbe First Operated Patients", J. Fr. Ophthalmol., vol. 22 (j), Feb. 1999, pp. 25-31, (abstract only).|
|16||Hans Hoerauf, Christopher Wirbelauer, Christian Scholz, Ralf Engelhardt, Peter Koch, Horst Laqua, and Reginald Birngruber, Slit-Lamp-Adapted Optical Coherence Tomography of the Anteriuor Segment, Graefe's Arch Clin. Exp. Ophthalmol, May 1999, vol. 238, pp. 8-18.|
|17||I. Grierson, R.C. Howes, and Q. Wang, Age-related Changes in the Canal of Schlemm, Exp. Eye Res., 1984, vol. 39, pp. 505-512.|
|18||Improving the Flow: A Survey Of Available Implants, EW Practice Managment, Oct. 11, 1999, website "http://www.eyeworld.org/tooltime/999inserts.asp".|
|19||Jianbo Zhou, PhD, Gregory T. Smedley, PhD., A Trabecular Bypass Flow Hypothesis, Feb. 2005, vol. 14 No. 1.|
|20||Johannes W. Rohen, Glaucoma, vol. 1, Chapter 14, Anatomy of the Aqueous Outflow Channels, Grune & Stratton, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers, edited by J.E. Cairns, pp. 277-296.|
|21||Johnson, M.C. and R. D. Kamm, The Role of Schlemm's Canal in Aqueous Outflow from the Human Eye, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Mar. 1983, vol. 24, pp. 321-325.|
|22||Karlen, M.E., et al., "Deep Sclerectomy With Collagen Implant: Medium Term Results", Br. J. Ophthalmol. vol. 83, No. 1, Jan. 1999, pp. 6-11, (abstract only).|
|23||L. Jay Katz, M.D., A Call for Innovative Operations for Glaucoma, Arch Ophthalmology, Mar. 2000, vol. 118, pp. 412-413.|
|24||Luanne K. Putney, Cecile Rose T. Vibat, and Martha E. O'Donnell, Intracellular C1 Regulates Na-K-C1 Cotransport Activity in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells, 1999 American Physiological Society, Sep. 1999, pp. C373 through C383.|
|25||M. Bruce Shields, MD, A Study Guide for Glaucoma: Aqueous Humor Dynamics, Copyright 1982, pp. 6-43.|
|26||M.A. Johnstone, R. Stegmann, and B.A. Smit, American Glaucoma Society, 12th Annual Meeting, Cylindrical Tubular Structures Spanning from Trabecular Meshwork Across SC, Laboratory Studies with SEM, TEM and Tracers Correlated with Clinical Findings, p. 39.|
|27||Maurice H. Luntz, MD, and D.G. Livingston, B.SC., Trabeculotomy AB Externo and Trabeculectomy in Congenital and Adult-Onset Glaucoma, American Journal of Ophthalmology, Feb. 1977, vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 174-179.|
|28||McMenamin, et al., "Age-Related Changes in the Human Outflow Apparatus", Ophthalmology, vol. 93, No. 2., Feb. 1988, pp. 194-209.|
|29||Mermoud, A., et al., "Comparison of Deep Sclerectomy With Collagen Implant and Trabeculectomy in Open-Angle Glaucoma", J. Catarecat Refract. Surg., vol. 25, No. 3, Mar. 1999, pp. 323-331, (abstract only).|
|30||Moses, Robert A. et al., "Blood Reflux in Schlemm's Canal", Arch Ophthamol., vol. 97, Jul. 1979, pp. 1307-1310.|
|31||Moses, Robert A. M.D., Circumferential Flow in Schlemm's Canal, American Journal of Ophthalmology, Sep. 1979, vol. 88, No. 3, Part II, pp. 585-591.|
|32||Philip C. Jacobi, MD, Thomas S. Dietlein, MD, and Gunter K. Krieglstein, MD., Bimanual Trabecular Aspiration in Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma, Ophthalmology. 1998, vol. 105, No. 5, May 1998, pp. 886-894.|
|33||Phillip C. Jacobi, MD, Thomas S. Dietlein, MD, and Gunter K. Krieglstein, MD., Goniocurettage for Removing Trabecular Meshwork: Clinical Results of a New Surgical Technique in Advanced Cronic Open-Angle Glaucoma, American Journal of Ophthalmology, May 1999, pp. 505-510.|
|34||Phillip C. Jacobi, MD, Thomas S. Dietlein, MD, and Gunter K. Krieglstein, MD., Microendoscopic Trabecular Surgery in Glaucoma Management, Ophthalmology, 1999, vol. 106, No. 3, pp. 538-544.|
|35||R.A. Hill, Q. Ren, D.D. Nguyen, L-H Liaw, and M.W. Berns, Free-Electron Laser (FEL) Ablation of Ocular Tissues, Lasesr Med Sci 1998, pp. 13:219-226.|
|36||Richard A. Hill, MD, George Baerveldt, MD, Serdar A. Ozler, MD, Michael Pickford, BA, Glen A. Profeta, BS, and Michael W. Berns,PhD. Laser Trabecular Ablation (LTA), Laser in Surgery and Medicine, 1991, vol. 11, pp. 341-346.|
|37||Robert W. Nickells, Apoptosis of Retinal Ganglion Cells in Glaucoma: An Update of the Molecular Pathways Involved in Cell Death, Survey of Ophthalmology, vol. 43, Supplement 1, Jun. 1999, pp. S-151 through S-161.|
|38||Robinson, et al., "Superior Cervical Ganglionectomy: Effects on Aqueous Human Flow in the Cynomolgus Monkey", Glaucoma Paper Presentation, (abstract only-not dated).|
|39||Robinson, et al., "Superior Cervical Ganglionectomy: Effects on Aqueous Human Flow in the Cynomolgus Monkey", Glaucoma Paper Presentation, (abstract only—not dated).|
|40||Samalonis, Lisa B., "New Horizons in the Surgical Treatment of Glaucoma", Ew Glaucoma, Oct. 11, 1999, website "http://www.eyeworld.org/sep99/999p62.asp".|
|41||Shields, M. Bruce, Textbook Of Glaucoma, Fourth Ed., Williams & Wilkins Publishers, 1998, pp. 5-31.|
|42||Sumita Radhakrishnan, Andrew M. Rollins, Jonathan E. Roth, S. Yazddanfar, Volker Westphal, David Bardenstein, and Joseph Izatt, Real-Time Optical Coherence Tomography of the Anterior Segment at 1310 nm, Arch Ophthalmology, Aug. 2001, vol. 119, pp. 1179-1185.|
|43||Tripathi et al. "Functional Anatomy of the Anterior Chamber Angle", Biomedical Foundations of Ophthalmology, 1(10): 1-74, Ed. Thomas Dune and Edward Jaeger, Revised Ed. 1983, Harper & Row.|
|44||Troncoso, Manuel U., Tantalum implants for inducing hypotony, American Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 32, No. 4, Apr. 1949, pp. 499-508 (11 pages).|
|45||U.S. Appl. No. 09/452,963, filed Dec. 2, 1999. Title: Expandable/ Retractable Stent for Venous and Valvular Annulus Use.|
|46||U.S. Clinical Wick Trials, Oct. 11, 1999, website http://www.cornea.org/us.htm.|
|47||Vincente L. Jocson, M.D.; Air Trabeculotomy; American Journal of Ophthalmolgy: vol. 78, No. 1, Jan.-Jun. 1975; pp. 107-111.|
|48||W.G. Tatton, Apoptotic Mechanisms in Neurodegeneration: Possible Relevance to Glaucoma, European Journal of Ophthalmology, Jan.-Mar. 1999, vol. 9, Supplement 1, pp. S22 through S29.|
|49||W.M. Grant, MD, Further Studies on Facility of Flow Through the Trabecular Meshwork, A.M.A. Archives of Ophthalmololgy, Oct. 1958, vol. 60, pp. 523-533.|
|50||Welsh, N.H., et al., "The 'Deroofing' Of Schlemm's Canal in Patients With Open-Angle Glaucoma Through Placement of a Collagen Drainage Device", Ophthalmic Surg. Lasers, vol. 29, No. 3, Mar. 1998, pp. 216-226, (abstract only).|
|51||Welsh, N.H., et al., "The ‘Deroofing’ Of Schlemm's Canal in Patients With Open-Angle Glaucoma Through Placement of a Collagen Drainage Device", Ophthalmic Surg. Lasers, vol. 29, No. 3, Mar. 1998, pp. 216-226, (abstract only).|
|52||William Tatton, Ruth M.E. Chalmers-Redman, Ajay Sud, Steven M. Podos, and Thomas Mittag, Maintaining Mitochondrial Membrane Impermeability: An Opportunity for New Therapy in Glaucoma, Survey of Ophthalmology, vol. 45, Supplement 3, May 2001, pp. S277 through S283.|
|53||Wilson, Ellen D., "Implants Offer Choices for Glaucoma Surgeons", EW Glaucoma, Oct. 11, 1999, website "http://www.eyeorld.org/sep99/999p60.asp".|
|54||Yasuhiro Matsumoto and Douglas H. Johnson, Trabecular Meshwork Phagocytosis in Graucomatous Eyes, Ophthalmologica 1977. vol. 211, pp. 147-152.|
| || |
|U.S. Classification||604/8, 604/523, 604/10, 623/4.1, 606/107, 604/264, 623/1.1, 604/284, 604/521, 623/1.35, 623/1.11, 604/9, 606/108, 604/289|
|International Classification||A61M5/00, A61F2/84, A61M25/00, A61F2/00, A61F9/00, A61F9/007|
|Cooperative Classification||A61M2210/0612, A61F2250/0067, A61M25/007, A61F9/00781, A61M25/0074, A61M25/0068, A61F9/0017|
|European Classification||A61F9/007V, A61M25/00T10|
|May 21, 2014||AS||Assignment|
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LYNCH, MARY G.;BROWN, REAY H.;REEL/FRAME:032974/0674
Effective date: 20040402
Owner name: GMP VISION SOLUTIONS, INC., FLORIDA
|Sep 4, 2012||CC||Certificate of correction|
|Jan 25, 2007||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: GLAUKOS CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GMP VISION SOLUTIONS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:018818/0251
Effective date: 20070119