61 results about "Suprachoroidal space" patented technology

Devices and methods for treating intraocular pressure are disclosed. The devices include shunts for draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the uveoscleral outflow pathway, including the supraciliary space and the suprachoroidal space. The shunts are preferably implanted by ab interno procedures.

The invention provides tools, materials and related methods to surgically access the suprachoroidal space of an eye for the purpose of performing minimally invasive surgery or to deliver drugs to the eye. The invention provides a flexible microcannula device (11, 13) that may be placed into the suprachoroidal space (12, 14) through a small incision (12A) of the overlying tissues, maneuvered into the appropriate region of the space, and then activated to treat tissues adjacent to the distal tip of the device.

An apparatus is provided for forming a tissue tract (8, 11A, 17A) from within a first passageway of an eye (11, 17) connecting to a second passageway in the eye (12, 16) comprising an elongated tool with a proximal end and distal end. The tool has an outer diameter in the range of about 50 to about 1000 microns. Methods of using the tool are provided for creating a fluid path for aqueous humor of an eye from a first passageway of the eye, such as the Schlemm's Canal, to a second passageway, such as the suprachoroidal space

This invention comprises a flexible ocular device for implantation into the eye formed of a biocompatible elastomeric material, foldable to a diameter of 1.5 mm or less, comprising a fluid drainage tube having at one end a foldable plate adapted to locate the device on the inner surface of the sclera in a suprachoroidal space formed by cyclodialysis, said drainage tube opening onto the disc at one end and opening to the anterior chamber when implanted into the eye at its other end, so as to provide aqueous pressure regulation. Also provided are methods for the treatment of glaucoma utilising the flexible ocular device, and an ocular pressure spike shunt.

The invention provides tools, materials and related methods to surgically access the suprachoroidal space of an eye for the purpose of performing minimally invasive surgery or to deliver drugs to the eye. The invention provides a flexible microcannula or microcatheter device (11, 13) that may be placed into the suprachoroidal space (12, 14) through a small incision (12A) of the overlying tissues, maneuvered into the appropriate region of the space, and then activated to treat tissues adjacent to the distal tip of the device.

Drug formulations, devices and methods are provided to deliver biologically active substances to the eye. The formulations are delivered into scleral tissues adjacent to or into the suprachoroidal space without damage to the underlying choroid. One class of formulations is provided wherein the formulation is localized in the suprachoroidal space near the region into which it is administered. Another class of formulations is provided wherein the formulation can migrate to another region of the suprachoroidal space, thus allowing an injection in the anterior region of the eye in order to treat the posterior region.

An ophthalmic shunt implantable in an eye having an elongate body and a conduit for conducting aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of the eye to the suprachoroidal space of the eye. The elongate body has a forward end and an insertion head that extends from the forward end. The insertion head defines a shearing edge suitable for cutting eye tissue engage thereby. The forward end and the insertion head of the body define a shoulder surface. The conduit has a first end defined on a portion of a top surface of the insertion head. The conduit also extends through the body from the forward end to a back end thereof. The first end of the conduit is spaced from the shearing edge and, in one example, from the shoulder of the body.

An ophthalmic shunt implantable in an eye having an elongate body and a conduit for conducting aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of the eye to the suprachoroidal space of the eye. The elongate body has a forward end and an insertion head that extends from the forward end. The insertion head defines a shearing edge suitable for cutting eye tissue engage thereby. The forward end and the insertion head of the body define a shoulder surface. The conduit has a first end defined on a portion of a top surface of the insertion head. The conduit also extends through the body from the forward end to a back end thereof. The first end of the conduit is spaced from the shearing edge and, in one example, from the shoulder of the body.

The disclosure provides an intraocular implant for allowing fluid flow from the anterior chamber of an eye, the implant comprising a tube having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage, wherein the inlet end is adapted to extend into the anterior chamber of the eye, and wherein the outlet end is adapted to be implanted adjacent scleral tissue of the eye. The implant may be adapted to drain aqueous humor into a suprachoroidal space or a juxta-uveal space. The disclosure also provides associated delivery devices, methods of use, and methods of manufacture.

Methods and devices are provided for targeted non-surgical administration of a drug formulation to the suprachoroidal space (SCS) of the eye of a human subject for the treatment of a posterior ocular disorder or a choroidal malady. In one embodiment, the method comprises inserting a hollow microneedle into the eye at an insertion site and infusing a drug formulation through the inserted microneedle and into the suprachoroidal space of the eye, wherein the infused drug formulation flows within the suprachoroidal space away from the insertion site during the infusion. In one embodiment, the fluid drug formulation comprises drug nanoparticles or microparticles.

Methods and devices are adapted for implanting into the eye. An incision is formed in the cornea of the eye and a shunt is inserted through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye. The shunt includes a fluid passageway. The shunt is passed along a pathway from the anterior chamber through the scleral spur of the eye into the suprachoroidal space and positioned in a first position such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber.

Devices and methods for treating intraocular pressure are disclosed. The devices include drug delivery implants for treating ocular tissue. Optionally, the devices also include shunts for draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the uveoscleral outflow pathway, including the supraciliary space and the suprachoroidal space. The drug delivery implants can be implanted in ab interno or ab externo procedures.

A surgical technique wherein an indwelling shunt is placed in the eye of a patient having glaucoma. The shunt diverts aqueous humor from a deep scleral lake or directly from the anterior chamber to the suprachoroidal space from which it is removed by blood flowing in the choroidal and uveal tissues. This decreases the intra-ocular pressure. The indwelling shunt maintains the area of exposure of aqueous humor with the uvea by physically preventing scarring of the surrounding tissues. The method utilizes the 25 mm Hg driving force of the protein colloidal osmotic pressure of the blood to maximize the flow.

Drug formulations, devices and methods are provided to deliver biologically active substances to the eye. The formulations are delivered into scleral tissues adjacent to or into the suprachoroidal space without damage to the underlying choroid. One class of formulations is provided wherein the formulation is localized in the suprachoroidal space near the region into which it is administered. Another class of formulations is provided wherein the formulation can migrate to another region of the suprachoroidal space, thus allowing an injection in the anterior region of the eye in order to treat the posterior region.

Methods and devices are provided for targeted administration of a drug to a patient's eye. In one embodiment, the method includes inserting a hollow microneedle into the sclera of the eye at an insertion site and infusing a fluid drug formulation through the inserted microneedle and into the suprachoroidal space of the eye, wherein the infused fluid drug formulation flows within the suprachoroidal space away from the insertion site during the infusion. The fluid drug formulation may flow circumferentially toward the retinochoroidal tissue, macula, and optic nerve in the posterior segment of the eye.

This invention comprises a flexible ocular device for implantation into the eye formed of a biocompatible elastomeric material, foldable to a diameter of 1.5 mm or less, comprising a fluid drainage tube having at one end a foldable plate adapted to located the device on the inner surface of the sclera in a suprachoroidal space formed by cyclodialyis, said drainage tube opening on to the disc at one end and opening to the anterior chamber when implanted into the eye at its other end, so as to provide aqueous pressure regulation. Also provided are methods for the treatment of glaucoma utilizing the flexible ocular device, and an ocular pressure spike shunt.

Delivery devices, systems and methods are provided for inserting an implant into an eye. The delivery or inserter devices or systems can be used to dispose or implant an ocular stent or implant, such as a shunt, in communication with the suprachoroidal space, uveal scleral outflow pathway, uveoscleral outflow path or supraciliary space of the eye. The implant can drain fluid from an anterior chamber of the eye to a physiologic outflow path of the eye, such as, the suprachoroidal space, uveal scleral outflow pathway, uveoscleral outflow path or supraciliary space. Alternatively, or in addition, the implant can elute a drug or therapeutic agent. The delivery or inserter devices or systems can be used in conjunction with other ocular surgery, for example, but not limited to, cataract surgery through a preformed corneal incision, or independently with the inserter configured to make a corneal incision. The implant can be preloaded with or within the inserter to advantageously provide a sterile package for use by the surgeon, doctor or operator.

The disclosure provides an intraocular implant for allowing fluid flow from the anterior chamber of an eye, the implant comprising a tube having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage, wherein the inlet end is adapted to extend into the anterior chamber of the eye, and wherein the outlet end is adapted to be implanted adjacent scleral tissue of the eye. The implant may be adapted to drain aqueous humor into a suprachoroidal space or a juxta-uveal space. The disclosure also provides associated delivery devices, methods of use, and methods of manufacture.

The disclosure provides an intraocular implant for allowing fluid flow from the anterior chamber of an eye, the implant comprising a tube having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage, wherein the inlet end is adapted to extend into the anterior chamber of the eye, and wherein the outlet end is adapted to be implanted adjacent scleral tissue of the eye. The implant may be adapted to drain aqueous humor into a suprachoroidal space or a juxta-uveal space. The disclosure also provides associated delivery devices, methods of use, and methods of manufacture.

Methods and devices are adapted for implanting into the eye. An incision is formed in the cornea of the eye and a shunt is inserted through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye. The shunt includes a fluid passageway. The shunt is passed along a pathway from the anterior chamber through the scleral spur of the eye into the suprachoroidal space and positioned in a first position such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passagewaybetween the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber.

Drug formulations, devices and methods are provided to deliver biologically active substances to the eye. The formulations are delivered into scleral tissues adjacent to or into the suprachoroidal space without damage to the underlying choroid. One class of formulations is provided wherein the formulation is localized in the suprachoroidal space near the region into which it is administered. Another class of formulations is provided wherein the formulation can migrate to another region of the suprachoroidal space, thus allowing an injection in the anterior region of the eye in order to treat the posterior region.

Methods and devices for delivering radiation to a target at a posterior portion of an eye using a brachytherapy-administering device adapted to be inserted into a suprachoroidal space of the eye including a brachytherapy source and a means of advancing the brachytherapy source from a storage position to a radiation position corresponding to a position in a distal portion of the device, positioning the device appropriately such that the distal portion of the device is in close proximity to the target, exposing the target to the brachytherapy source for a predetermined length of time then removing the device and closing incisions made during a surgical procedures to reach the suprachoroidal space of the eye.

Delivery devices, systems and methods are provided for inserting an implant into an eye. The delivery or inserter devices or systems can be used to dispose or implant an ocular stent or implant, such as a shunt, in communication with the suprachoroidal space, uveal scleral outflow pathway, uveoscleral outflow path or supraciliary space of the eye. The implant can drain fluid from an anterior chamber of the eye to a physiologic outflow path of the eye, such as, the suprachoroidal space, uveal scleral outflow pathway, uveoscleral outflow path or supraciliary space. Alternatively, or in addition, the implant can elute a drug or therapeutic agent. The delivery or inserter devices or systems can be used in conjunction with other ocular surgery, for example, but not limited to, cataract surgery through a preformed corneal incision, or independently with the inserter configured to make a corneal incision. The implant can be preloaded with or within the inserter to advantageously provide a sterile package for use by the surgeon, doctor or operator.

Glaucoma can be treated by implanting an intraocular shunt into the eye. Such procedures can employ various deployment devices, shunts, and implantation techniques. A method for treating glaucoma can include injecting a drug into the eye and positioning an intraocular shunt in eye tissue such that the shunt conducts fluid from the anterior chamber to the suprachoroidal space.

A medical device and surgical procedure for the treatment of glaucoma in patients with primary open angle glaucoma, secondary open angle glaucoma, closed angle glaucoma, and refractory glaucoma. The device is inserted between two scleral flaps, cutting the trabecular meshwork and the sclera. When the device is removed, a proximal-facing cutting edge forms a tunnel allowing the aqueous humor to flow out of the anterior chamber into the suprachoroidal space.

Glaucoma can be treated by implanting an intraocular shunt into the eye. Such procedures can employ various deployment devices, shunts, and implantation techniques. A method for treating glaucoma can include positioning an intraocular shunt in eye tissue such that the shunt conducts fluid from the anterior chamber to the suprachoroidal space and delivers a pharmaceutical or biological agent to the eye.

Glaucoma can be treated by implanting an intraocular shunt into the eye. Such procedures can employ various deployment devices, shunts, and implantation techniques. A method for treating glaucoma can include positioning an intraocular shunt in eye tissue such that the shunt conducts fluid from the anterior chamber to the suprachoroidal space and delivers a pharmaceutical or biological agent to the eye.

Devices and methods for treating intraocular pressure are disclosed. The devices include drug delivery implants for treating ocular tissue. Optionally, the devices also include shunts for draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the uveoscleral outflow pathway, including the supraciliary space and the suprachoroidal space. The drug delivery implants can be implanted in ab interno or ab externo procedures.

Methods and devices are provided for targeted non-surgical administration of a drug formulation to the suprachoroidal space (SCS) of the eye of a human subject for the treatment of a posterior ocular disorder or a choroidal malady. In one embodiment, the method comprises inserting a hollow microneedle into the eye at an insertion site and infusing a drug formulation through the inserted microneedle and into the suprachoroidal space of the eye, wherein the infused drug formulation flows within the suprachoroidal space away from the insertion site during the infusion. In one embodiment, the fluid drug formulation comprises drug nanoparticles or microparticles.