98 results about "Trabecular meshwork" patented technology

Surgical methods and related medical devices for treating glaucoma are shown. The method includes trabecular bypass surgery, which involves bypassing diseased trabecular meshwork with the use of a seton implant. The seton implant is used to prevent a healing process known as filling in, which has a tendency to close surgically created openings in the trabecular meshwork. The surgical method and novel implant are addressed to the trabecular meshwork, which is a major site of resistance to outflow in glaucoma. In addition to bypassing the diseased trabecular meshwork at the level of the trabecular meshwork, existing outflow pathways are also used or restored. The seton implant is positioned through the trabecular meshwork so that an inlet end of the seton implant is exposed to the anterior chamber of the eye and an outlet end is positioned into fluid collection channels at about an exterior surface of the trabecular meshwork or up to the level of aqueous veins.

Surgical methods and related medical devices for treating glaucoma are disclosed. The method comprises trabecular bypass surgery, which involves bypassing diseased trabecular meshwork with the use of a stent implant. The stent implant is inserted into an opening created in the trabecular meshwork by a piercing member that is slidably advanceable through the lumen of the stent implant for supporting the implant insertion. The stent implant is positioned through the trabecular meshwork so that an inlet end of the stent implant is exposed to the anterior chamber of the eye and an outlet end is positioned into fluid collection channels at about an exterior surface of the trabecular meshwork or up to the level of aqueous veins.

An apparatus and technique for transscleral light-mediated biostimulation of the trabecular plates of a patient's eye in a treatment for glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The apparatus includes; (i) a working end geometry for contacting the anterior surface of the sclera and cornea to insure that a laser emission reaches the trabecular meshwork from a particular location on the anterior surface of the sclera, (ii) a laser energy source providing a wavelength appropriate for absorption beneath the anterior scleral surface to the depth of the trabecular plates, and (iii) a dosimetry control system for controlling the exposure of the laser emission at the particular spatial locations. The device uses a light energy source that emits wavelengths in the near-infrared portion of the spectrum, preferably in the range of about 1.30 mum to 1.40 mum or from about 1.55 mum to 1.85 mum. The depth of absorption of such wavelength ranges will extend through most, if not all, of the thickness of the sclera (750 mum to 950 mum). In accordance with a proposed method of trabecular biostimulation, the targeted region is elevated in temperature to a range between about 40° C. to 55° C. for a period of time ranging from about 1 second to 120 seconds or more.

Embodiments include methods, apparatuses, and systems for reducing elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in a patient to either prevent or treat open-angle glaucoma. Heat is applied to the trabecular meshwork in the patient's eye without damaging proteins in the trabecular meshwork. The application of heat to the trabecular meshwork has the effect of relaxing or loosening protein clogs or other inhibitors in the trabecular meshwork, which are either reducing or obstructing of the outflow of aqueous humor, thereby increasing the patient's IOP and causing ocular hypertension (OHT). By loosening or relaxing clogs or other inhibitors in the trabecular meshwork, the outflow path for aqueous humor is increased or restored, which can lower IOP and either prevent or treat glaucoma. Force may also be applied to the patient's eye to apply pressure to the trabecular meshwork to further assist in the loosening or relaxing of clogs or other inhibitors in the trabecular meshwork.

A technique can be used increase the flow of fluid through the trabecular meshwork. The fluid pulses can be focused, thereby perforating the trabecular meshwork, or applied over a larger area so as to stimulate the trabecular meshwork for improved fluid transport. In addition, the pulses of the irrigating fluid can clean away material, such as iris pigment, that may be blocking or clogging the trabecular meshwork. Such a technique may be practiced using the tip of the present invention and commercially available surgical handpieces.

Systems and methods are provided for reducing intraocular pressure in an eye. A perpendicular incision is made through a conjunctiva of the eye to access a trabecular meshwork of the eye. Electromagnetic energy is focused through the perpendicular incision to ablate a portion of the trabecular network, where said ablation creates a channel for outflow flow of fluid through a sclera venous sinus to reduce pressure within the eye.

Methods and compositions for controlling ocular hypertension associated with (i) primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), (ii) other forms of glaucoma, or (iii) glucocorticoid therapy are disclosed. The methods involve administration of angiostatic agents and other IOP-lowering agents via local injections in the anterior segment of the eye. The most preferred IOP-lowering agents are angiostatic steroids, particularly anecortave acetate, and the most preferred route of administration is an anterior juxtascleral injection or implant. The invention is based in part on the discovery that anterior juxtascleral injections of anecortave acetate are capable of controlling intraocular pressure for sustained periods of from one to several months or more. This result is believed to be attributable to facilitation of access of the anecortave acetate to the trabecular meshwork via the anterior juxtascleral route of administration. This route of administration is also believed to be advantageous for other types of IOP-lowering agents, particularly molecules that cannot readily penetrate the cornea due to size or other physical properties.

An irrigating tip have a flattened or oval shape more easily fits into the anterior chamber angle, thereby allowing more effective delivery of the pulses of balanced salt solution to the trabecular meshwork.

An ablation probe for use in glaucoma surgery has a shaft, a heating element, and a pair of electrical connectors located on a distal end of the shaft. The pair of electrical connectors holds the heating element to the shaft. The heating element is sized and shaped to ablate a trabecular meshwork in a human eye. The ablation probe is advanced through a corneal incision until the heating element contacts the trabecular meshwork. An electrical current is passed through the heating element to ablate the trabecular meshwork.

Embodiments include methods, apparatuses, and systems for reducing elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in a patient to either prevent or treat open-angle glaucoma. Heat is applied to the trabecular meshwork in the patient's eye without damaging proteins in the trabecular meshwork. The application of heat to the trabecular meshwork has the effect of relaxing or loosening protein clogs or other inhibitors in the trabecular meshwork, which are either reducing or obstructing of the outflow of aqueous humor, thereby increasing the patient's IOP and causing ocular hypertension (OHT). By loosening or relaxing clogs or other inhibitors in the trabecular meshwork, the outflow path for aqueous humor is increased or restored, which can lower IOP and either prevent or treat glaucoma. Force may also be applied to the patient's eye to apply pressure to the trabecular meshwork to further assist in the loosening or relaxing of clogs or other inhibitors in the trabecular meshwork.

A method of treating glaucoma is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing an ultrasonic device that emits ultrasonic energy, holding the ultrasonic instrument at a location external to the trabecular meshwork, transmitting the ultrasonic energy at a frequency to a desired location for a predetermined time, dislodging material built up in the trabecular meshwork, and generating heat that initiates biochemical changes in the eye.

An irrigating technique that can be used to increase the flow of fluid through the trabecular meshwork. Pulses of relatively high pressure irrigating are directed at the trabecular meshwork. These pulses can be focused, thereby perforating the trabecular meshwork, or applied over a larger area so as to stimulate the trabecular meshwork for improved fluid transport. In addition, the pulses of the irrigating balance salt solution can be used to clean away material, such as iris pigment, that may be blocking or clogging the trabecular meshwork. Such a technique may be practiced using the herein disclosed tip with commercially available surgical handpieces.

Methods for the treatment of glaucoma are provided by the present invention. The compounds described cause a perturbation of the actin cytoskeleton in the trabecular meshwork or the modulation of its interactions with the underlying membrane. Perturbation of the cytoskeleton and the associated adhesions reduces the resistance of the trabecular meshwork to fluid flow and thereby reduces intraocular pressure.

A system and its method for creating a microchannel in the trabecular meshwork of an eye include a laser unit for generating a laser beam, and an imaging unit for creating an image of the trabecular meshwork. The system also includes a computer which defines the microchannel. A comparator that is connected with the computer then controls the laser unit to move the focal point of the laser beam. This focal point movement is accomplished to create the microchannel, while minimizing deviations of the focal point from the defined microchannel.

A method of treating glaucoma is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing an ultrasonic device that emits ultrasonic energy, holding the ultrasonic device at a location external to the trabecular meshwork, transmitting the ultrasonic energy at a frequency to a desired location for a predetermined time, causing biochemical changes to be initiated within the eye that may include triggering a presumed integrin response that initiates biochemical changes typified by but not limited to cytokines, enzymes, macrophage activity and heat shock proteins, and dislodging material built up in the trabecular meshwork.

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.

A system and method for diagnosing and treating glaucoma is presented. The system imparts pressure on the anterior chamber of a eye using a coupling mechanism, while capturing three-dimensional imagery of the eye using optical coherence tomography angiography. Applying pressure in various areas of the eye, imparts changes that can help detect parts of the eye, or diagnose certain disorders related to the drainage of aqueous humor. A controller coupled to the optical coherence tomography angiography scanner may be used to guide a laser for excision of the trabecular meshwork for enhancing aqueous humor drainage thus lowering intraocular pressure and preventing glaucoma.

The short form version of c-Maf transcription factor is up-regulated in steroid-treated and transforming growth factor beta2-treated trabecular meshwork cells, and is present at elevated levels in glaucomatous versus normal trabecular meshwork cells and in glaucomatous versus normal optic nerve head tissue. Expression of short form c-Maf transcription factor under these conditions indicates a causal or effector role for the factor in primary open-angle and steroid-induced glaucoma pathogenesis. Antagonism of short form c-Maf transcription factor expression and / or activity in the trabecular meshwork or other ocular tissue is provided for inhibiting or alleviating glaucoma pathogenesis. Antagonists include cyclin-dependent kinase 2 inhibitors.

An irrigation technique that can be used to increase the flow of fluid through the trabecular meshwork and to deliver a therapeutic agent or compound directly into the trabecular meshwork. Pulses of relatively high pressure irrigating balanced salt solution containing a therapeutic agent or compound can be directed at the trabecular meshwork. These pulses can be focused, or applied over a larger area. Such a technique may be practiced using the herein disclosed tip with commercially available surgical handpieces.

An ocular stent for insertion in an anterior chamber of an eye is provided. The stent facilitates the restoration of the structure of an irideocorneal angle of the anterior chamber for treating structural changes from ocular aging. The stent includes an annular body sized to fit in the irideocorneal angle of the eye. The body includes: an anterior portion configured to contact a surface of a transition zone between a trabecular meshwork and a corneal endothelium of the eye; a posterior portion configured to contact a peripheral iris of the eye; and a central portion connecting the anterior portion and the posterior portion of the body. A method for stabilizing the iredeocorneal angle of the anterior chamber using a stent is also disclosed herein.

The present invention is a method of treating glaucoma by applying an electric field in the vicinity of the juxtacanalicular region of the trabecular meshwork sufficient to cause migration or reorientation of glycosaminoglycans located in the extracellular matrix. A device for applying the electric field includes a controller coupled to a pressure sensor, and a pair of electrodes coupled to a voltage source. The electrodes apply the electric field, and the controller controls the application of the electric field based on IOP measurements from the pressure sensor.

A phacoemulsificator for the removal of lens tissue, wherein the phacoemulsificator contains:a power source configured to provide pulsed electrical power, anda pump configured to provide vacuum, characterized in that the phacoemulsificator contains at least one eye ring connectable to the pump wherein the proximal end of said eye ring is suitable to be applied onto an ocular globe and means to generate ultrasound beam connectable to the power source wherein said means are fixed on the distal end of the eye ring.

The present invention relates generally to a device and method for the treatment of retinal detachment, ocular hypertension and glaucoma, and increasing the amplitude of accommodation. In an illustrative embodiment, the device includes a tapered, mesh tube. Once the device is within the sclera, the mesh expands to deform the sclera. When the device is placed within the posterior sclera for the treatment of a retinal tear, the device expands deforming the sclera so that the retinal pigment epithelium comes in contact with the retinal tear to seal the tear. For the treatment of ocular hypertension, glaucoma and to increase the amplitude of accommodation, the device is placed within the anterior sclera over the posterior plicata of the ciliary body, which upon expansion causes the underlying ciliary body to deform, resulting in traction on the trabecular meshwork and deformation of the ciliary body, which causes lowering of intraocular pressure, and increases the amplitude of accommodation in patients with ocular hypertension or decreased accommodation.

The present invention is generally related to implants for compensating bone loss in mammalian body, and to devices and methods for replacing or creating facial bone. The present invention relates to devices and methods for implanting an implantable device in a subject's body. The implantable device embodying features of the present invention include a body formed from a rig or matrix having a trabecular meshwork structure or cells with shapes suitable for a particular anatomical area of interest. The device may be a dental implant serving as a platform for placement of dental crowns.

An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus, which allows SLT to be performed by a laser source not having a Q-switch which emits a continuous wave laser beam, has a laser source capable of emitting a continuous wave visible laser beam to be absorbed into pigment cells of trabecular meshwork, an irradiation optical system for directing the laser beam to a patient's eye so as to irradiate the eye with the laser beam, a device for pulsing the laser beam by controlling a driving duration of the laser source or opening and closing durations of a shutter in the irradiation optical system, a device capable of setting an irradiation duration of the laser beam within a range of 0.1 msec to 5 msec in order to perform Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, and a device capable of setting irradiation energy density of the laser beam within a range of 1 J / cm2 to 8.5 J / cm2.

A system and method for diagnosing and treating glaucoma is presented. The system imparts pressure on the anterior chamber of a eye using a coupling mechanism, while capturing three-dimensional imagery of the eye using optical coherence tomography angiography. Applying pressure in various areas of the eye, imparts changes that can help detect parts of the eye, or diagnose certain disorders related to the drainage of aqueous humor. A controller coupled to the optical coherence tomography angiography scanner may be used to guide a laser for excision of the trabecular meshwork for enhancing aqueous humor drainage thus lowering intraocular pressure and preventing glaucoma.

The present invention provides a method of relieving intraocular pressure by inserting a drainage device into the sclera near the trabecular meshwork from a remote location. The path of insertion is made from a corneal incision and avoids contact with the conjunctiva and tenons tissue. The drainage device comprises a tube like structure and may contain a barb at one end to secure the drainage device. A delivery device may be used to insert the drainage device. The delivery device may be inserted through a corneal incision and directed to the desired area for insertion in to the sclera. The delivery device may then be activated to shoot the drainage device into the sclera to promote increased drainage of aqueous humor and reduce the build up of intraocular pressure.

An implantable device for mechanically stimulating the trabecular meshwork is disclosed. The device is implanted in the eye adjacent the trabecular meshwork. The device imparts mechanical stimulating in the form of vibrations or movement to the trabecular meshwork. The imparted mechanical stimulation causes the trabecular meshwork to move in a manner that produces a pumping action to remove aqueous from the anterior chamber of the eye.