Methods and devices for increasing aqueous drainage of the eye
AssigneeIantrek, Inc.
InventorTsontcho Ianchulev
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods to remove trabecular meshwork to treat glaucoma and other conditions which may not utilize cutting elements when stripping the trabecular meshwork. The trabeculorhexis parts tissue by applying non-cutting shear and tension to the tissue to disinsert the tissue from its attachments. Reducing or eliminating the need for sharp cutting implements in the eye reduces the likelihood of incisional bleeding, iris and scleral tissue maceration and further inadvertent tissue damage of the gonio structure of the eye. In another aspect, a cutting element may be used to form a circumferential slit in a wall of Schlemm's canal in conjunction with removal of trabecular meshwork or independently.
Claims17
A device for disrupting tissue in an eye, the device comprising:
- an introducer comprising a lumen and a curved distal end region;
- and
- an elongate, flexible shaft of superelastic material extendable through the curved distal end region of the introducer, the shaft comprising:
- a distal end region sized and configured for ab interno insertion into an anterior chamber of the eye, the distal end region shaped into a curve having a central plane, the distal end region of the shaft having a radially inner surface connected to a radially outer surface by opposing sidewalls;
- a guide member integrally formed by a blunt distal end of the shaft and having a rounded lower surface;
- and
- a tissue disruptor located a distance proximal to the guide member, the tissue disruptor having a distal face that is a blunt tissue-engaging surface, the tissue disruptor having a height between the radially inner surface and the radially outer surface and a width between the opposing sidewalls,
- wherein the rounded lower surface of the guide member is configured to slide atraumatically against an outer wall of Schlemm's canal, and wherein the height and the width of the tissue disruptor are sized to stretch and tear the trabecular meshwork along the opposing sidewalls as the shaft is advanced in an advancing direction along a circumferential contour of the eye.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.