Intraocular implant, delivery device, and method of implantation

An intraocular implant for implantation in an eyeball comprising:

• a tube for implanting into the eyeball comprising an inlet end with a beveled surface at the inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage extending between the inlet end and the outlet end for permitting aqueous humor to flow out of the eyeball;
• and
• a flanged disk connected to the tube at the outlet end of the tube for placing on a surface of the eyeball;
• wherein the beveled surface at the inlet end of the tube lies in a first plane forming an angle with the longitudinal axis of the tube and the flanged disk lies in a second plane which is angled opposite to the first plane.

An intraocular implant for implantation in an eyeball comprising:

• a tube for implanting into the eyeball comprising an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage extending between the inlet end and the outlet end for permitting aqueous humor to flow out of the eyeball;
• and
• a flanged disk connected to the tube at the outlet end of the tube for placing on a surface of the eyeball;
• wherein the tube has at least one circumferential hole which opens into the tube passage proximate the inlet end of the tube.

An intraocular implant for implantation in an eyeball comprising:

• a tube for implanting into the eyeball comprising an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage extending between the inlet end and the outlet end for permitting aqueous humor to flow out of the eyeball;
• and
• a flanged disk connected to the tube at the outlet end of the tube for placing on a surface of the eyeball;
• wherein the flanged disk comprises a base, an outer rim, and at least one inner upright, and wherein the base and outer rim form a reservoir having a larger cross-sectional area than the tube passage.

An intraocular implant for implantation in an eyeball comprising:

• a tube for implanting into the eyeball comprising an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage extending between the inlet end and the outlet end for permitting aqueous humor to flow out of the eyeball;
• and
• a flanged disk connected to the tube at the outlet end of the tube for placing on a surface of the eyeball;
• wherein the implant has at least one retention projection for anchoring the implant in the eyeball, said retention projection being extended outwardly when the implant is implanted in the eyeball.

A delivery device for implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball, the delivery device comprising:

• a handle;
• and
• a rodlike instrument;
• wherein the rodlike instrument comprises a tip for penetrating a tube passage of the implant and a retention mechanism for retaining the implant on the delivery device.

A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:

• attaching the implant to a delivery device;
• cutting a slit in a portion of the conjunctiva of the eyeball which normally lies at a distance away from an intended implantation site;
• placing the implant by the delivery device through the slit in the conjunctiva;
• directing the implant by the delivery device to the implantation site;
• inserting the implant through the sclera at the implantation site;
• withdrawing the delivery device;
• and
• allowing the slit in the conjunctiva to be lie at the distance away from the implantation size.

A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:

• attaching the implant to a delivery device;
• directing the implant by the delivery device to the implantation site;
• inserting the implant through the sclera at the implantation site such that a beveled surface at an inlet end of the implant faces away from the iris;
• and
• withdrawing the delivery device.

A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:

• attaching the implant to a delivery device;
• directing the implant by the delivery device to the implantation site;
• inserting the implant through the sclera at the implantation site such that a marker is visible upon penetration through the sclera;
• and
• withdrawing the delivery device.

A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:

• attaching the implant to a delivery device;
• directing the implant by the delivery device to the implantation site;
• inserting the implant through the sclera at the implantation site;
• extending outwardly at least one retention projection for anchoring the implant in the eyeball;
• and
• withdrawing the delivery device.

A method of implanting an intraocular implant into an eyeball comprising the steps of:

• attaching the implant to a delivery device comprising a handle and a rodlike instrument comprising a tip for penetrating a tube passage of the implant and a retention mechanism for retaining the implant on the delivery device;
• directing the implant by the delivery device to the implantation site;
• inserting the implant through the sclera at the implantation site;
• and
• withdrawing the delivery device.