Methods for implanting intraocular shunts
AssigneeAqueSys, Inc.
InventorsChristopher Horvath, Laszlo O. Romoda, Guenther Grabner, Herbert A. Reitsamer
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Abstract
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 of treating glaucoma can be performed by a clinician, in which a hollow needle is inserted into an eye through the sclera. The hollow needle can carry an intraocular shunt. Once inserted and properly positioned, the clinician can release the shunt from the needle such that the shunt conducts fluid away from the anterior chamber of the eye.
Claims11
(canceled)
An ab externo method of placing an intraocular shunt into an eye, the method comprising the steps of:
- advancing a needle, in which the shunt is disposed, into the eye through conjunctiva and sclera of the eye;
- positioning an outlet end portion of the shunt in a subconjunctival region of lower pressure the eye;
- and
- releasing the intraocular shunt to create a fluid-flow pathway from the anterior chamber to the subconjunctival region of lower pressure.
An ab externo method of treating glaucoma comprising:
- inserting, into an eye through the sclera, a hollow needle carrying an intraocular shunt and
- releasing the shunt from the needle such that the shunt conducts fluid away from the anterior chamber of the eye to a subconjunctival region.
A method for implanting a shunt in a suprachoroidal space of an eye, the method comprising:
- providing a device comprising:
- a housing;
- a deployment mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing;
- and a flexible hollow shaft coupled to the deployment mechanism and disposed within the shaft in a less curved configuration, less curved than the curved configuration, wherein the shaft holds an intraocular shunt, and is configured to guide the shunt along a scleral spur of an eye as the shunt is exposed from the shaft;
- inserting the device into the eye;
- and
- advancing the shaft out of the housing, whereby the shaft transitions from the less curved configuration to a curved configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.