Glaucoma implant with extending members
A trabecular shunt and methods for treating glaucoma are disclosed. One of the methods comprises transporting fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye to Schlemm's canal through an implant, the implant extending between the anterior chamber and Schlemm's canal; sensing an intraocular pressure using a sensor incorporated into the implant; and transmitting a signal indicative of the sensed pressure to an external receiver.
1 . An apparatus for treating glaucoma comprising an implant having an inlet configured to receive fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye and an outlet configured to deliver fluid from the inlet to Schlemm's canal of the eye, said implant having first and second members projecting away from the fluid outlet such that the members in a first position extend in substantially parallel directions.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the members in a second position extend in opposite directions.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the members comprise a shape-memory material, said members being biased toward the second position by the memory of the shape-memory material.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the shape-memory material is at a temperature above its shape transition temperature.
5 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a delivery applicator for delivering the implant through the trabecular meshwork such that the members extend into Schlemm's canal, said applicator cooperating with the implant such that the members are in the first position prior to delivery into the trabecular meshwork and in the second position subsequent to delivery into Schlemm's canal.
6 . An implant, for treating glaucoma, comprising:
an inflow portion configured to receive fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye;
an outflow portion having an outflow opening and configured to deliver fluid from the inflow portion to Schlemm's canal of the eye through the outflow opening;
wherein said outflow portion comprises a plurality of protrusions extending beyond the outflow portion in a direction substantially parallel to a long axis of the implant.
7 . The implant of claim 6 , wherein the protrusions are bendable or foldable outwardly into Schlemm's canal.
8 . The implant of claim 6 , wherein the protrusions comprise shape memory material an are adapted to extend in substantially opposite directions.