Devices and methods for glaucoma treatment
Intraocular implants and delivery instruments are disclosed for treating ophthalmic conditions and ocular disorders, such as glaucoma. The implants are configured to extend between the anterior chamber of the eye and a fluid outflow path or physiologic outflow pathway, such as Schlemm's canal, of the eye for enhancing outflow of aqueous from the anterior chamber so as to reduce intraocular pressure. The implants can have features for anchoring the implant into the physiologic outflow pathway as well as preventing the walls of the physiologic outflow pathway from closing the outlet of the implants. The delivery instruments can be steerable so as to make implantation easier. Additionally, the delivery instruments can be configured to hold a plurality of implants so that multiple implants can be implanted through one incision without removing the delivery instrument from the incision between serial implantations.
1. An instrument for delivering implants for treating an ophthalmic condition and dispensing implants through a wall of a physiologic outflow pathway, the instrument comprising:
an elongate body, said elongate body comprising a tube and sized to be introduced into an eye through an incision in the eye;
a trocar in said tube, wherein said trocar has a cutting edge sufficiently sharp to cut through said wall of said physiologic outflow pathway;
a plurality of biocompatible implants positioned in the elongate body, each of said implants sized and shaped to convey aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of the eye to a fluid outflow path of the eye so as to reduce elevated intraocular pressure; and
said elongate body further comprising an actuator that serially dispenses the implants from the elongate body for implanting in eye tissue;
wherein when said implants are positioned in the elongate body at least one of said implants has an outlet orifice positioned in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body.
2. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the implants are positioned end to end in the tube.
3. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a cutting member.
4. The instrument of claim 3 , wherein the cutting member comprises an end of the tube.
5. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the implants have respective lumens and the trocar passes through the lumens.
6. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein said cutting edge of said trocar is not so sharp as to significantly damage a scleral wall of said physiologic outflow pathway.
7. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the elongate body comprises a distal portion that is deflectable or steerable relative to a proximal portion of the elongate body.
8. An instrument for delivering implants for treating an ophthalmic condition and dispensing implants through a wall of a physiologic outflow pathway, the instrument comprising:
an elongate body, said elongate body comprising a tube and being sized to be introduced into an eye through an incision in the eye;
a trocar being disposed within and being axially moveable through said tube, wherein said trocar has a cutting edge sufficiently sharp to cut through said wall of said physiologic outflow pathway;
a plurality of biocompatible implants positioned in the elongate body, each of said implants sized and shaped to convey aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of the eye to a fluid outflow path of the eye so as to reduce elevated intraocular pressure; and
said elongate body further comprising an actuator that serially dispenses the implants from the elongate body for implanting in eye tissue;
wherein when said implants are positioned in the elongate body at least one of said implants has an outlet orifice positioned in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body.
9. The instrument of claim 8 , wherein the implants are positioned end to end in the tube.
10. The instrument of claim 8 , wherein the body comprises a cutting member.
11. The instrument of claim 10 , wherein the cutting member comprises an end of the tube.
12. The instrument of claim 8 , wherein the implants have respective lumens and the trocar passes through the lumens.
13. The instrument of claim 8 , wherein said cutting edge of said trocar is not so sharp as to significantly damage a scleral wall of said physiologic outflow pathway.
14. The instrument of claim 8 , wherein the elongate body comprises a distal portion that is deflectable or steerable relative to a proximal portion of the elongate body.