Apparatus for delivery of ocular implants
An apparatus and methods for delivering ocular implants or microimplants. The apparatus is ergonomically designed for ease of use, and a simple manual depression of an actuator produces proportional movement of a linkage causing the implant or microimplant to be ejected through a cannula disposed at the desired location in the eye. Small gauge cannulas are provided for self-sealing methods of delivery.
1. An apparatus for implanting an ocular implant into the vitreous of a patient's eye, comprising: an elongate housing having a longitudinal axis; a cannula extending longitudinally from the housing, the cannula having a lumen extending therethrough; a plunger rod received within the cannula lumen and in engagement with the implant, the plunger rob being moveable from a first to second position; and a linkage having a moveable end connected to the plunger rod, and a fixed end secured to the housing, an actuating lever having a first end pivotally mounted within the housing, and a second end in engagement with the linkage, a removable tab with a pin interposed to prevent movement of the moveable end of the linkage, and a cap for placement over a forward end of the housing, wherein, upon removable of the tab, movement of the second end of the actuating lever against the linkage in a direction normal to the housing axis causes translational movement of the moveable end of the linkage from a first to second position parallel to the housing axis, thereby moving the plunger rod from the first to the second position and ejecting the implant from the cannula.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an ocular implant located within the lumen cannula.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said implant is a microimplant.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuating lever further comprises a button extending from the housing for manual depression of the lever.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cannula has an outer diameter of 0.032 inches or less.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cannula has an outer diameter of approximately 0.028 inches or less.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cannula lumen has a cross-sectional area of 0.0008 square inches or less.