Intraocular implants and related kits and methods

Abstract

Devices, methods and kits are described for reducing intraocular pressure. The devices include a support that is implantable within Schlemm's canal and that may restore or maintain at least partial patency of the canal without substantially interfering with transmural or transluminal fluid flow across the canal. The devices utilize the natural drainage process of the eye and may be implanted with minimal trauma to the eye. Kits may include a support and an introducer for implanting the support within Schlemm's canal. Methods may include implanting a support within Schlemm's canal, where the support is capable of restoring or maintaining at least partial patency of the canal without substantial interference with transmural or transluminal fluid flow across the canal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for reducing intraocular pressure, the method comprising:
 inserting a first support comprising a twisted ribbon member circumferentially within Schlemm's canal, wherein the first support maintains the patency of at least a portion of Schlemm's canal and does not substantially interfere with transmural flow across Schlemm's canal, and wherein the twisted ribbon member comprises a double helix having a length, a first elongated edge, a second elongated edge, and a central longitudinal axis, the first and second elongated edges of the double helix being twisted along and about the central longitudinal axis, and comprising a plurality of struts extending therebetween in a direction substantially normal to the central longitudinal axis, and wherein the plurality of struts define a plurality of fenestrations spaced along at least a portion of the length of the twisted ribbon member.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises inserting the first support such that the first support is contained entirely within Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first support traverses at least a portion of a central core of Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first support completely traverses the central core of Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first support contacts first and second interior wall portions of Schlemm's canal, the first interior wall portion being coincident with an outer peripheral boundary of the trabecular meshwork, and the second interior wall portion having collector channels extending therefrom. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first support conforms to an interior surface of Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first support has a first configuration prior to being inserted within Schlemm's canal and a second configuration after being inserted into Schlemm's canal, wherein the first configuration is different from the second configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first support comprises a shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first support comprises a nickel-titanium alloy. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first support is inserted within Schlemm's canal using an ab interno approach. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first support is inserted within Schlemm's canal using an ab externo approach. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises using a cannula to insert the first support within Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first support makes only tangential contact with an interior surface of Schlemm's canal when the first support is disposed within Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first support makes only point contacts with an interior surface of Schlemm's canal when the first support is disposed within Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein when the first support is disposed within a cylindrical section of Schlemm's canal having an internal wall surface area C, the first support contacts less than 30% of C. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first support contacts less than 10% of C. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first support contacts less than 1% of C. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising dilating Schlemm's canal prior to insertion of the first support. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting a second support circumferentially within Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first support occupies between about ⅛ and about ½ of the circumference of Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first support occupies between about ¼ and about ⅓ of the circumference of Schlemm's canal.