Methods for implanting intraocular shunts

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . 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 inlet end portion of the shunt in the anterior chamber;   positioning an outlet end portion of the shunt in a region of lower pressure; and   releasing the intraocular shunt to create a fluid-flow pathway from the anterior chamber to the region of lower pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the advancing comprises piercing the Tenon's capsule of the eye. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein when released, a proximal end of the shunt is positioned within the sclera. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shunt comprises a pharmaceutical or biological agent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the pharmaceutical or biological agent comprises a coating on a surface of the shunt. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein a portion of the shunt is impregnated with the pharmaceutical or biological agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the pharmaceutical or biological agent comprises a time-release pharmaceutical or biological agent. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein releasing the intraocular shunt comprises rotating a deployment mechanism in a first direction to sequentially push the shunt disposed within the needle. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising continuing to rotate the deployment mechanism to subsequently engage with and retract the needle into a sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . A 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. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the inserting comprises piercing the Tenon's capsule of the eye. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising positioning an inlet end portion of the shunt in the anterior chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the shunt comprises a pharmaceutical or biological agent. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the pharmaceutical or biological agent comprises a coating on a surface of the shunt. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a portion of the shunt is impregnated with the pharmaceutical or biological agent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the pharmaceutical or biological agent comprises a time-release pharmaceutical or biological agent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein when released, a proximal end of the shunt is positioned within the sclera. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the releasing comprises positioning an inlet end portion of the shunt within an anterior chamber of the eye and an outlet end portion of the shunt within the intrascleral space. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein releasing the intraocular shunt comprises rotating a deployment mechanism in a first direction to sequentially push the shunt disposed within the needle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising continuing to rotate the deployment mechanism to subsequently engage with and retract the needle into a sleeve.