Device and instrument for treatment of elevated intraocular pressure

Abstract

Apparatus for relieving intraocular pressure in an eye of a subject that includes a plurality of stents, a delivery vehicle for inserting the stents together through a single incision in the cornea of the eye to a position in the anterior chamber adjacent to the trabecular meshwork and an actuator that can be activated from outside of the eye for pushing the stents out of the delivery vehicle and into a plurality of anatomical spaces in the eye from which aqueous from the anterior chamber can be drained. Also, methods for use of the apparatus for controlling the flow of aqueous from the anterior chamber.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for relieving intraocular pressure in an eye of a subject, the apparatus comprising a multi-sided body made of biocompatible material suitable for implanting into the eye, the body comprising opposing first and second sides with the first side having at least one opening and the second side comprising an array of tubular projections projecting therefrom, the at least one opening on the first side of the body being in fluid communication with the array of projections projecting from the second side of the body, the body and the plurality of projections being sized and configured such that the apparatus is insertable into the anterior chamber of the eye through a single incision and is implantable into a position in the anterior chamber of the eye with the second side of the body contacting a trabecular meshwork of the eye and with each projection of the array of projections projecting through the trabecular meshwork and into an anatomical space selected from the group consisting of a subconjunctival space, Schlemm's canal, a suprachoroidal space and a combination thereof so as to stabilize and retain the implant in the position in the anterior chamber and to permit drainage of fluid from the anterior chamber into the anatomical space. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , comprising means for delivering the body into the eye through a single incision in the anterior chamber and for implanting the body into the position in the anterior chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the means comprises forceps. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein each projection in the array of projections has a sharpened tip for penetrating in and through the trabecular meshwork. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein each projection in the array of projections has a conical shape and projects from the second side of the body at an acute or obtuse angle. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein at least a subset of the array of projections projects into the subconjunctival space and the apparatus comprises means for temporarily occluding drainage of fluid passing through at least one projection in the subset of projections without occluding drainage of fluid passing through other projections in the array. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein at least a first projection in the array of projections projects into the subconjunctival space, at least a second projection in the array of projections projects into the suprachoroidal space and at least a third projection in the array of projections projects into Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for relieving intraocular pressure in an eye of a subject comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing the apparatus of  claim 13 ;   (b) inserting a first end of the delivery means carrying the apparatus through a single incision in the cornea of the eye to a position in the anterior chamber of the eye that is adjacent the trabecular meshwork; and   (c) implanting the apparatus into a position in the anterior chamber of the eye with the second side of the body contacting a trabecular meshwork of the eye and with each projection of the array of projections projecting through the trabecular meshwork and into an anatomical space selected from the group consisting of a subconjunctival space, Schlemm's canal, a suprachoroidal space and a combination thereof so as to stabilize and retain the implant in the position in the anterior chamber and to permit drainage of fluid from the anterior chamber into the anatomical space.