Glaucoma implant kit

Abstract

Surgical methods and related medical devices for treating glaucoma are disclosed. The method comprises trabecular bypass surgery, which involve bypassing diseased trabecular meshwork with the use of a seton implant. The seton implant is used to prevent a healing process known as filling in, which has a tendency to close surgically created openings in the trabecular meshwork. The surgical method and novel implant are addressed to the trabecular meshwork, which is a major site of resistance to outflow in glaucoma. In addition to bypassing the diseased trabecular meshwork at the level of the trabecular meshwork, existing outflow pathways are also used or restored. The seton implant is positioned through the trabecular meshwork so that an inlet end of the seton implant is exposed to the anterior chamber of the eye and an outlet end is positioned into fluid collection channels at about an exterior surface of the trabecular meshwork or up to the level of aqueous veins.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A glaucoma treatment kit, comprising: 
 an implant comprising: 
 an outflow portion sized and shaped to be received within Schlemm's canal of an eye; and  
 an inflow portion in fluid communication with the outflow portion, the inflow portion configured to be disposed in the anterior chamber of the eye;  
 wherein a long axis of the inflow portion is disposed at an angle to a long axis of the outflow portion; and  
   an applicator configured to be introduced into the anterior chamber, the applicator comprising a tube, wherein the tube releasably holds at least part of the implant.    
     
     
         2 . The glaucoma treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein the tube releasably holds at least part of the inflow portion of the implant.  
     
     
         3 . The glaucoma treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is substantially L-shaped.