Shunt device and method for treating glaucoma

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.

1 . An ocular device comprising: 
 a solid-walled tubular body for implantation into Schlemm's canal of a living eye wherein at least a portion of the tubular device comprises a non-linear aqueous humor directing channel;    wherein said tubular body is configured and dimensioned such that implantation of said tubular body in living tissue of said canal directs dynamic flow of aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of said living eye and through said non-linear aqueous humor directing channel toward episcleral veins; and    wherein the device comprises a therapeutic agent.    
   
   
       2 . An ocular device comprising: 
 a solid-walled tubular body for implantation into Schlemm's canal of a living eye wherein at least a portion of the tubular device comprises a non-linear aqueous humor directing channel;    wherein said tubular body is configured and dimensioned such that implantation of said tubular body in living tissue of said canal directs dynamic flow of aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of said living eye and through said non-linear aqueous humor directing channel toward episcleral veins; and    wherein the device comprises a V-shape.    
   
   
       3 . The ocular device of  claim 2 , wherein said tubular body comprises first and second elongate lumens.  
   
   
       4 . An ocular device comprising: 
 a solid-walled tubular body adapted to be received in Schlemm's canal of a living eye;    wherein the tubular body is dimensioned to allow non-linear fluid communication;    wherein said tubular body is configured and dimensioned such that implantation of said tubular body in living tissue of said canal directs dynamic flow of aqueous humor toward episcleral veins; and    wherein the device comprises a therapeutic agent.    
   
   
       5 . An ocular device comprising: 
 a solid-walled tubular body adapted to be received in Schlemm's canal of a living eye;    wherein the tubular body is dimensioned to allow non-linear fluid communication;    wherein said tubular body is configured and dimensioned such that implantation of said tubular body in living tissue of said canal directs dynamic flow of aqueous humor toward episcleral veins; and    wherein the device comprises a V-shape.    
   
   
       6 . An ocular device comprising: 
 a solid-walled tubular body for implantation into Schlemm's canal of an eye wherein at least a portion of the tubular device comprises a curved aqueous humor directing channel;    wherein said tubular body is configured and dimensioned such that implantation of said tubular body in living tissue of said canal directs dynamic flow of aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of said eye and through said curved aqueous humor directing channel toward aqueous veins; and    wherein the device is coated with a therapeutic agent.    
   
   
       7 . An ocular device comprising: 
 a solid-walled tubular body for implantation into Schlemm's canal of an eye wherein at least a portion of the tubular device comprises a curved aqueous humor directing channel;    wherein said tubular body is configured and dimensioned such that implantation of said tubular body in living tissue of said canal directs dynamic flow of aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of said eye and through said curved aqueous humor directing channel toward aqueous veins; and    wherein the device comprises an inlet section and a distal section, wherein the distal section extends at an angle between about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees with reference to the inlet section.    
   
   
       8 . The ocular device of  claim 7 , wherein said tubular body comprises a plurality of elongate lumens.  
   
   
       9 . An ocular device comprising: 
 a solid-walled tubular body adapted to be received in Schlemm's canal of an eye;    wherein the tubular body is dimensioned to allow non-linear fluid communication;    wherein said tubular body is configured and dimensioned such that implantation of said tubular body in living tissue of said canal directs dynamic flow of aqueous humor toward aqueous veins; and    wherein the device is coated with a therapeutic agent.    
   
   
       10 . An ocular device comprising: 
 a solid-walled tubular body adapted to be received in Schlemm's canal of an eye;    wherein the tubular body is dimensioned to allow non-linear fluid communication;    wherein said tubular body is configured and dimensioned such that implantation of said tubular body in living tissue of said canal directs dynamic flow of aqueous humor toward aqueous veins; and    wherein the device comprises an inlet section and a distal section, wherein the distal section extends at an angle between about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees with reference to the inlet section.    
   
   
       11 . An ocular device comprising: 
 a solid-walled tubular body for implantation into Schlemm's canal of an eye comprising a portion for insertion into said canal, and a portion sized to extend from a position within said canal to a position within an anterior chamber of said eye;    wherein said tubular body comprises a biocompatible material and is configured and dimensioned such that implantation of said tubular body in living tissue of said canal permits dynamic flow of aqueous humor toward an aqueous venous system of said eye; and    wherein said tubular body is coated with a therapeutic agent.    
   
   
       12 . An ocular device comprising: 
 a solid-walled tubular body for implantation into Schlemm's canal of an eye comprising a portion for insertion into said canal, and a portion sized to extend from a position within said canal to a position within an anterior chamber of said eye;    wherein said tubular body comprises a biocompatible material and is configured and dimensioned such that implantation of said tubular body in living tissue of said canal permits dynamic flow of aqueous humor toward an episcleral venous system of said eye; and    wherein said tubular body further comprises a stabilizing portion for stabilizing the tubular body in Schlemm's canal.    
   
   
       13 . An ocular device comprising: 
 a solid-walled tubular body for implantation into Schlemm's canal of an eye comprising a portion for insertion into said canal, and a portion sized to extend from a position within said canal to a position within an anterior chamber of said eye;    wherein said tubular body comprises a biocompatible material and is configured and dimensioned such that implantation of said tubular body in living tissue of said canal permits dynamic flow of aqueous humor toward a venous system of said eye, and    wherein said tubular body has an outer diameter of between 0.03 mm and 0.5 mm.