Glaucoma Treatment Device

Abstract

Methods and devices are adapted for implanting into the eye. An incision is formed in the cornea of the eye and a shunt is inserted through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye. The shunt includes a fluid passageway. The shunt is passed along a pathway from the anterior chamber through the scleral spur of the eye into the suprachoroidal space and positioned in a first position such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber.

1 . An ocular treatment device, comprising:
 an inflow port near a proximal end region configured to be in fluid communication with the anterior chamber of an eye;   an outflow port near a distal end region;   a fluid flow pathway communicating between the inflow port and the outflow port;   a plurality of openings in the distal end region extending through a wall of the device and communicating with the fluid flow pathway; and   a plurality of retention features in the distal end region surrounding the wall of the device,   wherein the device has an outer contour defined by a first radius of curvature of the proximal end region and a second radius of curvature of the distal end region, wherein the second radius of curvature is tighter than the first radius of curvature such that the proximal end region is directed away from a region of the cornea when the device is implanted in the eye.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second radius of curvature complements a radius of curvature of a portion of the eye posterior the cornea. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end region fluidly communicates with the anterior chamber and the distal end region fluidly communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide fluid flow between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal space when the device is implanted in the eye. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of retention features is selected from the group consisting of a protrusion, a wing, a tine, a prong, a barb and a ring. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of retention features is a ring structure. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the ring structure is formed of polyimide. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of retention features engages a portion of eye tissue. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings provide for outflow of fluid from the fluid flow pathway. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings are interspersed along a length of the device. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the device where the plurality of openings are interspersed is less than a length of the entire device. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer contour of the device in the distal end region is annular. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the outer contour of the device in the proximal end region is annular.