System and method of monitoring intraocular pressure and treating an ocular disorder

Abstract

The invention discloses a trabecular stent and methods for treating glaucoma. The stent may incorporate an intraocular pressure sensor comprising a compressible element that is implanted inside an anterior chamber of an eye, wherein at least one external dimension of the element correlates with intraocular pressure. In some embodiments, the sensor may be coupled to the stent. Also disclosed are methods of delivery of the stent and the sensor to the eye.

1 . A system for determining intraocular pressure, comprising:
 an implant configured to be implanted into eye tissue and comprising a body with an anchor, the anchor being configured to anchor the implant in the eye tissue;   a sensor coupled to the body and configured to be at least partially positioned in an anterior chamber of an eye to determine intraocular pressure; and   a delivery device configured to advance the implant and sensor from within the anterior chamber to an implantation site, the delivery device being configured to access the anterior chamber through a self-sealing incision.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a compressible element. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least one external dimension of the element correlates to intraocular pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a compressible chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the chamber is configured to change in at least one dimension in response to a change in intraocular pressure. 
     
     
         7 . A method of treating an ocular disorder, comprising:
 providing a delivery device configured to be insertable into an anterior chamber of an eye;   providing an implant coupled to a sensor and being held by the delivery device;   forming an opening to access the anterior chamber;   advancing the delivery device through the opening into the anterior chamber;   transporting the implant and sensor through a portion of the anterior chamber using the delivery device; and   positioning the implant so that it conducts fluid from the anterior chamber to a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye such that at least a portion of the sensor is positioned in the anterior chamber so as to be used for determining intraocular pressure.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  additionally comprising measuring intraocular pressure. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein forming an opening comprises forming the opening in a cornea of the eye or forming the opening proximate to a limbal area of the eye. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein positioning the implant comprises positioning the implant such that a portion of the implant extends along a portion of the physiologic outflow pathway. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein an outlet portion of the implant extends along the portion of the physiologic outflow pathway. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  additionally comprising exposing the sensor to aqueous humor. 
     
     
         13 . A system for treating an ocular disorder, comprising:
 an implant configured to be implanted into eye tissue such that when in use the implant conducts fluid from an anterior chamber of an eye to a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye;   a sensor coupled to the implant and configured to be at least partially positioned in the anterior chamber to determine intraocular pressure; and   a delivery device configured to advance the implant and sensor from within the anterior chamber to an implantation site, the delivery device being configured to access the anterior chamber through a self-sealing incision.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor comprises a compressible membrane material. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor comprises an enclosure with compressible fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the compressible fluid comprises a gas. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  additionally comprising a transmitter configured to transmit intraocular pressure data to a receiver. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein when in use a portion of the implant extends along a portion of the physiologic outflow pathway. 
     
     
         20 . A system for treating an ocular disorder, comprising:
 an implant configured to be implanted into eye tissue such that when in use the implant conducts fluid from an anterior chamber of an eye to a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye, the implant comprising an anchor member being located at a distal portion of an outflow end of the implant; and   a pressure sensor coupled to the implant.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the eye tissue comprises a trabecular meshwork. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the physiologic outflow pathway comprises Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the physiologic outflow pathway comprises an aqueous vein. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the implant comprises a biocompatible material in or on the implant, and wherein the biocompatible material is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrolidone, collagen, heparinized collagen, polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated polymer, fluorinated elastomer, flexible fused silica, polyolefin, polyester, polyimide, polysilison, silicone, polyurethane, Nylon, polypropylene, hydroxyapetite, precious metal, Nitinol, and stainless steel. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the implant has a surface coating configured to elute therapeutic drugs into aqueous humor in the anterior chamber. 
     
     
         26 . A system for treating an ocular disorder, comprising:
 an implant configured to be implanted into eye tissue such that when in use the implant conducts fluid from an anterior chamber of an eye to an existing physiologic outflow pathway of the eye, the implant comprising a sensor; and   a delivery device configured to advance the implant and the sensor from within the anterior chamber to an implantation site, the delivery device being configured to access the anterior chamber through an opening formed in the eye.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the existing physiologic outflow pathway comprises Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the existing physiologic outflow pathway comprises an aqueous vein. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the implantation site comprises a trabecular meshwork of the eye such that when the implant is implanted an inlet end of the implant is positioned in the anterior chamber, an outflow end of the implant is positioned beyond the trabecular meshwork, and a middle section of the implant is positioned about the trabecular meshwork. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the implant comprises a biocompatible material in or on the implant, and wherein the biocompatible material is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrolidone, collagen, heparinized collagen, polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated polymer, fluorinated elastomer, flexible fused silica, polyolefin, polyester, polyimide, polysilison, silicone, polyurethane, Nylon, polypropylene, hydroxyapetite, precious metal, Nitinol, and stainless steel. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the implant has a surface coating configured to elute therapeutic drugs into aqueous humor in the anterior chamber. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the sensor is coupled to the implant. 
     
     
         33 . A system for treating an ocular disorder, comprising:
 an implant configured to be implanted into eye tissue such that when in use the implant conducts fluid from an anterior chamber of an eye to an existing physiologic outflow pathway of the eye, the implant comprising an anchor member; and   a pressure sensor coupled to the implant.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the eye tissue comprises a trabecular meshwork. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the existing physiologic outflow pathway comprises Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the existing physiologic outflow pathway comprises an aqueous vein.