Uveoscleral drug delivery implant and methods for implanting the same

Abstract

Devices and methods for treating intraocular pressure are disclosed. The devices include drug delivery implants for treating ocular tissue. Optionally, the devices also include shunts for draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the uveoscleral outflow pathway, including the supraciliary space and the suprachoroidal space. The drug delivery implants can be implanted in ab interno or ab externo procedures.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An intraocular implant comprising:
 a proximal end;   a distal end;   a central plane extending from the proximal end to the distal end and bisecting the implant along a central longitudinal axis of the implant;   only one lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end generally in axial alignment with a second plane that is parallel to and offset from the central plane; and   a recess configured to receive a therapeutic agent to treat the eye, the recess generally in axial alignment with a third plane that is parallel to and offset from the central plane,   wherein the second plane is positioned on one side of the central plane and the third plane is positioned on another side of the central plane.   
     
     
         22 . The implant of  claim 21 , wherein the implant comprises a second recess that extends from one end of the implant towards the other end and generally along the second plane. 
     
     
         23 . The implant of  claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of the therapeutic agent is configured to be in fluid communication with the lumen. 
     
     
         24 . The implant of  claim 21 , further comprising a therapeutic agent disposed on an outer surface of the implant, said therapeutic agent configured to contact ocular tissue following implantation of the drug delivery implant. 
     
     
         25 . The implant of  claim 21 , wherein the therapeutic agent is configured to be compounded with a biodegradable polymer adapted to provide the desired rate of release. 
     
     
         26 . A method for reducing intraocular pressure in an eye of a mammal, comprising:
 introducing the ocular implant of  claim 21  through an incision in ocular tissue;   advancing the implant to an implantation site in a uveoscleral outflow pathway of the eye such that the proximal end of the implant is in communication with the anterior chamber of the eye and the distal end of the implant is in communication with the suprachoroidal space of the eye.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein introducing the implant comprises introducing the implant through an incision in the sclera of the eye made posteriorly of the limbus of the eye, the ocular implant advanced anteriorly into said position in the uveoscleral path. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein introducing the implant comprises introducing the implant across the anterior chamber of the eye through an incision at or near a limbus of the eye opposite from the implantation site, advancing the implant across the anterior chamber and posteriorly along the uveoscleral outflow pathway into said implantation site such that the distal end of the implant is located in the suprachoroidal space and the proximal end of the implant is located in the anterior chamber. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising conducting aqueous humor through the implant between the proximal and distal ends of the implant. 
     
     
         30 . The implant of  claim 21 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of timolol, atenolol, propranolol, metipranolol, betaxolol, carteolol, levobetaxolol, and levobunolol. 
     
     
         31 . An intraocular implant comprising:
 a proximal end;   a distal end;   a central longitudinal axis extending from a center of the proximal end to a center of the distal end;   only one lumen extending from the proximal end, the lumen including an opening having a center that is spaced away from the center of the proximal end; and   a recess extending from one or more of the proximal end and the distal end, the recess configured to receive a therapeutic agent to treat the eye, and the recess having a center that is spaced away from the center of the proximal end.   
     
     
         32 . The implant of  claim 31 , wherein the center of the lumen is spaced away from the center of the recess, wherein the center of the lumen is positioned along a plane, and wherein the center of the recess is positioned along the plane. 
     
     
         33 . An intraocular implant having an elongate body, the body comprising:
 a proximal end;   a distal end;   a central plane extending from the proximal end to the distal end and bisecting the implant along a central longitudinal axis of the implant;   a channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the channel comprising a channel opening, wherein at least a portion of the channel opening is aligned with a second plane that is parallel to and offset from the central plane; and   an opening configured to receive a therapeutic agent to treat the eye, wherein at least a portion of the opening is generally in alignment with a third plane that is parallel to and offset from the central plane,   wherein the second plane is positioned on one side of the central plane and the third plane is positioned on another side of the central plane.   
     
     
         34 . The implant of  claim 33 , wherein the channel is generally in axial alignment with the second plane. 
     
     
         35 . The implant of  claim 33 , wherein the implant comprises a second opening that extends from one end of the implant towards the other end and generally along the second plane. 
     
     
         36 . The implant of  claim 33 , wherein at least a portion of the therapeutic agent is configured to be in fluid communication with the channel. 
     
     
         37 . The implant of  claim 33 , further comprising a therapeutic agent disposed on an outer surface of the implant, said therapeutic agent configured to contact ocular tissue following implantation of the drug delivery implant. 
     
     
         38 . The implant of  claim 33 , wherein the therapeutic agent is configured to be compounded with a biodegradable polymer adapted to provide the desired rate of release. 
     
     
         39 . The implant of  claim 33 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of timolol, atenolol, propranolol, metipranolol, betaxolol, carteolol, levobetaxolol, and levobunolol.