Delivery system and method of use for the eye

Abstract

An apparatus having an inserter device with a shaft disposed in an interior space and an intraocular implant adapted to self-retain to an inner wall of Schlemm's canal. The intraocular implant has a proximal portion sized and shaped to reside within an anterior chamber of the eye, the proximal portion having a proximal opening; a distal portion sized and shaped to reside within Schlemm's canal of the eye, the distal portion having a distal opening, and a passageway extending in a straight line from the proximal opening to the distal opening to conduct fluid from the anterior chamber to Schlemm's canal. The shaft of the inserter device is adapted to advance the intraocular implant out of the interior space and through an inner wall of Schlemm's canal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of maintaining an opening in a trabecular meshwork of a patient's eye to conduct fluid from an anterior chamber into Schlemm's canal of the eye, the method comprising:
 advancing an inserter device from the anterior chamber into the trabecular meshwork;   pushing a distal end of the implant into and through the inner wall of Schlemm's canal to establish a passageway extending in a straight line from a proximal opening of the implant to a distal opening of the implant; and   conducting fluid from the anterior chamber through the implant into Schlemm's canal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the conducting step comprises conducting fluid from the anterior chamber through the proximal opening and passageway. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the conducting step further comprises conducting fluid from the passageway through the distal opening into Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the implant comprises a surface facing the proximal opening, the method further comprising engaging the proximal surface with an inner wall of Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising engaging the trabecular meshwork with a distally-facing surface of the implant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising forming an opening in the trabecular meshwork, the method further comprising advancing the inserter device into the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein forming an opening comprises forming the opening with a cutting tool. 
     
     
         8 . A method of maintaining an opening in a trabecular meshwork of a patient's eye to conduct fluid from an anterior chamber into Schlemm's canal of the eye, the method comprising:
 advancing an inserter device from the anterior chamber into the trabecular meshwork;   pushing a distal portion of the implant into and through an opening in the inner wall of Schlemm's canal;   disposing a proximal portion of the implant in the anterior chamber, the proximal portion of the implant comprising a proximal opening; and   engaging an inner wall of Schlemm's canal on opposite sides of the opening with an implant surface.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising conducting fluid from the anterior chamber through the implant into Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the implant further comprises a passageway extending in a straight line from a proximal opening of the implant to a distal opening of the implant, the method further comprising conducting fluid from the anterior chamber through the proximal opening and passageway. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the conducting step further comprises conducting fluid from the passageway through the distal opening into Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising engaging the trabecular meshwork with a distally-facing surface of the implant. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising forming the opening in the trabecular meshwork, the method further comprising advancing the inserter device into the opening. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein forming the opening comprises forming the opening with a cutting tool. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 an ocular implant inserter configured to extend through an anterior chamber of an eye, and comprising an interior space; and   an intraocular implant disposed in the interior space, the intraocular implant comprising:
 a proximal portion sized and shaped to reside within the anterior chamber, the proximal portion comprising a proximal opening; 
 a distal portion sized and shaped to reside within Schlemm's canal, the distal portion comprising a distal opening; and 
 a passageway extending in a straight line from the proximal opening to the distal opening, 
   the ocular implant inserter being adapted to advance a distal end of the intraocular implant out of the interior space and into Schlemm's canal.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the distal portion of the intraocular implant further comprises a proximally-facing surface surrounding the distal opening. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the proximal portion of the intraocular implant further comprises a distally-facing surface configured to engage the trabecular meshwork within the anterior chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the distally-facing surface surrounds the proximal opening. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the proximal portion of the intraocular implant further comprises a flange configured to engage the trabecular meshwork within the anterior chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the intraocular implant comprises a tubular body. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the intraocular implant comprises a grommet. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the intraocular implant further comprises a middle portion having an outer cross-sectional dimension that is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the distal portion. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the middle portion is less than a cross-sectional dimension of the proximal portion. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 15  wherein ocular implant inserter further comprises a shaft abutting the intraocular implant within the interior space, the shaft being operable to move the ocular implant out of the inserter and into Schlemm's canal. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the ocular implant inserter further comprises a tool adapted to open an aperture in trabecular meshwork.