Ocular implant delivery system and methods thereof

Abstract

Systems and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One system has a delivery instrument, with a non-linear axis, configured to be inserted into an anterior chamber of an eye and moved to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The delivery instrument carries an implant that has a distal end sized for insertion into tissue such that aqueous humor drains from the anterior chamber to the physiologic outflow pathway. One method involves inserting a non-linear portion of a delivery device into the anterior chamber to position an implant within the eye. Another method involves using a delivery device with a curved distal portion to implant an implant at a location communicating with the physiologic outflow pathway. The delivery can be through a corneal incision and the implant can comprise a drug.

1 .- 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A system comprising:
 a stent comprising a biocompatible material,
 wherein the biocompatible material comprises a titanium alloy, 
 wherein the stent comprises a snorkel and a main body portion, 
 wherein the snorkel comprises a proximal inlet and a shank, 
 wherein the shank is adapted to extend at least partially through a trabecular meshwork of the eye upon implantation, 
 wherein the main body portion is adapted to be positioned at least partially within Schlemm's canal of the eye upon implantation, 
 wherein the proximal inlet is adapted to be positioned in an anterior chamber of an eye upon implantation, 
 wherein the main body portion comprises an outer curved surface and an inner curved surface which defines an open face channel; and 
   a delivery apparatus adapted to hold the stent prior to implantation and to deploy the stent to facilitate implantation of the stent,
 wherein the delivery apparatus comprises a handpiece and an elongate tip connected to a distal end of the handpiece, 
 wherein a distal portion of the elongate tip is configured to be placed through a corneal incision and into an anterior chamber of the eye and then advanced to an implantation location, 
 wherein the distal portion of the elongate tip of the delivery apparatus is curved, and 
 wherein the delivery apparatus comprises a deployment mechanism to deploy the stent. 
   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the main body portion of the stent is angled relative to the proximal end portion. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the main body portion of the stent comprises multiple ports. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the stent comprises a heparin coating. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the deployment mechanism comprises a push-pull type plunger. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the distal portion of the elongate tip is flexible. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a stent comprising a biocompatible material,
 wherein the biocompatible material comprises a titanium alloy, 
 wherein the stent comprises a proximal end portion and a main body portion, 
 wherein the proximal end portion is adapted to be positioned in an anterior chamber of an eye upon implantation, 
 wherein the main body portion is adapted to be positioned at least partially within and along Schlemm's canal of the eye upon implantation, 
 wherein the proximal end portion comprises an inlet, 
 wherein the main body portion comprises at least one first curved surface and at least one second curved surface which define an open face channel; and 
   a delivery apparatus adapted to hold the stent prior to implantation and to deploy the stent to facilitate implantation of the stent,
 wherein the delivery apparatus comprises a handpiece and a distal portion, 
 wherein the distal portion of the delivery apparatus is configured to be placed through a corneal incision and into the anterior chamber of the eye and then advanced near an implantation location, and 
 wherein the distal portion of the delivery apparatus is curved. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the main body portion of the stent is angled relative to the proximal end portion. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the main body portion of the stent comprises multiple ports. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the delivery apparatus comprises a push-pull type plunger. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the distal portion of the delivery apparatus is flexible. 
     
     
         16 . A method of treating glaucoma comprising:
 forming an incision in an eye to access an anterior chamber of the eye;   inserting a delivery applicator through the incision and into the anterior chamber of the eye, the delivery applicator comprising an elongate member having a distal end portion configured to retain stent therein prior to implantation,   wherein the delivery applicator has a curved distal portion;   guiding the stent out of the elongate member of the delivery applicator such that a first portion of the stent is positioned into and along a length of Schlemm's canal of the eye and a second portion of the stent is positioned in the anterior chamber; and   removing the delivery applicator from the eye,   wherein the stent is made of biocompatible titanium alloy material,   wherein the second portion of the stent comprises an inlet,   wherein the first portion of the stent comprises at least one first curved surface and at least one second curved surface which define an open face channel.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein guiding the stent comprises pushing the stent device out of the elongate member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the elongate member of the delivery applicator comprises a wire. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the distal end portion of the elongate member is flexible. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the stent comprises multiple ports. 
     
     
         21 . A method of treating glaucoma comprising:
 forming an incision in an eye to access an anterior chamber of the eye;   inserting a delivery applicator through the incision and into the anterior chamber of the eye, the delivery applicator comprising an elongate member having a distal end portion configured to retain a stent therein prior to implantation,   wherein the distal end portion of the elongate member is curved;   guiding the stent out of the elongate member of the delivery applicator such that a first portion of the stent is positioned into and along a length of Schlemm's canal of the eye and a second portion of the stent is positioned in the anterior chamber; and   removing the delivery applicator from the eye,   wherein the second portion of the stent comprises a proximal inlet,   wherein the first portion of the stent comprises an outer curved surface and an inner curved surface which define an open face channel.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein guiding the stent comprises pushing the stent out of the elongate member. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the elongate member of the delivery applicator comprises a wire. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the stent comprises multiple ports.