Ocular treatment devices and related methods of use

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for ocular treatment are provided. The apparatus can comprise an outer sheath and a microcannula movably housed within the outer sheath and having a proximal end, a distal end, a cavity, and a central longitudinal axis. The apparatus can include a first protrusion extending circumferentially inward at a distal end of the outer sheath and a second protrusion located on an outer circumferential surface of the microcannula. The apparatus can include multiple orifices disposed on the microcannula distal end, each of the orifices defining a channel extending transverse to the central longitudinal axis and configured to deliver a substance radially outwardly from the distal tip of the microcannula. The distal tip can extend out from a distal opening of the outer sheath when the microcannula is in an extended position and can be housed within the outer sheath when the microcannula is in a retracted position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical device comprising:
 an outer sheath;   one or more first protrusions extending circumferentially inward at a distal end of the outer sheath;   a microcannula movably housed within the outer sheath and having a proximal end, a distal tip, a cavity and a central longitudinal axis;   one or more second protrusions located on an outer circumferential surface of the microcannula; and   a plurality of orifices disposed on the distal tip of the microcannula, each orifice defining a channel extending to the central longitudinal axis, and each orifice configured to deliver a substance radially outwardly from the distal tip of the microcannula,   wherein the distal tip of the microcannula is configured to extend out from a distal opening of the outer sheath when the microcannula is in an extended position and to be housed within the outer sheath when the microcannula is in a retracted position.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a handle coupled to the proximal end of the microcannula; and   a control mechanism coupled to the handle, the control mechanism configured to extend and retract the distal tip of the microcannula out of and into the opening of the outer sheath, respectively.   
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 2 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the microcannula, the actuator configured to extend the distal tip of the microcannula out of the opening of the outer sheath. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator is configured to extend the distal tip of the microcannula out of the opening of the outer sheath upon receiving a threshold amount of force. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the distal tip is configured to be extended to penetrate trabecular meshwork of an eye while the outer sheath remains outside of the trabecular meshwork. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the handle comprises a track, and wherein the actuator comprises a slide disposed within the track and configured to linearly slide along the track. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 6 , wherein a first portion of the slide is one of bent and folded, and wherein the first portion of the slide extends radially outwardly of the central longitudinal axis through the track. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 6 , wherein the track has a width perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis and a plurality of narrowed sections defined by opposing pairs of flanges protruding inwardly towards the central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 8 , wherein an axial spacing between adjacent pairs of flanges correlates to an amount of the substance to be injected via the microcannula. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein a first orifice among the plurality of orifices is spaced 180 degrees apart from a second orifice among the plurality of orifices. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of orifices are disposed at the same distance from the proximal tip on the central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the substance is a viscoelastic fluid, wherein the handle comprises a reservoir containing the viscoelastic fluid and an actuator configured to eject the viscoelastic fluid radially outwardly through the orifices. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein for each of the plurality of orifices, a radially outer end is positioned distal to a radially inner end, such that each of the orifices is configured to deliver the substance distally and radially outwardly from the microcannula. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein one of:
 the first and second protrusions each include multiple protrusions equidistantly spaced apart;   the second protrusions are proximal to the first protrusions when the distal tip of the microcannula is in the retracted position; and   the second protrusions are distal to the first protrusions when the distal tip of the microcannula is in the extended position.   
     
     
         15 . A medical device comprising:
 a microcannula having a proximal end, a distal tip, a cavity and a central longitudinal axis;   an outer sheath movably housed around the microcannula;   a first protrusion extending circumferentially inward at a distal end of the outer sheath;   a second protrusion located on an outer circumferential surface of the microcannula;   a handle coupled to the proximal end of the microcannula; and   a plurality of orifices disposed on the distal tip of the microcannula, each orifice defining a channel extending to the central longitudinal axis, and each orifice configured to deliver a substance outwardly from the distal tip of the microcannula,   wherein the distal tip of the microcannula is configured to extend out from a distal opening of the outer sheath when the outer sheath is in a retracted position and to be housed within the outer sheath when the outer sheath is in an extended position.   
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the outer sheath is configured to move in a proximal direction when a distal portion of the outer sheath is pressed against trabecular meshwork of an eye. 
     
     
         17 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein one of:
 a first orifice among the plurality of orifices is spaced 180 degrees apart from a second orifice among the plurality of orifices;   the plurality of orifices are disposed at the same distance from the proximal tip on the central longitudinal axis; and   for each of the plurality of orifices, a radially outer end is positioned distal to a radially inner end, such that each of the orifices is configured to deliver the substance distally and radially outwardly from the microcannula.   
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the substance is a viscoelastic fluid, wherein the handle comprises a reservoir containing the viscoelastic fluid and an actuator configured to eject the viscoelastic fluid radially outwardly through the orifices. 
     
     
         19 . A method of delivering fluid, comprising:
 inserting the medical device of  claim 1  through an incision in an anterior chamber of an eye;   extending the distal tip of the microcannula out of the distal opening of the outer sheath, through a trabecular meshwork of the eye and into a Schlemm's canal of the eye; and   delivering fluid through the microcannula and out of the plurality of orifices positioned within the Schlemm's canal.   
     
     
         20 . A method of delivering fluid, comprising:
 inserting the medical device of  claim 15  through an incision in an anterior chamber of an eye;   pressing a distal portion of the outer sheath against a trabecular meshwork of the eye;   moving the outer sheath in a proximal direction;   advancing the distal tip through the trabecular meshwork and into a Schlemm's canal of the eye; and   delivering fluid through the microcannula and out of the plurality of orifices positioned within the Schlemm's canal.