Claims
- 1. A method of determining a pattern and extent of aqueous outflow in the eye, comprising monitoring the flow of aqueous humor in an anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the flow of aqueous humor comprises the steps of
a) measuring the flow of aqueous humor at a first anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow; and b) comparing the flow of aqueous humor at the first anatomical structure to the flow of aqueous humor at a second anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow to thereby monitor the flow of aqueous humor.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first anatomical structure is selected from the group comprising an anterior chamber, a trabecular meshwork, a Schlemm's canal, a collecting channel, an aqueous vein, and an episcleral vein.
- 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second anatomical structure is selected from the group comprising an anterior chamber, a trabecular meshwork, a Schlemm's canal, a collecting channel, an aqueous vein, and an episcleral vein.
- 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first anatomical structure is selected from the group comprising an anterior chamber, a trabecular meshwork, a Schlemm's canal, a collecting channel, an aqueous vein, and an episcleral vein and the second anatomical structure is selected from the group comprising a trabecular meshwork, a Schlemm's canal, a collecting channel, an aqueous vein, and an episcleral vein, and wherein the first anatomical structure is different from the second anatomical structure.
- 6. The method of claim 2, wherein monitoring the flow of aqueous humor occurs at one point in time.
- 7. The method of claim 2, wherein monitoring the flow of aqueous humor occurs over a period of time.
- 8. The method of claim 2, wherein the flow of aqueous humor is determined relative to observation of a monitored flow of a traceable component.
- 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the traceable component is administered topically.
- 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the traceable component is administered directly into the anterior chamber.
- 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the traceable component is administered directly into an anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow, selected from the group comprising an anterior chamber, a trabecular meshwork, a Schlemm's canal, a collecting channel, an aqueous vein, and an episcleral vein.
- 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the traceable component is selected from the group consisting of a colored dye, a radiopaque dye, a fluorescing compound, a radioisotope, and a gaseous precursor filled microsphere.
- 13. The method of claim 2, wherein monitoring the flow of aqueous humor is performed without the administration of an exogenous traceable component.
- 14. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the flow of aqueous humor comprises the steps of
a) measuring the flow of aqueous humor at a first location in an anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow; and b) comparing the flow of aqueous humor at the first location in an anatomical structure of the eye to the flow of aqueous humor at a second location in the same anatomical structure of the eye.
- 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the anatomical structure of the eye is selected from the group comprising an anterior chamber, a trabecular meshwork, a Schlemm's canal, a collecting channel, an aqueous vein, and an episcleral vein.
- 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the flow of aqueous humor is determined relative to observation of a monitored flow of a traceable component.
- 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the traceable component is administered topically.
- 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the traceable component is administered directly into the anterior chamber.
- 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the traceable component is administered directly into an anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow, selected from the group comprising an anterior chamber, a trabecular meshwork, a Schlemm's canal, a collecting channel, an aqueous vein, and an episcleral vein.
- 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the traceable component is selected from the group consisting of a colored dye, a radiopaque dye, a fluorescing compound, a radioisotope, and a gaseous precursor filled microsphere.
- 21. The method of claim 14, wherein monitoring the flow of aqueous humor is performed without the administration of an exogenous traceable component.
- 22. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the flow of aqueous humor comprises the steps of:
a) measuring the flow of aqueous humor at a first location in an anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow; and b) comparing the flow of aqueous humor at the first location to the flow of aqueous humor at the first location after a period of time.
- 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the anatomical structure is selected from the group comprising an anterior chamber, a trabecular meshwork, a Schlemm's canal, a collecting channel, an aqueous vein, and an episcleral vein.
- 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the flow of aqueous humor is determined relative to observation of a monitored flow of a traceable component.
- 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the traceable component is administered topically.
- 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the traceable component is administered directly into the anterior chamber.
- 27. The method of claim 24, wherein the traceable component is administered directly into an anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow, selected from the group comprising an anterior chamber, a trabecular meshwork, a Schlemm's canal, a collecting channel, an aqueous vein, and an episcleral vein.
- 28. The method of claim 24, wherein the traceable component is selected from the group consisting of a colored dye, a radiopaque dye, a fluorescing compound, a radioisotope, and a gaseous precursor filled microsphere.
- 29. The method of claim 22, wherein monitoring the flow of aqueous humor is performed without the administration of an exogenous traceable component.
- 30. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring step identifies an aqueous outflow obstruction in an eye of a patient with glaucoma.
- 31. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring step identifies a response to therapeutic intervention in an eye of a patient with glaucoma.
- 32. A kit comprising a traceable component for administration to an eye and instructions for the use of the traceable component for determining the pattern and extent of aqueous outflow in the eye, comprising monitoring the flow of aqueous humor in an anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow.
- 33. The kit of claim 32, wherein monitoring the flow of aqueous humor comprises the steps of
a) measuring the flow of aqueous humor at a first anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow; and b) comparing the flow of aqueous humor at the first anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow to the flow of aqueous humor at a second anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow.
- 34. The kit of claim 32, wherein monitoring the flow of aqueous humor comprises the steps of
a) measuring the flow of aqueous humor at a first anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow; and b) comparing the flow of aqueous humor at the first anatomical structure of the eye to the flow of aqueous humor at a different location in the same anatomical structure of the eye.
- 35. The kit of claim 32, wherein monitoring the flow of aqueous humor comprises the steps of:
a) measuring the flow of aqueous humor at a first location in an anatomical structure of the eye associated with aqueous humor flow; and b) comparing the flow of aqueous humor at the first location to the flow of aqueous humor at the first location after a period of time.
- 36. The kit of claim 32, wherein the traceable component is selected from the group consisting of a colored dye, a radiopaque dye, a fluorescing compound, a radioisotope, and a gaseous precursor filled microsphere.
- 37. The kit of claim 32, wherein the instructions for monitoring assist in identifying an aqueous outflow obstruction in the eye of a patient with glaucoma.
- 38. The kit of claim 32, wherein the instructions for monitoring assist in identifying a response to intervention in the eye of a patient with glaucoma.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/360,364 filed Feb. 28, 2002, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60360364 |
Feb 2002 |
US |