Claims
- 1. An apparatus for treating ocular disease comprising: a locating means for non-invasively locating Schlemm's Canal in an eye, and a microsurgical device coupled with the locating means so as to advance the microsurgical device into a tissue space identified with Schlemm's Canal.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microsurgical device is under control by the locating means.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locating means comprises a device for ultrasound examination of the sclera.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locating means comprises an ultrasound imaging system.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locating means comprises a non-imaging ultrasound detection system.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locating means comprises an ultrasound device for examination of the sclera with an ultrasound frequency greater than 10 MHz.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locating means comprises an ultrasound device for examination of the sclera with an ultrasound frequency of at least 40 MHz.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the locating means utilizes an ultrasound contrast tracer introduced into the aqueous humor.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locating means comprises a non-imaging ultrasound device for examination of the sclera.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the locating means comprises a transducer assembly with signaling means for directing the transducer location.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locating means comprises an optical imaging device for non-invasively locating Schlemm's Canal in the eye.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the optical imaging device comprises a high intensity white light illumination source.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the optical imaging device comprises an optically coherent illumination source.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the optical imaging device comprises a fiber optic device.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the optical imaging device utilizes detection via visible wavelengths of light.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the optical imaging device utilizes detection via infrared wavelengths .
- 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the optical imaging device utilizes optical imaging of a fluorescent tracer in the aqueous humor.
- 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a tissue contacting surface of the locating means is curved to approximate the surface of the eye.
- 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a tissue contacting surface of the locating means incorporates a circumferential raised portion to maintain placement of a coupling fluid over a transducer face to aid in energy transfer between the locating means and the tissue surface.
- 20. An apparatus for treating ocular disease comprising: a non-invasive locating means for locating Schlemm's Canal in the eye, and a microcannula coupled with the locating means so as to slidably advance into a tissue space identified with Schlemm's Canal.
- 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the microcannula has an outer diameter of less than 200 microns.
- 22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the microcannula is coupled to the locating means at an angle between 0 and 30 degrees from the plane of Schlemm's Canal in the eye.
- 23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein an angle of the microcannula with respect to the locating means is adjustable.
- 24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the locating means and the microcannula are disposed within a unitary body.
- 25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the microcannula is coupled to the locating means by way of a clip mechanism.
- 26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein a distal portion of the microcannula is curved to accommodate a curvature of Schlemm's Canal.
- 27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the microcannula incorporates a cutting tip to penetrate a sclera of the eye.
- 28. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the microcarmula is comprised of an outer sheath and an inner cannula.
- 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the inner cannula incorporates a cutting tip to penetrate a sclera of the eye.
- 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the outer sheath is comprised of a rigid tube.
- 31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the outer sheath is comprised of a flexible tube.
- 32. An apparatus for treating ocular disease comprising:
a non-invasive locating means for locating Schlemm's Canal, a microcannula which is linked with the locating means to advance the microcannula into an identified tissue space for Schlemm's Canal, and a dilation mechanism at the tip of the microcannula.
- 33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the dilation mechanism is comprised of an expandable balloon.
- 34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the dilation mechanism is comprised of an expandable tip on the microcannula.
- 35. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the dilation mechanism is comprised of a series of nested cannulae having successively larger diameters.
- 36. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the dilation mechanism is comprised of an elongate rod having steps of successively increasing diameters.
- 37. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the microcannula is coupled coaxially with the locating means.
- 38. An apparatus for treating ocular disease comprising:
a non-invasive locating means for locating Schlemm's Canal, a microcannula which is linked with the locating means to advance the microcannula into an identified tissue space for Schlemm's Canal, and an implant which is delivered into Schlemm's Canal.
- 39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the implant comprises an expandable stent.
- 40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the implant comprises microparticles.
- 41. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the implant comprises a drug releasing material.
- 42. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the stent comprises a biodegradable material.
- 43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the microparticles comprise a biodegradable material.
- 44. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the drug releasing material contains a drug effective in the treatment of glaucoma.
- 45. An apparatus for treating ocular disease comprising:
a non-invasive locating means for locating Schlemm's Canal, a microcannula which is linked with the locating means to advance the microcannula into an identified tissue space for Schlemm's Canal, and a construct which is delivered through the microcannula to effect a surgical procedure on a trabecular meshwork of the eye.
- 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the construct comprises a surgical tool for cutting tissues.
- 47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the construct comprises a fiber optic device.
- 48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the fiber optic device is an imaging fiber.
- 49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the fiber optic device is an illuminating fiber.
- 50. A method for surgically accessing Schlemm's Canal for treating ocular disease, comprising:
locating Schlemm's Canal in an eye via non-invasive means; advancing a minimally invasive surgical device into the canal guided by the locating means; delivering a substance for the treatment of the ocular disease.
- 51. The method of claim 50, wherein Schlemm's Canal is located using ultrasound imaging.
- 52. The method of claim 50, wherein Schlemm's Canal is located using optical means.
- 53. The method of claim 50, wherein ultrasound imaging is utilized.
- 54. The method of claim 50, wherein non-imaging ultrasound guidance is utilized.
- 55. The method of claim 52, wherein high intensity white light is utilized.
- 56. The method of claim 52, wherein a coherent light source is utilized.
- 57. The method of claim 52, wherein visible light detection is utilized.
- 58. The method of claim 52, wherein infrared light detection is utilized.
- 59. The method of claim 50, wherein the surgical device is a cannula between 50 and 250 microns in diameter.
- 60. The method of claim 50, wherein the substance is a viscoelastic material.
- 61. The method of claim 50, wherein the substance is a gas.
- 62. The method of claim 50, wherein the substance is a fluorocarbon compound.
- 63. The method of claim 50, wherein the substance comprises a drug releasing substance.
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/172,693, filed Dec. 10, 1999.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60172693 |
Dec 1999 |
US |