Method and device for treating eye disease
Inventors
Kao, Brandon Wei-Hsiang • Battu, Adarsh Narayan • Jiang, Rui Jing
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12303429-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for lowering intraocular pressure is disclosed herein. In an example, the device includes a continuous plate structure that enables aqueous humor to flow from a first end to a second end. The first end has a maximum width that is narrower than a maximum width of the second end. The continuous plate structure includes an uppermost surface opposite a lowermost surface, the uppermost surface including a plurality of open cells. The continuous plate structure also includes a fluid pathway including a plurality of open channels formed into the lowermost surface. The open channels are configured in an intersecting grid pattern extending from the first end to the second end of the continuous plate structure. The open channels provide for the flow of aqueous humor, thereby reducing intraocular pressure.
Core Innovation
An implantable aqueous-humor drainage device is disclosed for reducing intraocular pressure within an eye, including for glaucoma. The device comprises a continuous plate structure sized to enable aqueous humor to flow from a first end to a second end along a fluid pathway. The fluid pathway includes a plurality of open channels formed into a lowermost surface and a plurality of open cells included on an uppermost surface.
The continuous plate structure includes a main body portion and an extension portion, where a longitudinal axis intersects proximal and distal ends of both the main body portion and the extension portion. The proximal end of the extension portion extends from the distal end of the main body portion, and the main body portion has a maximum width greater than the maximum width of the extension portion. The fluid pathway is configured as an intersecting grid pattern extending from the first end to the second end.
The first end is sized and configured to be inserted into an anterior chamber of the eye, and the second end is sized and configured to be inserted into at least one of an uveoscleral outflow pathway, Schlemm's canal, a collector channel, a supraciliary space, a trabecular meshwork, a subconjunctival space, or a suprachoroidal space. By enabling aqueous humor to flow along the fluid pathway from the first end to the second end, the device reduces intraocular pressure within the eye. Further disclosed embodiments include geometric and structural variations, including shapes and stacked plate structures, and adding penetrating elements to transfer fluid between a plate reservoir and ocular locations.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines an implantable continuous plate apparatus with quantified geometric relationships and an ocular routing function for aqueous humor to reduce intraocular pressure. Inventive features explicitly recited in the independent claim include a main body and extension configuration with a longitudinal axis and a width relationship, paired open cells and intersecting-grid open channels, and specified insertion destinations for the first and second ends to enable aqueous humor flow and reduce intraocular pressure.
Continuous plate apparatus with aqueous humor flow pathway from anterior chamber to outflow location
The apparatus includes a continuous plate structure sized and configured to enable aqueous humor to flow from a first end to a second end, with an uppermost surface including a plurality of open cells and a fluid pathway including a plurality of open channels formed into the lowermost surface; the open channels are configured in an intersecting grid pattern extending from the first end to the second end.
Main body and extension geometry with longitudinal axis and width relationship
The continuous plate structure comprises a main body portion and an extension portion arranged such that a longitudinal axis intersects the proximal and distal ends of both portions, and the proximal end of the extension portion extends from the distal end of the main body portion; the main body portion has a maximum width (normal to the longitudinal axis) greater than the maximum width of the extension portion.
First and second end insertion into specified ocular pathways to reduce intraocular pressure
The first end is sized and configured to be inserted into an anterior chamber of the eye, and the second end is sized and configured to be inserted into at least one of an uveoscleral outflow pathway, Schlemm's canal, a collector channel, a supraciliary space, a trabecular meshwork, a subconjunctival space, or a suprachoroidal space, wherein the continuous plate structure is configured to enable aqueous humor to flow along the fluid pathway from the first end to the second end, thereby reducing intraocular pressure within the eye.
Interdependent refinements of the intersecting grid pattern and implantation orientation
Dependent refinements include configuring the intersecting grid pattern as a hexagonal grid pattern and configuring implantation with an uppermost surface facing the conjunctiva and a lowermost surface facing the sclera.
Material selection and quantified thickness constraints for the continuous plate
Dependent refinements specify forming the continuous plate structure from at least one selected from alumina, silicon nitride, silica, hafnium oxide, titanium nitride, or titanium carbide, and specifying a thickness ranging from 1 nm to 1,000 nm.
Across the independent claim and its dependent refinements shown, the coverage centers on an implantable continuous plate with open cells and intersecting-grid open channels forming a fluid pathway for aqueous humor flow, specific main body/extension geometry with width relationship, and defined insertion locations for the first and second ends to reduce intraocular pressure; additional refinements specify grid geometry, implantation orientation, candidate materials, and thickness range.
Stated Advantages
Reduces intraocular pressure within the eye by enabling aqueous humor to flow along the fluid pathway from the first end to the second end.
Documented Applications
Implantation for lowering intraocular pressure within an eye, including for glaucoma, using a device inserted with the first end into an anterior chamber and the second end into at least one of specified outflow pathways or spaces.
A rabbit study described as showing tolerability after implantation beneath the conjunctiva, including minimal ocular irritation and largely minimal tissue reaction on histology.
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