Patents Assigned to Glaukos Corporation
  • Patent number: 9962290
    Abstract: Devices and methods for treating intraocular pressure are disclosed. The devices include shunts for draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the uveoscleral outflow pathway, including the supraciliary space and the suprachoroidal space. The shunts are preferably implanted by ab interno procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Burns, David Haffner, Harold A. Heitzmann, Todd N. Fjield, Richard A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9827143
    Abstract: Shunt devices and a method for continuously decompressing elevated intraocular pressure in eyes affected by glaucoma by diverting excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal where post-operative patency can be maintained with an indwelling shunt device which surgically connects the canal with the anterior chamber. The shunt devices provide uni- or bi-directional flow of aqueous humor into Schlemm's canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Mary G. Lynch, Reay H. Brown
  • Patent number: 9730638
    Abstract: An implantable intraocular physiological sensor for measuring a physiological characteristic, such as intraocular pressure. The implantable intraocular physiological sensor may include a tubular main body configured to house one or more electrical components. The implantable intraocular physiological sensor may also include a sensor cap configured to be inserted into a first end of the tubular main body with a moisture barrier seal. The implantable intraocular physiological sensor may wirelessly transmit measurements to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: GLAUKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: David S. Haffner, Razi-ul M. Haque, Kensall D. Wise
  • Patent number: 9597230
    Abstract: Intraocular implants and delivery instruments are disclosed for treating ophthalmic conditions and ocular disorders, such as glaucoma. The implants are configured to extend between the anterior chamber of the eye and a fluid outflow path or physiologic outflow pathway, such as Schlemm's canal, of the eye for enhancing outflow of aqueous from the anterior chamber so as to reduce intraocular pressure. The implants can have features for anchoring the implant into the physiologic outflow pathway as well as preventing the walls of the physiologic outflow pathway from closing the outlet of the implants. The delivery instruments can be steerable so as to make implantation easier. Additionally, the delivery instruments can be configured to hold a plurality of implants so that multiple implants can be implanted through one incision without removing the delivery instrument from the incision between serial implantations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GLAUKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Steven Haffner, Gregory T Smedley, Hosheng Tu, Thomas W. Burns
  • Patent number: 9592151
    Abstract: Delivery devices, systems and methods are provided for inserting an implant into an eye. The delivery or inserter devices or systems can be used to dispose or implant an ocular stent or implant, such as a shunt, in communication with the suprachoroidal space, uveal scleral outflow pathway, uveoscleral outflow path or supraciliary space of the eye. The implant can drain fluid from an anterior chamber of the eye to a physiologic outflow path of the eye, such as, the suprachoroidal space, uveal scleral outflow pathway, uveoscleral outflow path or supraciliary space. Alternatively, or in addition, the implant can elute a drug or therapeutic agent. The delivery or inserter devices or systems can be used in conjunction with other ocular surgery, for example, but not limited to, cataract surgery through a preformed corneal incision, or independently with the inserter configured to make a corneal incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: GLAUKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary Rangel-Friedman, David S. Haffner
  • Patent number: 9572963
    Abstract: An embodiment of a system for shunting aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of an eye includes an implant having an elongated body made of biocompatible material and a delivery device. At least a portion of the elongated body is implantable between a sclera and a ciliary body while the elongated body resides entirely within the confines of the sclera and a cornea with the proximal end of the implant being configured to reside within an anterior chamber angle and a lumen extending from at least one inlet port of the implant, through at least a portion of the elongated body, to one or more outlet ports of the implant so as to drain fluid from the anterior chamber toward a choroid of the eye. The delivery device includes an elongated member with a curved distal end portion to deliver the implant using an ab interno procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Barbara A. Niksch, David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Richard A. Hill, Olav B. Bergheim
  • Patent number: 9561131
    Abstract: Surgical methods and related medical devices for treating glaucoma are disclosed. The method comprises trabecular bypass surgery, which involves bypassing diseased trabecular meshwork with the use of a stent implant. The stent implant is inserted into an opening created in the trabecular meshwork by a piercing member that is slidably advanceable through the lumen of the stent implant for supporting the implant insertion. The stent implant is positioned through the trabecular meshwork so that an inlet end of the stent implant is exposed to the anterior chamber of the eye and an outlet end is positioned into fluid collection channels at about an exterior surface of the trabecular meshwork or up to the level of aqueous veins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, Morteza Gharib, Thomas W. Burns, Richard Lindstrom
  • Patent number: 9554940
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering multiple ocular implants to reduce intraocular pressure are disclosed. The ocular implants can be implanted at multiple sites within a single human eye without requiring removal of the delivery apparatus from the eye. A system for delivering multiple ocular implants can include at least two implants preloaded within a delivery device and configured to be implanted within the eye, a metering device configured to transfer energy to the implants for delivery at selected locations within the eye, wherein the metering device is configured to meter a variable amount of energy for each implant delivery event in the eye. The system can further include an injector mechanism configured to serially engage and drive each of the implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: David Steven Haffner, John Joseph Cogger, Charles Raymond Kalina, Jr., Douglas Daniel Crimaldi
  • Patent number: 9492320
    Abstract: Shunt devices and a method for continuously decompressing elevated intraocular pressure in eyes affected by glaucoma by diverting excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal where post-operative patency can be maintained with an indwelling shunt device which surgically connects the canal with the anterior chamber. The shunt devices provide uni- or bi-directional flow of aqueous humor into Schlemm's canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Mary G. Lynch, Reay H. Brown
  • Patent number: 9301875
    Abstract: Intraocular stents and applicators are disclosed for treating glaucoma. The stents are configured to extend between the anterior chamber of the eye and Schlemm's canal for enhancing outflow of aqueous from the anterior chamber so as to reduce intraocular pressure. The stents can have features for anchoring the stent into Schlemm's canal as well as preventing the walls of Schlemm's canal from closing the outlet of the stents. The applicators can be steerable so as to make implantation easier. Additionally, the applicators can be configured to hold a plurality of stents so that multiple stents can be implanted through one incision without removing the applicator from the incision between serial implantations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GLAUKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Jason Artof, David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch
  • Patent number: 9220632
    Abstract: Methods of treating ocular disorders are disclosed, including: inserting an implant in eye tissue, using an instrument, such that an inlet portion of the implant is in an anterior chamber of an eye and an outlet portion of the implant is in a physiological outflow pathway; removing the instrument from the eye without removing the implant; and conducting fluid comprising a therapeutic substance through the implant and into the physiological outflow pathway. Another method includes inserting an instrument into a physiologic outflow pathway through which aqueous humor drains from an anterior chamber of an eye; separating first and second walls of tissues which comprise the physiologic outflow pathway by injecting a fluid comprising a drug from the instrument while the instrument remains in the physiologic outflow pathway; and withdrawing the instrument with said fluid remaining within the eye such that the drug has a therapeutic effect on the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: GLAUKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory Smedley, David Haffner, Hosheng Tu
  • Patent number: 9173775
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering multiple ocular implants to reduce intraocular pressure are disclosed. The ocular implants can be implanted at multiple sites within a single human eye without requiring removal of the delivery apparatus from the eye. A system for delivering multiple ocular implants can include at least two implants preloaded within a delivery device and configured to be implanted within the eye, a metering device configured to transfer energy to the implants for delivery at selected locations within the eye, wherein the metering device is configured to meter a variable amount of energy for each implant delivery event in the eye. The system can further include an injector mechanism configured to serially engage and drive each of the implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: GLAUKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Steven Haffner, Henrick K. Gille, Charles Raymond Kalina, Jr., John Joseph Cogger
  • Patent number: 9155654
    Abstract: Ocular implants, delivery devices and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One method involves inserting an implant on one side of an eye. The implant has an anchor on a distal end portion and an outlet opening that is disposed proximal of the anchor. The implant is advanced across the eye to the other side of the eye. The anchor is inserted into eye tissue on the other side of the eye. A therapeutic agent is eluted using the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: GLAUKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Jason Artof, David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch
  • Publication number: 20150065940
    Abstract: Delivery devices, systems and methods are provided for inserting an implant into an eye. The delivery or inserter devices or systems can be used to dispose or implant an ocular stent or implant, such as a shunt, in communication with the suprachoroidal space, uveal scleral outflow pathway, uveoscleral outflow path or supraciliary space of the eye. The implant can drain fluid from an anterior chamber of the eye to a physiologic outflow path of the eye, such as, the suprachoroidal space, uveal scleral outflow pathway, uveoscleral outflow path or supraciliary space. Alternatively, or in addition, the implant can elute a drug or therapeutic agent. The delivery or inserter devices or systems can be used in conjunction with other ocular surgery, for example, but not limited to, cataract surgery through a preformed corneal incision, or independently with the inserter configured to make a corneal incision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: GLAUKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary Rangel-Friedman, David S. Haffner
  • Patent number: 8882781
    Abstract: A method is provided for treatment of cataract in combination with a glaucoma procedure while maintaining the intraocular pressure by permitting aqueous to flow out of an anterior chamber of the eye through a surgically stented pathway. A trabecular stent is adapted for implantation within the trabecular meshwork of an eye such that intraocular liquid flows controllably from the anterior chamber of the eye to Schlemm's canal, bypassing the trabecular meshwork. Depending upon the specific treatment contemplated, pharmaceuticals may be utilized in conjunction with the trabecular stent enabling post-cataract healing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory T Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara Niksch, Hosheng Tu, Thomas W Burns
  • Patent number: 8814820
    Abstract: An ocular disorder treatment implant includes an anchor and a therapeutic agent. The implant has a body with first and second end portions. The implant is configured to transport fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye to a physiological outflow pathway of the eye. The body has at least one inlet opening at the first end portion and at least one outlet opening at the second end portion such that the inlet and outlet openings are in fluid communication and define an axis therebetween. The anchor extends substantially perpendicularly to a part of the axis between the openings, and at least one outlet opening is configured to be positioned in the physiological outflow pathway. One implant has two outlet openings, and the anchor is disposed closer to one of the outlet openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Olav B Bergheim, Morteza Gharib
  • Patent number: 8808219
    Abstract: Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are described. One method involves providing an elongated delivery device and an implant mounted at a distal end of the delivery device. An incision is formed in eye tissue and the implant is inserted the through the incision using the delivery device. The implant is implanted at a location communicating with a physiologic outflow pathway of an eye such that a distal end portion of the implant and a proximal end portion of the delivery device are relatively disposed in a non-linear orientation during implantation. In one method, the implant is non-linear after insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Olav B Bergheim, Morteza Gharib
  • Patent number: 8801648
    Abstract: Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One implant has an inlet portion configured to extend through a portion of a tissue of an eye and an outlet portion configured to extend into and along a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The implant provides a flow path between an anterior chamber of the eye and the physiologic outflow pathway. One implant includes a body having adjacent regions of differing cross-sectional dimensions configured to anchor the implant and/or stabilize at least a portion of the flow path through the implant. One method involves inserting a fiber optic in an eye, locating a distal end of the fiber optic at a physiologic outflow pathway through which aqueous humor drains from an anterior chamber of the eye, and delivering a material comprising a therapeutic agent along the fiber optic and into the physiologic outflow pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Olav B Bergheim, Morteza Gharib
  • Patent number: 8771217
    Abstract: Shunt devices and a method for continuously decompressing elevated intraocular pressure in eyes affected by glaucoma by diverting excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal where post-operative patency can be maintained with an indwelling shunt device which surgically connects the canal with the anterior chamber. The shunt devices provide uni- or bi-directional flow of aqueous humor into Schlemm's canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Mary G Lynch, Reay H Brown
  • Publication number: 20140081194
    Abstract: Devices and methods for treating intraocular pressure are disclosed. The devices include shunts for draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the uveoscleral outflow pathway, including the supraciliary space and the suprachoroidal space. The shunts are preferably implanted by ab interno procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GLAUKOS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas W. Burns, David Haffner, Harold A. Heitzmann, Todd N. Fjield, Richard A. Hill