Patents Assigned to AqueSys, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9592154
    Abstract: An intraocular shunt can be manufactured using a system that includes a liquid bath and a wire, which is moved through the bath. When moved through the bath, the wire is coated with a material, such as gelatin. For example, the liquid bath can have a top layer, including water, and a bottom layer, including gelatin. The coated wire passes through an aperture formed in a plate component of the system. The gelatin can be dried on the wire in a humidity-controlled space, thereby forming the shunt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Laszlo O. Romoda, Brian Hamstrom, Partha Chandrakant, Christopher Horvath
  • Patent number: 9393153
    Abstract: Intraocular pressure can be reduced by insertion of an intraocular shunt in the eye such that it forms a drainage pathway between the anterior chamber and a region of lower pressure. A hollow shaft can be advanced through the anterior chamber with the hollow shaft (a) having a beveled tip at a distal end of the hollow shaft and (b) holding an intraocular shunt with a proximal end of the shunt within the hollow shaft. The sclera can be penetrated with the hollow shaft. A beveled surface of the beveled tip can be oriented such that the beveled surface faces toward the Tenon's capsule when the beveled tip passes out of the sclera. After the beveled tip passes out of the sclera, at least a portion of the shunt can be advanced from the hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Horvath, Laszlo O. Romoda, Richard A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9326891
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for deploying intraocular shunts without the use of an optical apparatus that contacts an eye, such as a goniolens. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve inserting into an eye a deployment device configured to hold an intraocular shunt, determining that a distal portion of the device is properly positioned within the eye without use of an optical apparatus that contacts the eye, and deploying the shunt from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Horvath, Laszlo O. Romoda, Guenther Grabner, Herbert A. Reitsamer
  • Patent number: 9283116
    Abstract: An intraocular shunt deployment device can release an intraocular shunt into an eye using a deployment mechanism that coordinates action between a pusher component, a shaft component, and a housing of the device. The deployment mechanism causes axial movement of the components in response to a rotational input force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Laszlo O. Romoda, Christopher Horvath
  • Patent number: 9271869
    Abstract: Glaucoma can be treated by implanting an intraocular shunt into an eye. The eye has an anterior chamber and sclera. A shunt can be placed into the eye to establish fluid communication between the anterior chamber of the eye and a space between layers of the sclera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Horvath, Laszlo O. Romoda, Cory Anderson
  • Patent number: 9192516
    Abstract: Methods are provided for using an intraocular shunt deployment device to deploy an intraocular shunt from the device and into an eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Horvath, Laszlo O. Romoda
  • Patent number: 9125723
    Abstract: Methods and devices for adjusting or configuring the flow rate of an intraocular shunt are provided whereby hypotony can be avoided by increasing the flow rate through the device. In some embodiments, the device is a shunt that can have a first flow that can be modified to a second flow by modifying the shunt, such as by cutting the shunt. Additionally, one or more dissolvable portions can be present to provide an initial flow restriction and subsequent increase in flow over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Horvath, Laszlo O. Romoda, Brian Hamstrom, Ronald D. Bache, Guenther Grabner, Herbert A. Reitsamer
  • Patent number: 9113994
    Abstract: An intraocular shunt can be manufactured using a system that includes a liquid bath and a wire, which is moved through the bath. When moved through the bath, the wire is coated with a material, such as gelatin. For example, the liquid bath can have a top layer, including water, and a bottom layer, including gelatin. The coated wire passes through an aperture formed in a plate component of the system. The gelatin can be dried on the wire in a humidity-controlled space, thereby forming the shunt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Laszlo O. Romoda, Brian Hamstrom, Partha Chandrakant, Christopher Horvath
  • Patent number: 9095411
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices for deploying intraocular shunts without the use of an optical apparatus that contacts an eye, such as a goniolens. In certain embodiments, devices of the invention include a housing including a proximal portion and a distal portion, in which the distal portion is movable within the proximal portion, a deployment mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing, and a hollow shaft coupled to the deployment mechanism, in which the shaft is configured to hold an intraocular shunt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Horvath, Laszlo O. Romoda, Guenther Grabner, Herbert A. Reitsamer
  • Patent number: 9095413
    Abstract: An intraocular shunt can be manufactured using a system that includes a liquid bath and a wire, which is moved through the bath. When moved through the bath, the wire is coated with a material, such as gelatin. For example, the liquid bath can have a top layer, including water, and a bottom layer, including gelatin. The coated wire passes through an aperture formed in a plate component of the system. The gelatin can be dried on the wire in a humidity-controlled space, thereby forming the shunt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Laszlo O. Romoda, Brian Hamstrom, Partha Chandrakant, Christopher Horvath
  • Patent number: 9017276
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to intraocular shunts, and in particular, to intraocular shunts configured to form a drainage pathway between the anterior chamber and the intra-Tenon's space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Horvath, Laszlo O. Romoda, Richard A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8974511
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for treating closed angle glaucoma. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve inserting into an eye a deployment device configured to hold an intraocular shunt, using the device to re-open an at least partially closed anterior chamber angle of an eye, and deploying the shunt from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Horvath, Laszlo O. Romoda
  • Patent number: 8852137
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for implanting a soft gel shunt in the suprachoroidal space. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve inserting into the eye a hollow shaft configured to hold a soft gel intraocular shunt, deploying the soft gel shunt from the hollow shaft such that the shunt forms a passage from the anterior chamber of the eye to the suprachoroidal space of the eye, and withdrawing the hollow shaft from the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Horvath, Ronald D. Bache, Laszlo O. Romoda, Guenther Grabner, Herbert A. Reitsamer, John R. Samples
  • Patent number: 8852256
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the reduction of intraocular pressure, and in particular, to methods for treating glaucoma by insertion of an intraocular shunt in the eye such that it forms a drainage pathway between the anterior chamber and the intra-Tenon's space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Horvath, Laszlo O. Romoda, Richard A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8852136
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to intraocular shunts, and in particular, to intraocular shunts configured to form a drainage pathway between the anterior chamber and the intra-scleral space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Horvath, Laszlo O. Romoda, Cory Anderson
  • Patent number: 8828070
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices for deploying intraocular shunts without the use of an optical apparatus that contacts an eye, such as a goniolens. In certain embodiments, devices of the invention include a housing, in which a distal end of the housing includes a protrusion, a deployment mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing, and a hollow shaft coupled to the deployment mechanism, in which the shaft is configured to hold an intraocular shunt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Laszlo O. Romoda, Christopher Horvath, Guenther Grabner, Herbert A. Reitsamer
  • Publication number: 20140243730
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices and methods of implanting an intraocular shunt into an eye. In certain aspects, methods of the invention involve creating an opening in the sclera, and positioning a shunt in the anterior chamber of the eye such that the shunt terminates via the opening in the intra-scleral space, thereby facilitating fluid flow through both the opening and the intra-scleral space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Horvath
  • Publication number: 20140236066
    Abstract: Methods and devices for adjusting or configuring the flow rate of an intraocular shunt are provided whereby hypotony can be avoided by increasing the flow rate through the device. In some embodiments, the device is a shunt that can have a first flow that can be modified to a second flow by modifying the shunt, such as by cutting the shunt. Additionally, one or more dissolvable portions can be present to provide an initial flow restriction and subsequent increase in flow over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher HORVATH, Laszlo O. ROMODA, Brian HAMSTROM, Ronald D. BACHE, Guenther GRABNER, Herbert A. REITSAMER
  • Patent number: 8801766
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices for deploying intraocular shunts without the use of an optical apparatus that contacts an eye, such as a goniolens. In certain embodiments, devices of the invention include a housing, a deployment mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing, and a hollow shaft coupled inside the housing to the deployment mechanism, in which the shaft is configured to hold an intraocular shunt, and the device includes an insertion configuration and a deployment configuration and the insertion configuration involves the shaft being fully disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert A. Reitsamer, Guenther Grabner, Christopher Horvath, Laszlo O. Romoda
  • Patent number: 8765210
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for making gelatin shunts. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods that may involve moving a wire through a bath including a bottom layer of liquid gelatin and a top layer of water, thereby coating the wire with gelatin, moving the gelatin coated wire through an aperture, and drying the gelatin on the wire in a humidity controlled space, thereby manufacturing a gelatin shunt. In other embodiments, the invention provides systems that may include a motor, a wire operable coupled to the motor for movement of the wire, a temperature controllable bath, an aperture plate situated in a top portion of the bath, and an ultrasonic fogger, in which the system is configured such that the wire moves through the bath, through the aperture plate, and into the ultrasonic fogger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: AqueSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Laszlo O. Romoda, Brian Hamstrom, Partha Chandrakant, Christopher Horvath