Patents by Inventor Barbara A. Niksch

Barbara A. Niksch has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20070118147
    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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Gregory Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara Niksch, Hosheng Tu, Thomas Burns
  • Publication number: 20070112292
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to medical devices and methods for reducing the intraocular pressure in an animal eye and, more particularly, to stent type devices for permitting aqueous outflow from the eye's anterior chamber and associated methods thereof for the treatment of glaucoma. Some aspects provide a self-trephining glaucoma stent and methods thereof which advantageously allow for a “one-step” procedure in which the incision and placement of the stent are accomplished by a single device and operation. This desirably allows for a faster, safer, and less expensive surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara Niksch
  • Patent number: 7163543
    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: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara Niksch, Hosheng Tu, Thomas W. Burns
  • Publication number: 20070010827
    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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, David Haffner, Gregory Smedley, Barbara Niksch, Morteza Gharib
  • Patent number: 7135009
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to medical devices and methods for reducing the intraocular pressure in an animal eye and, more particularly, to stent type devices for permitting aqueous outflow from the eye's anterior chamber and associated methods thereof for the treatment of glaucoma. Some aspects provide a self-trephining glaucoma stent and methods thereof which advantageously allow for a “one-step” procedure in which the incision and placement of the stent are accomplished by a single device and operation. This desirably allows for a faster, safer, and less expensive surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch
  • Publication number: 20060241749
    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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, David Haffner, Gregory Smedley, Barbara Niksch, Morteza Gharib
  • Patent number: 7094225
    Abstract: The invention relates generally medical devices and methods for the treatment of glaucoma in an animal eye and, more particularly, to medical devices and methods for treating tissue of the trabecular meshwork and/or Schlemm's canal of the eye to restore or rejuvenate a portion or all of the normal physiological function of directing aqueous outflow for maintaining a normal intraocular pressure in the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, David S. Haffner
  • Publication number: 20060047263
    Abstract: The invention relates generally medical devices and methods for the treatment of glaucoma in an animal eye and, more particularly, to medical devices and methods for treating tissue of the trabecular meshwork and/or Schlemm's canal of the eye to restore or rejuvenate a portion or all of the normal physiological function of directing aqueous outflow for maintaining a normal intraocular pressure in the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory Smedley, Barbara Niksch, David Haffner
  • Publication number: 20040127843
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the treatment of glaucoma. An ocular implant is adapted such that aqueous humor flows controllably from the anterior chamber of the eye to Schlemm's canal, bypassing the trabecular meshwork. The implant may utilize one or more bioactive agents effective in treating glaucoma or other pathology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Barbara Niksch, David Haffner, Gregory Smedley
  • Publication number: 20040050392
    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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, David S. Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, Morteza Gharib
  • Publication number: 20030088260
    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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara Niksch, Hosheng Tu, Thomas W. Burns
  • Publication number: 20020188308
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to medical devices and methods for reducing the intraocular pressure in an animal eye and, more particularly, to stent type devices for permitting aqueous outflow from the eye's anterior chamber and associated methods thereof for the treatment of glaucoma. Some aspects provide a self-trephining glaucoma stent and methods thereof which advantageously allow for a “one-step” procedure in which the incision and placement of the stent are accomplished by a single device and operation. This desirably allows for a faster, safer, and less expensive surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch
  • Publication number: 20020169130
    Abstract: The invention relates generally medical devices and methods for the treatment of glaucoma in an animal eye and, more particularly, to medical devices and methods for treating tissue of the trabecular meshwork and /or Schlemm's canal of the eye to restore or rejuvenate a portion or all of the normal physiological function of directing aqueous outflow for maintaining a normal intraocular pressure in the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, David S. Haffner
  • Publication number: 20020143284
    Abstract: A device and method are provided for improved treatment of elevated intraocular pressure due to glaucoma. A trabecular shunting device is adapted for implantation within the trabecular meshwork of an eye such that aqueous humor flows controllably from the anterior chamber of the eye to Schlemm's canal, bypassing the trabecular meshwork. The trabecular shunting device may utilize a quantity of pharmaceuticals effective in treating glaucoma, which are controllably released from the device into cells of the trabecular meshwork and/or Schlemm's canal. Depending upon the specific treatment contemplated, pharmaceuticals may be utilized in conjunction with the trabecular shunting device such that aqueous flow either increases or decreases as desired. Placement of the trabecular shunting device within the eye, and release of a glaucoma medication therefrom, can arrest or slow the progression of glaucoma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Barbara A. Niksch, David Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley