Patents by Inventor Barbara Niksch
Barbara 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).
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Publication number: 20210154449Abstract: Systems and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One system has a delivery instrument, with a non-linear axis, configured to be inserted into an anterior chamber of an eye and moved to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The delivery instrument carries an implant that has a distal end sized for insertion into tissue such that aqueous humor drains from the anterior chamber to the physiologic outflow pathway. One method involves inserting a non-linear portion of a delivery device into the anterior chamber to position an implant within the eye. Another method involves using a delivery device with a curved distal portion to implant an implant at a location communicating with the physiologic outflow pathway. The delivery can be through a corneal incision and the implant can comprise a drug.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2020Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Hosheng Tu, Barbara A. Niksch, Richard A. Hill, Olav B. Bergheim
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Patent number: 10828473Abstract: Systems and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One system has a delivery instrument, with a non-linear axis, configured to be inserted into an anterior chamber of an eye and moved to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The delivery instrument carries an implant that has a distal end sized for insertion into tissue such that aqueous humor drains from the anterior chamber to the physiologic outflow pathway. One method involves inserting a non-linear portion of a delivery device into the anterior chamber to position an implant within the eye. Another method involves using a delivery device with a curved distal portion to implant an implant at a location communicating with the physiologic outflow pathway. The delivery can be through a corneal incision and the implant can comprise a drug.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Hosheng Tu, Barbara A. Niksch, Richard A. Hill, Olav B. Bergheim
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Publication number: 20190321225Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Gregory T. Smedley, David Steven Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch, Hosheng Tu, Thomas W. Burns, Richard A. Hill
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Patent number: 10406029Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 12, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Jason Artof, David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch
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Patent number: 10285856Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, Morteza Gharib, Thomas W. Burns, Richard Lindstrom
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Publication number: 20190030302Abstract: Systems and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One system has a delivery instrument, with a non-linear axis, configured to be inserted into an anterior chamber of an eye and moved to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The delivery instrument carries an implant that has a distal end sized for insertion into tissue such that aqueous humor drains from the anterior chamber to the physiologic outflow pathway. One method involves inserting a non-linear portion of a delivery device into the anterior chamber to position an implant within the eye. Another method involves using a delivery device with a curved distal portion to implant an implant at a location communicating with the physiologic outflow pathway. The delivery can be through a corneal incision and the implant can comprise a drug.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Hosheng Tu, Barbara A. Niksch, Richard A. Hill, Olav B. Bergheim
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Publication number: 20180161205Abstract: Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are provided. One method involves introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye. The implant is implanted into eye tissue adjacent the anterior chamber such that a proximal end of the implant resides in the anterior chamber following implantation. A therapeutic agent is eluted from the implant into the eye. Desirably, the release of the therapeutic agent from the implant is controlled. The controlled release of the therapeutic agent can be at a chosen rate and/or for a selected duration which can be episodic or periodic. The therapeutic agent can be an antiproliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, or a compound for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Barbara A. Niksch, David S. Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Olav B. Bergheim, Morteza Gharib, Richard A. Hill, Thomas W. Burns
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Patent number: 9987472Abstract: Systems and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One system has a delivery instrument, with a non-linear axis, configured to be inserted into an anterior chamber of an eye and moved to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The delivery instrument carries an implant that has a distal end sized for insertion into tissue such that aqueous humor drains from the anterior chamber to the physiologic outflow pathway. One method involves inserting a non-linear portion of a delivery device into the anterior chamber to position an implant within the eye. Another method involves using a delivery device with a curved distal portion to implant an implant at a location communicating with the physiologic outflow pathway. The delivery can be through a corneal incision and the implant can comprise a drug.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: GLAUKOS CORPORATIONInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, David Steven Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch, Richard A. Hill, Olav B. Bergheim
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Patent number: 9789001Abstract: Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are provided. One method involves introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye. The implant is implanted into eye tissue adjacent the anterior chamber such that a proximal end of the implant resides in the anterior chamber following implantation. A therapeutic agent is eluted from the implant into the eye. Desirably, the release of the therapeutic agent from the implant is controlled. The controlled release of the therapeutic agent can be at a chosen rate and/or for a selected duration which can be episodic or periodic. The therapeutic agent can be an antiproliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, or a compound for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: DOSE MEDICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Hosheng Tu, Barbara A. Niksch, David S. Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Olav B. Bergheim, Morteza Gharib, Richard A. Hill, Thomas W. Burns
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Publication number: 20170273829Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Hosheng Tu, David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, Morteza Gharib, Thomas W. Burns, Richard Lindstrom
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Patent number: 9572963Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Barbara A. Niksch, David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Richard A. Hill, Olav B. Bergheim
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Patent number: 9561131Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, Morteza Gharib, Thomas W. Burns, Richard Lindstrom
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Publication number: 20160175151Abstract: Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are provided. One method involves introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye. The implant is implanted into eye tissue adjacent the anterior chamber such that a proximal end of the implant resides in the anterior chamber following implantation. A therapeutic agent is eluted from the implant into the eye. Desirably, the release of the therapeutic agent from the implant is controlled. The controlled release of the therapeutic agent can be at a chosen rate and/or for a selected duration which can be episodic or periodic. The therapeutic agent can be an antiproliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, or a compound for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Barbara A. Niksch, David S. Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Olav B. Bergheim, Morteza Gharib, Richard A. Hill, Thomas W. Burns
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Publication number: 20160100983Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Jason Artof, David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch
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Patent number: 9301875Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: GLAUKOS CORPORATIONInventors: Hosheng Tu, Jason Artof, David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch
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Patent number: 9155654Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: GLAUKOS CORPORATIONInventors: Hosheng Tu, Jason Artof, David Steven Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch
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Publication number: 20150223981Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2014Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara Niksch, Hosheng Tu, Thomas W. Burns
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Patent number: 9066782Abstract: Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are provided. One method involves introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye. The implant is implanted into eye tissue adjacent the anterior chamber such that a proximal end of the implant resides in the anterior chamber following implantation. A therapeutic agent is eluted from the implant into the eye. Desirably, the release of the therapeutic agent from the implant is controlled. The controlled release of the therapeutic agent can be at a chosen rate and/or for a selected duration which can be episodic or periodic. The therapeutic agent can be an antiproliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, or a compound for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Dose Medical CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Barbara A Niksch, David S Haffner, Gregory T Smedley, Olav B Bergheim, Morteza Gharib, Richard A. Hill, Thomas W. Burns
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Patent number: 8882781Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Gregory T Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara Niksch, Hosheng Tu, Thomas W Burns
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Publication number: 20130310930Abstract: The invention relates generally to medical devices and methods for the treatment of ocular disorders. An ocular implant having an inlet portion with a first anchor and an outlet portion with a second anchor is provided. The first anchor is configured to be positioned adjacent eye tissue, for example, within an anterior chamber of an eye, and the second anchor is configured to be positioned within a physiological outflow pathway of the eye. The implant, when implanted in the eye, is configured to conduct fluid from the anterior chamber to the physiological outflow pathway. Desirably, the second anchor is deployable and is configured to secure the implant within the physiological outflow pathway. Also provided is an ocular treatment method which involves implanting the implant to secure the implant within the physiological outflow pathway by deploying the second anchor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: GLAUKOS CORPORATIONInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, David S. Haffner