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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Patent number: 8579846Abstract: Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One implant has a tubular member, with inlet and outlet ends, and a cutting member connected thereto. The tubular member is configured to extend through eye tissue such that the inlet and outlet ends reside respectively in an anterior chamber and a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. Desirably, the cutting member is configured to make an incision in the eye tissue for receiving at least a portion of the tubular member. One method involves introducing an implant, with proximal and distal ends, into the anterior chamber and penetrating eye tissue using an implant distal portion. The implant is advanced from the anterior chamber into the penetrated eye tissue to locate the distal and proximal ends respectively in the physiologic outflow pathway and the anterior chamber. Aqueous humor is conducted between the proximal and distal ends.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch
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Patent number: 8348877Abstract: Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are provided. One method involves introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye such that at least a distal end of the implant is temporarily in the anterior chamber. The implant is implanted into eye tissue adjacent the anterior chamber. A therapeutic agent is eluted from the implant into at least one of the anterior chamber, a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye, and a space adjacent a choroid of the eye. The therapeutic agent can be an antiproliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, or a compound for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The therapeutic agent can be contained within the implant or coated on the implant.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Dose Medical CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Barbara Niksch, David Haffner, Gregory Smedley, Olav B Bergheim, Morteza Gharib
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Patent number: 8337445Abstract: The invention relates generally to medical devices and methods for the treatment of ocular disorders. One method provides an implant having an inlet portion with a first anchor and an outlet portion with a second anchor. The implant is implanted in tissue of an eye such the implant conducts fluid from an anterior chamber of the eye to a physiological outflow pathway of the eye. The implanting involves positioning the first anchor adjacent eye tissue, positioning the second anchor within the physiological outflow pathway, and deploying the second anchor such that the second anchor secures the implant within the physiological outflow pathway and a distal end of the second anchor is positioned further into the physiological outflow pathway than an outlet of the outlet portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T Smedley, Barbara A Niksch, David S Haffner
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Publication number: 20120109040Abstract: 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: May 27, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: GLAUKOS CORPORATIONInventors: Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara Niksch, Hosheng Tu, Thomas W. Burns
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Publication number: 20120071809Abstract: Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One implant has a tubular member, with inlet and outlet ends, and a cutting member connected thereto. The tubular member is configured to extend through eye tissue such that the inlet and outlet ends reside respectively in an anterior chamber and a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. Desirably, the cutting member is configured to make an incision in the eye tissue for receiving at least a portion of the tubular member. One method involves introducing an implant, with proximal and distal ends, into the anterior chamber and penetrating eye tissue using an implant distal portion. The implant is advanced from the anterior chamber into the penetrated eye tissue to locate the distal and proximal ends respectively in the physiologic outflow pathway and the anterior chamber. Aqueous humor is conducted between the proximal and distal ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch
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Patent number: 8075511Abstract: Systems and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One system has an implant and a delivery device. The implant has inlet and outlet portions, a lumen extending therebetween and communicating with inlet and outlet ports. The implant is sized so that in use aqueous humor flows from an anterior chamber of an eye through the implant and into a uveal scleral outflow path of the eye. The delivery device is configured to advance the implant from within the anterior chamber, with the outlet portion leading the inlet portion, to a location where the outlet and inlet ports respectively communicate with the uveal scleral outflow path and the anterior chamber. One method involves advancing an implant from within the anterior chamber, and draining fluid from therein such that fluid flows into an implant inlet port and out through an implant outlet port and into the uveal scleral outflow path.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch
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Patent number: 8062244Abstract: Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One implant has a tubular member, with inlet and outlet ends, and a cutting member connected thereto. The tubular member is configured to extend through eye tissue such that the inlet and outlet ends reside respectively in an anterior chamber and a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. Desirably, the cutting member is configured to make an incision in the eye tissue for receiving at least a portion of the tubular member. One method involves introducing an implant, with proximal and distal ends, into the anterior chamber and penetrating eye tissue using an implant distal portion. The implant is advanced from the anterior chamber into the penetrated eye tissue to locate the distal and proximal ends respectively in the physiologic outflow pathway and the anterior chamber. Aqueous humor is conducted between the proximal and distal ends.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A Niksch
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Patent number: 7951155Abstract: 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: January 16, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara Niksch, Hosheng Tu, Thomas W. Burns
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Publication number: 20110092878Abstract: 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: December 27, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: GLAUKOS CORPORATIONInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch
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Patent number: 7879079Abstract: 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 1, 2011Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, David S. Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, Morteza Gharib
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Patent number: 7857782Abstract: 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: February 5, 2009Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A Niksch
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Publication number: 20100234790Abstract: Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are provided. One method involves introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye such that at least a distal end of the implant is temporarily in the anterior chamber. The implant is implanted into eye tissue adjacent the anterior chamber. A therapeutic agent is eluted from the implant into at least one of the anterior chamber, a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye, and a space adjacent a choroid of the eye. The therapeutic agent can be an antiproliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, or a compound for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The therapeutic agent can be contained within the implant or coated on the implant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: GLAUKOS CORPORATIONInventors: Hosheng Tu, Barbara Niksch, David Haffner, Gregory Smedley, Olav B. Bergheim, Morteza (Mory) Gharib
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Patent number: 7708711Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the treatment of ocular disorders. An ocular implant has a body comprising material that includes a therapeutic drug. The body has an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The inlet portion is configured to reside in an anterior chamber of an eye when the outlet portion is disposed in a physiological outflow pathway of the eye. The outlet portion has an outflow opening such that the body drains fluid from the anterior chamber to the physiological outflow pathway. One method of treating an ocular disorder involves introducing an implant comprising a therapeutic drug into the eye such that the implant drains aqueous humor into a physiological outflow pathway and the therapeutic drug reaches eye tissue.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Barbara Niksch, David Haffner, Gregory Smedley, Olav B. Bergheim, Morteza (Mory) Gharib
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Patent number: 7563241Abstract: Medical devices and methods for treating ocular disorders, such as glaucoma, are provided. One method involves inserting an implant on one side of an eye. The implant is advanced across the optic axis to the other side of the eye and implanted in contact with a choroid. In another method the implant is inserted through an incision in the eye into an anterior chamber of the eye. The implant is advanced from the incision and across the anterior chamber into eye tissue such that the implant is in contact with at least the choroid, or the implant drains aqueous humor from the anterior chamber toward the choroid.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch
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Publication number: 20090143712Abstract: Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One implant has a tubular member, with inlet and outlet ends, and a cutting member connected thereto. The tubular member is configured to extend through eye tissue such that the inlet and outlet ends reside respectively in an anterior chamber and a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. Desirably, the cutting member is configured to make an incision in the eye tissue for receiving at least a portion of the tubular member. One method involves introducing an implant, with proximal and distal ends, into the anterior chamber and penetrating eye tissue using an implant distal portion. The implant is advanced from the anterior chamber into the penetrated eye tissue to locate the distal and proximal ends respectively in the physiologic outflow pathway and the anterior chamber. Aqueous humor is conducted between the proximal and distal ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2009Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: GLAUKOS CORPORATIONInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch
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Publication number: 20090138022Abstract: 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: February 5, 2009Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: GLAUKOS CORPORATIONInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch
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Publication number: 20080200860Abstract: Systems and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One system has an implant and a delivery device. The implant has inlet and outlet portions, a lumen extending therebetween and communicating with inlet and outlet ports. The implant is sized so that in use aqueous humor flows from an anterior chamber of an eye through the implant and into a uveal scleral outflow path of the eye. The delivery device is configured to advance the implant from within the anterior chamber, with the outlet portion leading the inlet portion, to a location where the outlet and inlet ports respectively communicate with the uveal scleral outflow path and the anterior chamber. One method involves advancing an implant from within the anterior chamber, and draining fluid from therein such that fluid flows into an implant inlet port and out through an implant outlet port and into the uveal scleral outflow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: GLAUKOS CORPORATIONInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch
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Patent number: 7331984Abstract: 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: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, David S. Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, Morteza Gharib
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Publication number: 20080015488Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2007Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: GLAUKOS CORPORATIONInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory Smedley, Barbara Niksch, David Haffner
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Patent number: 7273475Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, David S. Haffner