Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the treatment of glaucoma are provided. The instrument uses either cauterization, a laser to ablate, sonic or ultrasonic energy to emulsify, or mechanical cutting of a portion of the trabecular meshwork. The instrument may also be provided with irrigation, aspiration, and a footplate. The footplate is used to enter Schlemm's canal, serves as a guide, and also protects Schlemm's canal.

Abstract: Glaucoma treatments utilizing an implanted shunt having an elastomeric plate and a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube. The plate is positioned over a sclera of the eye with an outflow end of the elastomeric drainage tube open to an outer surface of the plate. An inflow end of the drainage tube tunnels through tissue to the anterior chamber of the eye. The drainage tube collapses upon insertion within an incision in the sclera and cornea, or at a kink on the outside of the incision, but has sufficient resiliency to restore its patency over time. Delayed fluid communication between the outflow and inflow ends of the drainage tube permits a scar tissue bleb to form around the plate. The plate desirably has a peripheral ridge and fenestrations, and a longer suturing tab extending from one side of the plate to enhance visibility and accessibility when suturing the shunt to the sclera.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for measuring pressure and/or for quantitative or qualitative measurement of analytes within the eye or elsewhere in the body. Optical pressure sensors and/or optical analyte sensors are implanted in the body and light is cast from an extracorporeal light source, though the cornea, conjunctiva or dermis, and onto a reflective element located within each pressure sensor or analyte sensor. The position or configuration of each sensor's reflective element varies with pressure or analyte concentration. Thus, the reflectance spectra of light reflected by the sensors' reflective elements will vary with changes in pressure or changes in analyte concentration. A spectrometer or other suitable instrument is used to process and analyze the reflectance spectra of the reflected light, thereby obtaining an indication of pressure or analyte concentration adjacent to the sensor(s).

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the treatment of glaucoma are provided. The instrument uses either cauterization, a laser to ablate, sonic or ultrasonic energy to emulsify, or mechanical cutting of a portion of the trabecular meshwork. The instrument may also be provided with irrigation, aspiration, and a footplate. The footplate is used to enter Schlemm's canal, serves as a guide, and also protects Schlemm's canal.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the treatment of glaucoma are provided. The instrument uses either cauterization, a laser to ablate, sonic or ultrasonic energy to emulsify, or mechanical cutting of a portion of the trabecular meshwork. The instrument may also be provided with irrigation, aspiration, and a footplate. The footplate is used to enter Schlemm's canal, serves as a guide, and also protects Schlemm's canal.

Abstract: A method of treating glaucoma in an eye utilizing an implanted shunt having an elastomeric plate and a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube. The plate is positioned over a sclera of the eye with an outflow end of the elastomeric drainage tube open to an outer surface of the plate. An inflow end of the drainage tube tunnels through the sclera and cornea to the anterior chamber of the eye. The drainage tube collapses upon initial insertion within an incision in the selera and cornea, or at a kink on the outside of the incision, but has sufficient resiliency to restore its patency over time. The effect is a flow restrictor that regulates outflow from the eye until a scar tissue bleb forms around the plate of the slunt. The plate desirably has a peripheral ridge and a large number of fenestrations, and a longer suturing tab extending from one side of the plate to enhance visibility and accessibility when suturing the shunt to the selera.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the treatment of glaucoma are provided. The instrument uses either cauterization, a laser to ablate, sonic or ultrasonic energy to emulsify, or mechanical cutting of a portion of the trabecular meshwork. The instrument may also be provided with irrigation, aspiration, and a footplate. The footplate is used to enter Schlemm's canal, serves as a guide, and also protects Schlemm's canal.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and methods for the treatment of glaucoma are provided. The instrument uses either cauterization, a laser to ablate, sonic or ultrasonic energy to emulsify, or mechanical cutting of a portion of the trabecular meshwork. The instrument may also be provided with irrigation, aspiration, and a footplate. The footplate is used to enter Schlemm's canal, serves as a guide, and also protects Schlemm's canal.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for measuring pressure and/or for quantitative or qualitative measurement of analytes within the eye or elsewhere in the body. Optical pressure sensors and/or optical analyte sensors are implanted in the body and light is cast from an extracorporeal light source, though the cornea, conjunctiva or dermis, and onto a reflective element located within each pressure sensor or analyte sensor. The position or configuration of each sensor's reflective element varies with pressure or analyte concentration. Thus, the reflectance spectra of light reflected by the sensors' reflective elements will vary with changes in pressure or changes in analyte concentration. A spectrometer or other suitable instrument is used to process and analyze the reflectance spectra of the reflected light, thereby obtaining an indication of pressure or analyte concentration adjacent to the sensor(s).

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the treatment of glaucoma are provided. The instrument uses either cauterization, a laser to ablate, sonic or ultrasonic energy to emulsify, or mechanical cutting of a portion of the trabecular meshwork. The instrument may also be provided with irrigation, aspiration, and a footplate. The footplate is used to enter Schlemm's canal, serves as a guide, and also protects Schlemm's canal.

Abstract: A method of treating glaucoma in an eye utilizing an implant is disclosed. The implant comprises an elastomeric plate having first and second surfaces and an non-valved elastomeric drainage tube. The plate is positioned over a sclera of said eye beneath Tenon's capsule, such that a portion of the plate extends into the anterior segment of the eye. The first end of said elastomeric drainage tube is open to said second surface of said plate. The second end of said drainage tube is tunneled through the sclera and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber of said eye. Fluid communication is provided between said anterior chamber and a scar tissue bleb which forms around said implant. Preferably, a portion of the scar tissue bleb extends into the anterior segment of the eye and a portion of the scar tissue bleb extends into the posterior segment of the eye.

Abstract: An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is elliptical in-shape and curved so as to conform to the curvature of the eye. The plate is inserted into the eye in an incision made in the Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the Tenon's capsule and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing patent fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate. The flexible structure of the plate allows the plate to be easily inserted, thus reducing the surgical procedure length. In addition, the pliable material minimizes the risk of damage and trauma to surrounding tissues in the insertion process.

Abstract: An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is curved so as to conform to the spherical anatomy of the eyeball. An annular sloped wall extends from the plate and surrounds the opening of the drainage tube into the plate. The plate is inserted beneath Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera utilizing temporary and non-dissolving permanent sutures. The annular wall provides a temporary sealing surface against the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the sclera and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate. The annular wall around the tube forms a temporary seal which restricts the drainage of aqueous fluid until formation of the bleb is completed. After bleb formation occurs, the temporary sutures around the wall are removed or dissolve.

Abstract: An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is elliptical in shape and curved so as to conform to the curvature of the eye. At least one hole is made in the plate to facilitate the formation of a tethered scar tissue bubble, referred to a bleb, to form around the carrier plate. The scar tissue will grow through the hole or holes and pull the perimeter of the bubble towards the carrier plate at the hole locations to tether the formation of the bleb to the carrier plate and finally to the sclera tissue. The plate is inserted into the eye in an incision made in the Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the Tenon's capsule and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing patent fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate.

Abstract: An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is elliptical in shape and curved so as to conform to the curvature of the eye. The plate is inserted into the eye in an incision made in the Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the Tenon's capsule and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing patent fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate. The flexible structure of the plate allows the plate to be easily inserted, thus reducing the surgical procedure length. In addition, the pliable material minimizes th risk of damage and trauma to surrounding tissues in the insertion process.