Patents by Inventor Gregory T. Smedley
Gregory T. Smedley 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: 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: 7867186Abstract: Intraocular implants and delivery instruments are disclosed for treating ophthalmic conditions and ocular disorders, such as glaucoma. The implants are configured to extend between the anterior chamber of the eye and a fluid outflow path or physiologic outflow pathway, such as Schlemm's canal, of the eye for enhancing outflow of aqueous from the anterior chamber so as to reduce intraocular pressure. The implants can have features for anchoring the implant into Schlemm's canal as well as preventing the walls of Schlemm's canal from closing the outlet of the implants. The delivery instruments can be steerable so as to make implantation easier. Additionally, the instruments can be configured to hold a plurality of implants so that multiple implants can be implanted through one incision without removing the instrument from the incision between serial implantations.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: David Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Hosheng Tu
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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: 20100087774Abstract: Devices and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One ocular implant, has a substantially straight, rigid, elongate body. The body has a self-trephinating distal portion that narrows toward a distal end, and at least one inlet that communicates with at least one inner lumen that communicates with a plurality of outlets. The lumen has a sufficient length to extend from an anterior chamber of an eye to a physiologic outflow pathway. An anchor member extends from the implant.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: GLAUKOS CORPORATIONInventors: David S. Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Thomas W. Burns, Hosheng Tu
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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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Patent number: 7488303Abstract: An implant for treating an ocular disorder has a longitudinal implant axis, an outflow portion passing therethrough, a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings therein, an inflow portion, and an anchoring member that extends from the implant and is disposed distally of the openings. The outflow portion is shaped and sized to be introduced into Schlemm's canal of an eye at an angle, and received at least partially within Schlemm's canal regardless of its rotational orientation about the axis during introduction. The openings allow fluid communication from a lumen within the outflow portion to a location outside the outflow portion. The inflow portion is configured to be positioned within an anterior chamber of the eye to permit fluid communication from the anterior chamber to the outflow portion. The axis extends through a trabecular meshwork of the eye and is generally orthogonal to Schlemm's canal during the fluid communication.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: David S. Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Thomas W. Burns, Hosheng Tu
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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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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
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Patent number: 7163543Abstract: 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: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara Niksch, Hosheng Tu, Thomas W. Burns
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Patent number: 7135009Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 8, 2002Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch
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Patent number: 7094225Abstract: 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: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Glaukos CorporationInventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, David S. Haffner
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Publication number: 20040102729Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventors: David Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Hosheng Tu
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Publication number: 20040050392Abstract: 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: August 28, 2002Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: Hosheng Tu, David S. Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Barbara A. Niksch, Morteza Gharib
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Publication number: 20030229303Abstract: Disclosed is an implant for use in an eye with glaucoma, the implant including an inlet section in fluid communication with an outlet section, the inlet section being sized and shaped to fit at least partially in the anterior chamber of the eye, and the outlet section being sized and shaped to fit at least partially in Schlemm's canal of the eye. The implant also includes an expandable substrate suitable for expansion in the eye to assist in retaining the implant in the eye.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventors: David S. Haffner, Gregory T. Smedley, Thomas W. Burns, Robert D. Anello, Hosheng Tu
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Publication number: 20030097151Abstract: A method is provided for treatment of glaucoma comprising stimulating mitochondria of ophthalmologic cells with energy effective for stimulating the mitochondria, wherein the energy source may be a physical source or biochemical source of monoamine oxidase inhibitors. A unique endoscope-microscope interface is disclosed which advantageously provides a simultaneous view of the microscope field of view and the endoscope field of view to the operator or surgeon.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: Gregory T. Smedley, Hosheng Tu
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Publication number: 20030088260Abstract: 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: June 7, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara Niksch, Hosheng Tu, Thomas W. Burns
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Publication number: 20020188308Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Hosheng Tu, Gregory T. Smedley, David Haffner, Barbara A. Niksch