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US6979328B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgical instrument and method

Assignee: University of California, San Diego
•
Filing: 2002-01-18
•
Granted: 2005-12-27
•
Expires: 2022-01-18
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Abstract

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.

Inventors

  • 👤 George Baerveldt
  • 👤 Roy Chuck

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 07:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00781; A61F9/00736; A61F9/00745; A61F9/0079; A61F9/008; A61F9/00802; A61F9/00825; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1477; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320068; A61B2017/320069; A61B2017/32007; A61B2017/320072; A61B2017/320073; A61B2017/320074; A61B2017/320075; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B34/00; A61B34/25; A61B2034/254; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0801; A61B2090/08021; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B2218/003; A61B2218/007; A61F2009/00844; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00868; A61F2009/00885; A61F2009/00891

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 85 words
A device for treating glaucoma, said device comprising: an elongate probe; a bipolar electrode that is useable to form an opening in the trabecular meshwork such that fluid may drain through said opening into Schlemm's canal; and, a protector configured to be advanced into Schlemm's canal, said protector being configured and positioned in relation to the bipolar electrode such that the protector will substantially protect cells lining the scleral wall of Schlemm's canal from being substantially damaged by energy that emanates from the bipolar electrode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 85 words
A device for treating glaucoma, said device comprising: an elongate probe; a bipolar electrode that is useable to form an opening in the trabecular meshwork such that fluid may drain through said opening into Schlemm's canal; and, a protector configured to be advanced into Schlemm's canal, said protector being configured and positioned in relation to the bipolar electrode such that the protector will substantially protect cells lining the scleral wall of Schlemm's canal from being substantially damaged by energy that emanates from the bipolar electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 13 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the protector comprises a foot plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the protector is non-parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate probe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 32 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the elongate probe comprises a proximal portion and distal portion, the distal portion comprising the protector, said distal portion being non-parallel to the proximal portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 37 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the probe is substantially L-shaped, having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion comprises the protector, said distal portion being generally perpendicular to the proximal portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 43 words
A device according to claim 1 further comprising at least one lumen extending through at least a portion of the probe, said at least one lumen terminating in at least one port that becomes positioned within the eye during operation of the device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 26 words
A device according to claim 4 comprising an irrigation lumen that terminates in an irrigation port and an aspiration lumen that terminates in an aspiration port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 22 words
A system comprising a device according to claim 1 in combination with a power source for delivering power to said bipolar electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 23 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein the bipolar electrode is useable to substantially ablate at least a portion of the trabecular meshwork.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 20 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the probe comprises a handle configured to be grasped by the human hand.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 24 words
A device according to claim 10 further comprising at least one switch on said handle for at least actuating and deactuating the bipolar electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 33 words
A system comprising a device according to claim 1 further comprising a foot pedal in communication with said device, said foot pedal being usable for at least actuating and deactuating the bipolar electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 28 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the protector has a tip that is configured to penetrate trabecular meshwork, thereby facilitating advancement of the protector into Schlemm's canal.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2008-12-26 2009-06-27 2009-12-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2012-12-26 2013-06-27 2013-12-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2016-12-26 2017-06-27 2017-12-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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