US 11,839,571 B2
Ocular implant with stiffness qualities, methods of implantation and system
Thomas A. Silvestrini, Alamo, CA (US); and Eugene De Juan, Jr., Brisbane, CA (US)
Assigned to Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed by Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed on Apr. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/661,133.
Application 17/661,133 is a continuation of application No. 16/704,902, filed on Dec. 5, 2019, granted, now 11,344,448, issued on May 31, 2022.
Application 16/704,902 is a continuation of application No. 15/693,920, filed on Sep. 1, 2017, granted, now 10,531,983, issued on Jan. 14, 2020.
Application 15/693,920 is a continuation of application No. 14/071,500, filed on Nov. 4, 2013, granted, now 9,763,828, issued on Sep. 19, 2017.
Application 14/071,500 is a continuation of application No. 12/970,567, filed on Dec. 16, 2010, granted, now 8,574,294, issued on Nov. 5, 2013.
Application 12/970,567 is a continuation of application No. 12/694,691, filed on Jan. 27, 2010, granted, now 8,377,122, issued on Feb. 19, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/246,017, filed on Sep. 25, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/222,054, filed on Jun. 30, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/147,988, filed on Jan. 28, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2022/0249286 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 9/007 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 9/00781 (2013.01) [A61F 2210/0019 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ocular implant system, comprising:
an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the elongate member is adapted to be positioned in the eye such that the proximal portion communicates with the anterior chamber and the distal portion communicates with a supraciliary space; wherein the elongate member provides for aqueous fluid to flow from the anterior chamber toward the suprachoroidal space when the elongate member is implanted in the eye; and wherein the elongate member comprises a material imparting a sufficient stiffness to the elongate member such that after implantation the elongate member is able to transition from a curved shape to a less curved shape to deform at least sub-scleral eye tissue so as to form a tented volume beneath the sclera; and
a delivery device configured to deliver the elongate member into an eye via an opening in a cornea of the eye, the delivery device comprising: a proximal handle portion; a delivery portion coupled to the handle portion and configured to releasably couple to the elongate member; and an actuator configured to be actuated to cause the elongate member coupled to the delivery portion to release from the delivery portion upon actuation of the actuator.