Abstract:
A medical treatment device for treating glaucoma includes a spherical portion formed in a partially spherical shape configured to align with the curve of an eyeball; and at least one puncture portion protruding from a concave side of the spherical portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-231504, filed on Nov. 7, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a medical treatment device. 
     Description of Related Art 
     A medical treatment device for treating glaucoma is conventionally known (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,868). 
     The medical treatment device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,868 includes a pipe member, a tubular member, and a pushing out member. The pipe member is cut obliquely at a distal end thereof. The tubular member has, provided at one end thereof, a flange portion that is capable of being absorbed by the eyeball and accommodates the pipe member therein. The pushing out member is provided for back and forth movement in the tubular member and used to push out the pipe member. When the medical treatment device is used to treat a patient, the tubular member is absorbed at the flange portion thereof on a surface of the eyeball. In this state, the pipe member is pushed out by the pushing out member so as to penetrate the cornea until the distal end of the pipe member is positioned in the anterior chamber. Thereafter, the tubular member and the pushing out member are removed while the pipe member is indwelled so that the aqueous humor in the anterior chamber is discharged through the pipe member. Consequently, a high intraocular pressure by the glaucoma decreases. 
     However, such a conventional medical treatment device as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,868 has a problem in that a heavy burden is placed on a patient because a highly invasive technique is involved in treatment of the patient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One objective of certain embodiments of the present invention is to provide a medical treatment device which can reduce the burden to be placed on a patient upon treatment of glaucoma. 
     A medical treatment device for treating glaucoma according to certain embodiments of the present invention includes a spherical portion formed in a spherical shape along the eyeball, and at least one puncture portion provided at a given position of the spherical portion on an eyeball side so as to project from the spherical portion and having a given length. 
     Because the puncture portion is provided on the eyeball side of the spherical portion, the medical treatment device can be mounted on the eyeball similarly to a contact lens, and the burden on the patient upon treatment of the glaucoma can be reduced. 
     In one aspect, the medical treatment device is configured such that the puncture portion has a groove formed thereon extending in a projection direction. 
     Because the puncture portion has the groove extending in the projection direction, the aqueous humor can be discharged along the groove. Consequently, the discharging efficiency of the aqueous humor can be improved. 
     In one aspect, the medical treatment device is configured such that the puncture portion has a through-hole formed therein extending through the puncture portion and the spherical portion. 
     Because the through-hole extending through the puncture portion and the spherical portion is provided, the aqueous humor can be discharged from through the through-hole, and the discharging efficiency of the aqueous humor can be improved. 
     Further, because the aqueous humor is discharged to an outer surface of the medical treatment device through the through-hole, the outer surface of the medical treatment device can be kept in a wet state. 
     In one aspect, the medical treatment device is configured such that a plurality of puncture portions are provided that individually have an opening, and the spherical portion and the puncture portions have a communication passage formed therein so as to communicate the openings of the puncture portions with each other. 
     Because the aqueous humor discharged once can be returned to the sclera through the communication passage, the eyeball can be prevented from being inflected by emissions. 
     In one aspect, the medical treatment device is configured such that the spherical portion and the puncture portion are formed from a material having biodegradability. 
     Because the spherical portion and the puncture portion are formed from a material having biodegradability, a stimulus to the eyeball can be suppressed. Therefore, the medical treatment device can be left mounted for a long period of time on the eyeball, and removal of the medical treatment device from the eyeball can be carried out readily. 
     In one aspect, the medical treatment device is configured such that the spherical portion has an opening formed at a central portion thereof. 
     Because the spherical portion has the opening formed at a central portion thereof, the central portion of the spherical portion can be prevented from being soiled by emissions discharged along the puncture portion. 
     Further, because a surface of the eyeball can be exposed through the opening, the oxygen permeability of the spherical portion can be improved. 
     In one aspect, the medical treatment device is configured such that it further includes a puncturing member having a projection for causing the puncture portion to puncture the eyeball, and such that the spherical portion and the puncture portion have an accommodation hole extending in the puncture portion through the spherical portion and configured to accommodate the projection of the puncturing member therein. The puncturing member being provided for separation from the spherical portion and the puncture portion. 
     Because the puncturing member is provided, the spherical portion and the puncture portion can be formed from a soft material, and an uncomfortable feeling of a patient while the medical treatment device is indwelled can be moderated. 
     In one aspect, the medical treatment device is configured such that the puncture portion is provided at a position corresponding to the cornea when the medical treatment device is mounted on the eyeball. 
     Because the puncture portion is provided at the position of the cornea, the aqueous humor can be discharged efficiently. 
     In one aspect, the medical treatment device is configured such that the puncture portion has a length sufficient to allow the puncture portion to reach an angle, or to extend through the iris when the medical treatment device is mounted on the eyeball. 
     Because the puncture portion has such a length that it can reach the angle or penetrate the iris, the aqueous humor can be discharged efficiently. 
     In one aspect, the medical treatment device is configured such that a plurality of puncture portions are provided, and the plurality of puncture portions include a first puncture portion having a length sufficient to allow the puncture portion to reach the angle or to extend through the iris when the medical treatment device is mounted on the eyeball and a second puncture portion having a length sufficient to allow the second puncture portion to reach the vitreous body. 
     Because the first puncture portion has a length sufficient to allow the puncture portion to reach the angle or to extend through the iris, the aqueous humor can be discharged efficiently. Further, when complications of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration occur, if anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents necessary for treatment of the age-related macular degeneration are instilled in a state in which the medical treatment device is mounted on the eyeball, then the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents can be administered into the vitreous body through the second puncture portion. 
     In one aspect, the medical treatment device is configured such that the second puncture portion has anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents applied thereto. If the medical treatment device is mounted on the eyeball, then the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents applied to the surface of the second puncture portion in advance can be administered into the vitreous body. 
     In one aspect, the medical treatment device is configured such that a gel-like material is applied to an outer edge portion of the spherical portion. 
     Because a gel-like material is applied to the outer edge portion of the spherical portion, the spherical portion is less likely to move, and the medical treatment device can be prevented from being displaced with respect to the eyeball. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are a plan view and a side elevational view, respectively, of a medical treatment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view illustrating an example of use of the medical treatment device of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are a plan view and a side elevational view, respectively, of a medical treatment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are a plan view and a side elevational view, respectively, of a medical treatment device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are a plan view and a side elevational view, respectively, of a medical treatment device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view illustrating an example of use of the medical treatment device of  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a medical treatment device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are side elevational views of a medical treatment device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side elevational views of medical treatment devices according to modifications to certain embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. 
     It is to be noted that the dimensional ratio in the drawings is sometimes different from an actual dimensional ratio for the convenience of illustration. 
     Further, in the second and succeeding embodiments, like components and components having like functions to those described in connection with the first embodiment are denoted by like reference characters applied in the first embodiment and description of them is omitted or simplified herein. 
     First Embodiment 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 , a medical treatment device  1  includes a spherical portion  2  formed in a spherical shape along an eyeball EB, and at least one puncture portion, in the embodiment depicted, two puncture portions  3 A and  3 B. The puncture portions  3 A and  3 B are provided at predetermined positions of the spherical portion  2  on the eyeball EB side so as to project from the spherical portion  2  and have a predetermined length. The spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B of the medical treatment device  1  are formed from a material which is transparent and biodegradable such as, for example, an oxygen-permeable (RGP: Rigid Gas Permeable) lens material or polymethyl methacrylate which are used for general hard contact lenses, or a hydrous material such as polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate, a non-hydrous material such as acrylic elastomer, or a high oxygen-permeable material such as silicone hydrogel, which are used for general soft contact lenses. The spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B are formed as a unitary member. 
     The spherical portion  2  has a shape similar to that of a contact lens and is formed in a circular shape as viewed in plan and in a shape recessed at a central portion thereof as viewed in side elevation. An inner side face  21  of the spherical portion  2 , namely, a face of the spherical portion  2  on the eyeball EB side, has a spherical face along the eyeball EB. A gel-like material such as an acrylic resin having low skin irritation is applied to an outer edge portion of the inner side face  21  of the spherical portion  2 . It is to be noted that, although it is depicted in  FIG. 2  that a gap exists between the spherical portion  2  and eyeball EB for the convenience of illustration, when the medical treatment device  1  is mounted on the eyeball EB, the spherical portion  2  contacts more closely with the eyeball EB. 
     The puncture portions  3 A and  3 B are microneedles and have a shape of a needle projecting from the inner face of the spherical portion  2 . The puncture portions  3 A and  3 B are provided at positions indicated by alternate long and short dash lines in  FIG. 1A  and of a cornea CO depicted in  FIG. 2 , preferably at positions of iris IR. The puncture portions  3 A and  3 B have a length with which they penetrate the cornea CO and reach an angle AN. Where the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B are provided at positions of the iris IR, they are more advantageous for the assurance of the field of view. Further, the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B have a diameter of, for example, approximately 10 to 200 microns and preferably are minimally invasive. Grooves  31  are formed on a side face of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B so as to extend in a projection direction of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B from a distal end of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B to the inner side face  21  of the spherical portion  2 . 
     When the medical treatment device  1  having the configuration described above is mounted on the eyeball EB as depicted in  FIG. 2 , the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B puncture the cornea CO until the distal ends of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B reach the angle AN. Therefore, the aqueous humor staying at the angle AN can be discharged to the outside of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B along the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B, and the intraocular pressure which has been raised by the glaucoma can be decreased. Here, because the grooves  31  are formed on the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B from the distal end of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B toward the inner face of the spherical portion  2 , the aqueous humor can be discharged along the grooves  31 . Consequently, the discharging efficiency of the aqueous humor can be enhanced. 
     With the present embodiment having the configuration described above, the following effects are achieved. 
     In particular, because the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B are provided on the eyeball EB side of the spherical portion  2 , the medical treatment device  1  can be mounted on the eyeball EB similarly to a contact lens, and the burden on the patient upon treatment of the glaucoma can be reduced. 
     Further, because the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B have the grooves  31  extending in the projection direction, the aqueous humor can be discharged along the grooves  31 . Consequently, the discharging efficiency of the aqueous humor can be improved. 
     Further, because the spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B are formed from a material having biodegradability, a stimulus to the eyeball EB can be suppressed. Therefore, the medical treatment device  1  can be left mounted for a long period of time on the eyeball EB, and removal of the medical treatment device  1  from the eyeball EB can be carried out readily. 
     Further, because the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B are provided at positions of the cornea CO, the aqueous humor can be discharged efficiently. 
     Further, because the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B have such a length that they can reach the angle AN or penetrate the iris IR, the aqueous humor can be discharged efficiently. 
     Furthermore, because a gel-like material is applied to an outer edge portion of the spherical portion  2 , the spherical portion  2  is less likely to move, and the medical treatment device  1  can be prevented from being displaced with respect to the eyeball EB. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A medical treatment device  1  according to a second embodiment of the present invention is different from that of the first embodiment in that the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B have a through-hole  32  extending through the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B and the spherical portion  2  as depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     The through-hole  32  is formed to extend in the projection direction of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B. The through-hole  32  is open at one end thereof to the distal end of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B and open at the other end thereof to an outer side face  22  of the spherical portion  2 . 
     With the present embodiment, the following effect is achieved in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. 
     In particular, because the aqueous humor is discharged to the outer surface of the medical treatment device  1  through the through-holes  32 , the outer surface of the medical treatment device  1  can be kept in a wet state. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A medical treatment device  1  according to a third embodiment of the present invention is different from that of the first embodiment in that the spherical portion  2  has an opening  23  at a central portion thereof as depicted in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     With the present embodiment, the following effects are achieved in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. 
     In particular, because the spherical portion  2  has the opening  23 , the central portion of the spherical portion  2  can be prevented from being soiled by emissions discharged along the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B. 
     Further, because the surface of the eyeball EB can be exposed through the opening  23 , the oxygen permeability of the spherical portion  2  can be improved. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     A medical treatment device  1  according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from that of the first embodiment in that the spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B are different in configuration and that a communication passage  4  is provided in the spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B as depicted in  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6 . 
     An annular passage  24  is provided in the spherical portion  2  and formed concentrically with the spherical portion  2  as viewed in plan. 
     The puncture portions  3 A and  3 B individually have an opening at the distal end thereof and has a passage  33  provided therein for connecting the opening and the annular passage  24 . Here, the puncture portion  3 A has such a length that it extends through the cornea CO and reaches the angle AN when the medical treatment device  1  is mounted on the eyeball EB as depicted in  FIG. 6  while the other puncture portion  3 B has such a length that it extends through the cornea CO and reaches a sclera SC. 
     The communication passage  4  is configured from the annular passage  24  of the spherical portion  2  and the passages  33  of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B and communicates the openings of the puncture portion  3 A and the puncture portion  3 B with each other. 
     With the present embodiment, the following effect is achieved in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. 
     In particular, because the aqueous humor discharged once can be returned to the sclera SC through the communication passage  4 , the eyeball EB can be prevented from being inflected by emissions. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     A medical treatment device  1  according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is different from that of the first embodiment in configuration of the puncture portion  3 B as depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
     The medical treatment device  1  includes the spherical portion  2 , a puncture portion  3 A as a first puncture portion, and a puncture portion  3 B as a second puncture portion having such a length that it reaches a vitreous body VB when the medical treatment device  1  is mounted on the eyeball EB. 
     With the present embodiment, the following effects are achieved in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. 
     In particular, when complications of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration occur, if anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents necessary for treatment of the age-related macular degeneration are instilled in a state in which the medical treatment device  1  is mounted on the eyeball EB, then the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents can be administered into the vitreous body VB through the puncture portion  3 B. It is to be noted that, because the internal pressure of the aqueous humor is high, the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents do not enter the eye chamber through the puncture portion  3 A. 
     Further, if anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents are applied to the surface of the puncture portion  3 B in advance, then if the medical treatment device  1  is mounted on the eyeball EB, then the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents applied to the surface of the puncture portion  3 B in advance can be administered into the vitreous body VB. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     A medical treatment device  1  according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is different from that of the first embodiment in that the spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B are different in configuration and that a puncturing member  5  for puncturing the eyeball EB with the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B is provided as depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . 
     The spherical portion  2  has an opening  23  formed at a central portion thereof. The puncture portions  3 A and  3 B have a through-hole  32  as an accommodation hole formed so as to extend in the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B through the spherical portion  2 . The through-hole  32  extends through the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B and the spherical portion  2 . 
     Here, the spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B are formed from a material softer than that in the first embodiment. 
     The puncturing member  5  includes a base portion  51  and projections  52  projecting from the base portion  51  and is configured for separation from the spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B. 
     The base portion  51  is formed in a spherical shape and has a size sufficient to cover the opening  23  of the spherical portion  2 . 
     The projections  52  are formed similarly in shape and size to the through-holes  32  and are configured for accommodation in the through-holes  32 . 
     Here, the puncturing member  5  is formed from a material harder than that of the spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B. Therefore, when the medical treatment device  1  is mounted on the eyeball EB, by pushing in the puncturing member  5  in a state in which the projections  52  of the puncturing member  5  are accommodated in the through-holes  32  of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B, the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B puncture the eyeball EB to the angle AN. Thereafter, the puncturing member  5  is separated from the spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B while the spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B are indwelled as depicted in  FIG. 8B . 
     With the present embodiment, the following effect is achieved in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. 
     In particular, because the puncturing member  5  is provided, the spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B can be formed from a soft material, and an uncomfortable feeling of a patient while the medical treatment device  1  is indwelled can be moderated. 
     It is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but modifications, improvements and so forth to them within a range within which the object of the present invention can be achieved fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     For example, the configuration to be provided on the spherical portion  2  or the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B in order to discharge the aqueous humor efficiently is not limited to those in the embodiments described hereinabove, but, for example, such a configuration as depicted in  FIG. 9A or 9B  may be applied. In the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B depicted in  FIG. 9A , a hole  34  is provided in the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B such that it is open at one end thereof to the distal end of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B and is open at the other end thereof to the side face of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B. On the other hand, in the spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B depicted in  FIG. 9B , a hole  35  is provided such that it is open at one end thereof to the distal end of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B and is open at the other end thereof to the inner side face  21  of the spherical portion  2 . 
     The spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B may be formed from some other material such as, for example, a resin or a metal if the material has biodegradability. Further, the spherical portion  2  and the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B may be formed from materials different from each other. 
     In regards to the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B, it is necessary to provide at least one puncture portion, and only one puncture portion may be provided or two or more puncture portions may be provided. 
     Further, the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B may have such a length that they extend through the iris IR when the medical treatment device  1  is mounted on the eyeball. 
     Furthermore, the opening of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B may be provided at any other portion than the distal end if the aqueous humor can be discharged through the opening. 
     For the accommodation hole in the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B, it is only necessary to accommodate the projection  52  of the puncturing member  5  therein and allow the projections  52  to puncture the eyeball EB with the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B of the projections  52 . For example, the accommodation hole may not extend to the distal end of the puncture portions  3 A and  3 B. Alternatively, an accommodation hole may be provided separately from the through-hole  32 . 
     The puncturing member  5  may have an arbitrary shape such as a spherical shape or an annular shape only if it has the projections  52 . 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.