Sinus valved glaucoma shunt

• US 20030135149A1
• Filed: 01/13/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Claria Corporation
• Original Assignee: Claria Corporation
• Inventors: Marten, Lewis H., Cullen, Cheryl
• Granted Patent: US 6,966,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and method for treating animals, such as humans and dogs, with primary glaucoma by draining or diverting aqueous humor extraocularly comprising a shunt implant wherein the length and tubing of the shunt ensure fluid flow from the eye directly into the frontal sinus cavity via tubing. The device has crossbeam aids in anchoring the device; four slit valves to control fluid flow at required volume; and bulb that anchors in the frontal sinus cavity. The device is preferably made of medical grade radiopaque silicone rubber, and is flexible. Other improvements and a method for implanting the device are disclosed as well.

Claims

1. A shunt device for diverting or draining fluid from an animal'"'"'s eye from the anterior chamber into the frontal sinus cavity, the shunt device comprising

a tubing;

a crossbeam affixed to the tubing;

a bulb affixed to said tubing; and

at least one slit valve,

wherein the tubing'"'"'s length conducts the aqueous humor flow from the anterior chamber of an animal'"'"'s eye into the frontal sinus cavity.

2. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the animal is a mammal.

3. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the animal is a human.

4. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the animal is a dog.

5. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the shunt is adapted to be anchored to the periosteum of the frontal sinus.

6. The shunt of claim 1, further comprising a guide needle.

7. The shunt of claim 6, wherein the guide needle is a 20 or 22 gauge BD precision guide needle.

8. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the bulb is molded to the tubing.

9. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the bulb comprises an angled portion and a rounded portion.

10. The shunt of claim 9, wherein the angle portion is 52°

from a line perpendicular to the tubing.

11. The shunt of claim 10, wherein the rounded portion has a diameter of approximately 4 mm.

12. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the at least one slit valve has consistent opening and closing pressures.

13. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the at least one slit valve has an opening pressure of 18-20 mmHg.

14. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the tubing is medical grade radiopaque silicone rubber.

15. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the tubing has an inner diameter of 0.64 millimeters and an outside diameter of 1.2 millimeters.

16. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the bulb is clear silicone.

17. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the crossbeams are fluorocarbon suture material.

18. The shunt of claim 1, wherein when the shunt is tugged back slightly during implantation, the bulb holds the device in position.

19. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the crossbeams are cemented to the tubing.

20. The shunt of claim 1, wherein the crossbeams are approximately 11 millimeters in diameter measured through the tubing.

21. A method for treating primary glaucoma in an animal comprising implanting in the animal'"'"'s eye in need thereof an anterior chamber shunt, said shunt comprising:

a tubing;

a crossbeam affixed to the tubing;

a bulb; and

a slit valve,

wherein the tubing'"'"'s length ensures aqueous humor flow from the anterior chamber of an animal'"'"'s eye directly into the frontal sinus cavity.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the shunt is anchored to the periosteum of the frontal sinus.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising a guide needle.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the guide needle is a 20 gage BD precision guide needle.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the bulb is molded to the tubing.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the bulb comprises an angled portion and a rounded portion.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the angle portion is 52°

from a line perpendicular to the tubing.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the rounded portion has a diameter of approximately 4 mm.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the slit valves have consistent opening and closing pressures.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one slit valve has an opening pressure of 18-20 mmHg.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein the tubing is medical grade radiopaque silicone rubber.

32. The method of claim 21, wherein the tubing has an inner diameter of 0.64 millimeters and an outside diameter of 1.2 millimeters.

33. The method of claim 21, wherein the bulb is clear silicone.

34. The method of claim 21, wherein the crossbeams are fluorocarbon suture material.

35. The method of claim 21, wherein when the shunt is tugged back slightly during implantation, the bulb holds the device in position.

36. The method of claim 21, wherein the crossbeams are cemented to the tubing.

37. The method of claim 21, wherein the crossbeams are approximately 11 millimeters in diameter measured through the tubing.

38. A method for preventing postoperative hypotony comprising implanting in an animal'"'"'s eye in need thereof a shunt, said shunt comprising:

a tubing;

a crossbeam affixed to the tubing;

a bulb; and

a slit valve,

wherein the tubing'"'"'s length allows for aqueous humor flow from the anterior chamber of an animal'"'"'s eye directly into the frontal sinus cavity.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the shunt is anchored to the periosteum of the frontal sinus.

40. The method of claim 38, further comprising a guide needle.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the guide needle is a 20 or 22 gauge BD precision guide needle.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the bulb is molded to the tubing.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein the bulb comprises an angled portion and a rounded portion.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the angle portion is 52°

from a line perpendicular to the tubing.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the rounded portion has a diameter of approximately 4 mm.

46. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least one slit valve has consistent opening and closing pressures.

47. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least one slit valve has an opening pressure of 18-20 mmHg.

48. The method of claim 38, wherein the tubing is medical grade radiopaque silicone rubber.

49. The method of claim 38, wherein the tubing has an inner diameter of 0.64 millimeters and an outside diameter of 1.2 millimeters.

50. The method of claim 38, wherein the bulb is clear silicone.

51. The method of claim 38, wherein the crossbeams are fluorocarbon suture material.

52. The method of claim 38, wherein when the shunt is tugged back slightly during implantation, the bulb holds the device in position.

53. The method of claim 38, wherein the crossbeams are cemented to the tubing.

54. The method of claim 38, wherein the crossbeams are approximately 11 millimeters in diameter measured through the tubing.