Glaucoma drain

• US 20040092856A1
• Filed: 10/28/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ioltechnologie-Production
• Original Assignee: Ioltechnologie-Production
• Inventors: Dahan, Elie
• Granted Patent: US 7,118,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/8
• 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 concerns a glaucoma drain for non-penetrating deep sclerotomy, made of non-resorbable and hydrophilic synthetic material. The invention is characterised in that the drain is configured to be entirely covered by the scleral flap and totally inserted in the intrascleral space. It comprises a transverse bar (110) at one front end of the drain and a longitudinal body (120) extending longitudinally from said transverse bar. The transverse bar (110, 10) is configured to run along and cover the Schlemm'"'"'s canal (CS) and the opposite ends are configured to penetrate beneath the deep sclera inside the Sclemm'"'"'s canal. A hole (125) between the arms of the bar provides a target for possible YAG laser micro-punctures.

Claims

1. A glaucoma drain for deep non-penetrating sclerectomy, produced from hydrophilic non-resorbable synthetic material, characterized in that the drain is configured to be entirely covered by the scleral flap and completely inserted inside the intrascleral space.

2. A glaucoma drain according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a transverse bar (10, 50, 110) at a front end of the drain and a longitudinal body (20, 60, 120) extending longitudinally from said transverse bar.

3. A glaucoma drain according to claim 2, characterized in that its general form is that of a T.

4. A glaucoma drain according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drain is produced from 38% polyHEMA or hydrophilic acrylic.

5. A glaucoma drain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse bar (10, 50, 110) comprises at least one projection (12, 52, 112) on the posterior face (31, 71, 131) of the drain.

6. A glaucoma drain according claim 5, characterized in that a pair of projections (12, 52, 112) is disposed on the respective arms constituted by the transverse bar (10, 50, 110) and form a channel between them.

7. A glaucoma drain according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the section of each of the projections (12, 52, 112) tapers towards the apex situated near the respective terminal portions of the transverse bar (10, 50).

8. A glaucoma drain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal body (20, 60, 120) tapers from the transverse bar towards its free end.

9. A glaucoma drain according to any one of the claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the transverse bar (10, 110) is configured to extend along and cover Schlemm'"'"'s canal (CS) and the opposite ends are configured to penetrate under the deep sclera inside Schlemm'"'"'s canal (CS).

10. A glaucoma drain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width of the transverse bar (10, 50, 110) is between approximately 3 and 4 mm.

11. A glaucoma drain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drain comprises an opening (22, 72, 122) for suturing the drain to the deep scleral flap.

12. A glaucoma drain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the total length of the drain is between approximately 2.5 and 3.50 mm.

13. A glaucoma drain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front edge (14) is substantially straight and is configured to be in contact over its entire length with the trabeculo-descemetic membrane.

14. A glaucoma drain according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the front edge (54, 114) projects in order to tension the trabeculo-descemetic membrane.

15. A glaucoma drain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front edge has a convex portion (54, 114).

16. A glaucoma drain according to claim 14, characterized in that the projecting front edge (54, 114) is convex and is provided between the front edges of the lateral arms.

17. A glaucoma drain according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hole (125) is provided between arms of the bar (50) and constitutes a target for locating laser micro-punctures.