Glaucoma shunt
First Claim
1. An implant for draining aqueous from an eye, comprising:
- a thin, elastomeric plate having first and second surfaces, said first surface curved to spherically to conform to a curvature of the eye, said first surface defining a periphery and a central portion, and a longitudinal recess formed in said plate extending from an anterior portion of said plate to said central portion; and
a drainage tube for draining aqueous from the eye and onto said plate, said tube extending at least partially within said recess and having first and second ends, said first end for insertion into the eye and said second end located in said recess.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A glaucoma shunt includes a plate having filtration and fixation portions. In some embodiments the filtration portion includes a surface provided with stiffening ribs which increase rigidity and an upper surface provided with a ridge. The fixation portion extends anteriorly to facilitate access thereto. A drainage tube is recessed within the plate and extends through the ridge to a central portion of the filtration portion. By emptying the tube at the central portion of the filtration portion, the tube outlet is distanced from perimetric scar tissue which can otherwise obstruct the tube outlet. The ridge keeps tissue over the plate spaced from the outlet of the tube to further facilitate drainage.
216 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An implant for draining aqueous from an eye, comprising:
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a thin, elastomeric plate having first and second surfaces, said first surface curved to spherically to conform to a curvature of the eye, said first surface defining a periphery and a central portion, and a longitudinal recess formed in said plate extending from an anterior portion of said plate to said central portion; and
a drainage tube for draining aqueous from the eye and onto said plate, said tube extending at least partially within said recess and having first and second ends, said first end for insertion into the eye and said second end located in said recess. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An implant for draining aqueous fluid from an eye, comprising:
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a thin, elastomeric plate having first and second surfaces, said first surface curved to spherically to conform to a curvature of the eye, and at least one of said first and second surfaces having anterior-posterior ribs formed thereon; and
a drainage tube having first and second ends for draining aqueous from the eye and onto said plate, said first end for insertion into the eye and said second end located to drain aqueous onto said plate. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An implant for draining aqueous from an eye, comprising:
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a single thin, elastomeric plate having first and second surfaces, said first surface defining a periphery and a central portion and curved to spherically to conform to a curvature of the eye; and
a drainage tube having first and second ends for draining aqueous from the eye and onto said plate, said first end for insertion into the eye and said second end located at said central portion of said first surface. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An implant for draining aqueous from an eye, comprising:
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a thin, elastomeric plate having first and second surfaces, said first surface curved to spherically to conform to a curvature of the eye, said plate defining a posterior filtration portion and an anterior fixation portion, said fixation portion partly defined by a narrow waist at a junction of the filtration and fixation portions; and
a drainage tube having first and second ends, said first end for insertion into the eye and said second end located to empty aqueous onto said plate. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An implant for draining aqueous from an eye, comprising:
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a thin, elastomeric plate having first and second surfaces, said first surface curved to spherically to conform to a curvature of the eye;
first lateral extensions coupled to said plate with live hinges; and
a drainage tube having first and second ends for draining aqueous from the eye to the plate, said first end for insertion into the eye and said second end coupled relative to said plate. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. An implant for draining aqueous from an eye, comprising:
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a thin, elastomeric plate having first and second surfaces each defining peripheral and central portions, said first surface curved to spherically to conform to a curvature of the eye;
at least one crossbeam extending laterally across a central portion of one of said first and second surfaces; and
a drainage tube having first and second ends for draining aqueous from the eye to the plate, said first end for insertion into the eye and said second end provided adjacent said at least one crossbeam. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification