Apparatus and method for non-pharmacological treatment of glaucoma and lowering intraocular pressure

• US 20050283108A1
• Filed: 06/10/2005
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James A. Savage
• Original Assignee: James A. Savage
• Inventors: Savage, James A.
• Application Number:
  US11/149,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20050283108A1
• 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

An apparatus and method for treating glaucoma and lowering IOP is herein disclosed. A method for draining aqueous includes creating an incision in the sclera, opening a scleral flap, and inserting a drainage tube between an associated anterior chamber and at least one aqueous vein. The device has a tube with proximal and distal ends that connects between the anterior chamber and the aqueous veins, collector channels, veins, or distal veins.

Claims

1. A method for draining aqueous, the method comprising the steps of:

creating a limbal incision; and

,

inserting a drainage tube between an associated anterior chamber and at least one of the group comprising;

at least one aqueous vein, at least one collector channel, at least one vein, and at least one distal vein.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the limbal incision is tunneled from a posterior location in the sclera.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the limbal incision is a substantially straight hole through the limbus into the anterior chamber.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein creating a limbal incision further comprises the steps of:

creating an incision in the sclera; and

,

opening a scleral flap.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the tube is located on the sclera.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises:

covering the tube with graft material.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

covering the tube with the scleral flap.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

inserting the drainage tube between the anterior chamber and at least one collector channel.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

inserting the drainage tube between the anterior chamber and at least one distal vein.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

inserting the drainage tube between the anterior chamber and at least one aqueous vein.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

inserting the drainage tube between the anterior chamber and at least one vein.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the tube is located on the sclera.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

covering the tube with graft material.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises:

covering the tube with a scleral flap.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

inserting the drainage tube into the anterior chamber with micro forceps.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises the step of:

suturing the tube in place via fixation plates and suture holes.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

inserting multiple drainage tubes into at least one of the group comprising;

multiple aqueous veins, multiple collector channels, multiple veins, and multiple distal veins.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

measuring episcleral venous pressure to select an optimal site for tube placement.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the episcleral venous pressure is measured using a micromanometer.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

coating the tube with an anti-clotting substance.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the tube is coated with heparin.

22. The method of claim 9, wherein the drainage tube bypasses the aqueous veins and collector channels.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

utilizing a lens to magnify the incision.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

inserting a pump to ensure that intraocular pressure is maintained.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

adjusting the speed of the pump to maintain intraocular pressure.

26. An apparatus for draining aqueous, the apparatus comprising:

a tube, the tube having a proximal and a distal end and a flow opening; and

,

at least one retaining device, for holding the tube in place.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, the at least one retaining device comprising:

at least one fixation plate; and

,

at least one suture hole.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, the at least one retaining device comprising:

a nipple, the nipple attached to the proximal end.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, the apparatus further comprising:

a one-way valve.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, the apparatus further comprising:

a tapered tip; and

,

the nipple being angled at substantially a 135 degree angle with respect to the flow opening.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, the apparatus further comprising:

multiple tubes, the multiple tubes located at the distal end.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, the apparatus further comprising:

a micromanometer.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, the micromanometer comprising:

a transducer;

a bulb;

a wire connecting the transducer to the bulb;

an air intake for the bulb; and

,

a pressure sensor.

34. The apparatus of claim 26, the apparatus further comprising:

a tube extender, the tube extender having serrated ridges.

35. The apparatus of claim 26, the apparatus further comprising:

a chuck, the chuck comprising;

a lens;

a port; and

,

a channel.

36. The apparatus of claim 26, the apparatus further comprising:

connectors, the connectors having a shape chosen from the group comprising T-shaped and Y-shaped.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, the connectors having serrated ridges.

38. The apparatus of claim 26, the apparatus comprising:

a cowl, the cowl covering the tube;

at least one fixation hole for holding the cowl in place.

39. The apparatus of claim 26, the apparatus comprising:

a pump mechanism, the pump attached the drainage tube.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, the apparatus comprising:

a feedback device, the device connected to the pump.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the pump mechanism is adapted to draw the aqueous humor from the anterior chamber through the tube and into one of the group comprising:

aqueous vein, collector channel, vein, and distal vein.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the pump mechanism further comprises a power source operatively connected thereto.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the pump mechanism has length, width, and thickness dimensions of approximately 2 mm by approximately 2 mm by approximately 500 microns, respectively.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the pump mechanism is implanted posterior to an associated limbus.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the pump mechanism further comprises a posterior surface, the posterior surface being concave.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the pump mechanism further comprises a power source having a posterior surface, the posterior surface being concave.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the pump mechanism has length, width, and thickness dimensions of approximately 6 mm, approximately 10 mm, and approximately 3 mm, respectively.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the pump mechanism is adapted to operate on a demand basis, such that the required flow through the tube to achieve desired intraocular pressure varies according to diurnal fluctuation in aqueous production.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising a feedback mechanism for monitoring work performed by the pump mechanism to achieve the desired intraocular pressure.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the pump mechanism is adapted to be adjusted without having to surgically dissect tissues to expose a large portion of the pumping mechanism.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, further comprising pressure reading means for transmitting intraocular pressure readings to a controller.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the pump mechanism comprises a wafer.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the wafer is surrounded by a microchip and an insulating protective layer.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the pump mechanism is located on the surface of an associated eye.

55. The apparatus of claim 26, the apparatus comprising:

multiple insertion tubes located at the distal end.

56. The apparatus of claim 26, the at least one retaining device comprising:

at least one fixation dagger.