Glaucoma treatment device and method
First Claim
1. A device for treating glaucoma in an eye, comprising:
- a body defining a lumen and having first and second ends and external and lumenal surfaces, said body having a length sufficient to provide fluid communication between the anterior chamber and tear film of the eye through said lumen when said device is implanted in the sclera;
a filter membrane capable of providing outflow resistance to aqueous humor flowing through said lumen; and
at least one debris filter positioned at said first end or between said first end and said filter membrane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The device includes a body defining a lumen and having first and second ends and external and lumenal surfaces, wherein the body has a length sufficient to provide fluid communication between the anterior chamber and tear film of the eye through the lumen when the device is implanted in the sclera. The device further includes a filter membrane capable of providing outflow resistance to aqueous humor flowing through the lumen. The device further includes a debris filter positioned either at the first end or between the first end and the filter providing outflow resistance. Methods of treating glaucoma wherein the device is implanted in the sclera of an afflicted eye are also described.
180 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A device for treating glaucoma in an eye, comprising:
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a body defining a lumen and having first and second ends and external and lumenal surfaces, said body having a length sufficient to provide fluid communication between the anterior chamber and tear film of the eye through said lumen when said device is implanted in the sclera;
a filter membrane capable of providing outflow resistance to aqueous humor flowing through said lumen; and
at least one debris filter positioned at said first end or between said first end and said filter membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A one-piece device for treating glaucoma in an eye, comprising:
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a body defining a lumen, said body having sufficient length to provide fluid communication between the anterior chamber and tear film of the eye when implanted in the sclera;
a filter membrane portion having an inflow face, an outflow face, and a peripheral edge wherein at least a portion of said peripheral edge is contiguous with said body defining said lumen, said filter membrane capable of providing a desired outflow resistance to aqueous humor flowing through said lumen; and
a debris filter positioned at said first end or between said first end and said filter membrane portion. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A method for treating glaucoma, comprising:
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providing a device, said device comprising a body defining a lumen and having first and second ends, said body having sufficient length to provide fluid communication between the anterior chamber and tear film of an eye, and said device comprising a filter membrane capable of providing a desired outflow resistance to aqueous humor and a debris filter positioned at said first end or between said first end and said filter membrane; and
implanting said device in the sclera of the eye such that aqueous humor flows from the anterior chamber to the tear film of the eye. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification