Flow regulating implants

• US 20080125691A1
• Filed: 12/07/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optonol, Ltd. (Alcon Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Optonol, Ltd. (Alcon Incorporated)
• Inventors: Yarden, Orit, Yaron, Ira
• Granted Patent: US 7,670,310 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49861 Sizing mating parts during final positional association

Abstract

An implant includes a tube for permitting fluid flow. A flow controlling rod may be inserted within the tube passage. One or more holes around the circumference of the tube may be selectively permanently or temporarily occluded to give desired flow characteristics.

A delivery device for implanting the implant may include a central bore in which a retractable wire is located. The retractable wire penetrates a tube passage of the implant when the implant is attached to the delivery device. A hook on the delivery device prevents the implant from moving down the wire. After the implant is in position in the eye, the retention wire is retracted out of the implant. With the retention wire retracted, the implant is then free to slide away from the hook, allowing the delivery device to be withdrawn, leaving the implant in place.

In a method for manufacturing an implant, two tubes of different diameters are utilized. The smaller tube fits inside the longitudinal bore of the larger tube. When the tubes are cut, the smaller tube forms the tube of the implant and the remaining portions of the larger tube form the retention projection and/or disk of the implant.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. An implant for regulating fluid flow comprising:

a tube comprising an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage extending between the inlet end and the outlet end for permitting fluid to flow through the tube passage;

wherein the implant has a flow controlling wire or rod located in the tube passage;

wherein the flow controlling wire or rod has a non-circular cross-section and the angular orientation of the flow controlling wire or rod within the tube passage is adjustable with respect to at lease one inlet side hole which opens into the tube passage to adjust the flow characteristics through the implant.

27. An implant according to claim 26 wherein the flow controlling wire or rod has an external groove on its outer surface.

28. An implant according to claim 27 wherein the external groove is straight.

29. An implant according to claim 27 wherein the external groove is helical.

31. An implant for regulating fluid flow comprising:

a tube comprising an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage extending between the inlet end and the outlet end for permitting fluid to flow through the tube passage;

wherein the implant has a flow controlling wire or rod located in the tube passage;

wherein the tube has at least one side hole which opens into the tube passage and the longitudinal location of the flow controlling wire or rod is adjustable relative to the at least one side hole to adjust the flow characteristics through the implant.

32. An implant according to claim 31 wherein the flow controlling wire or rod is biased by a spring within the tube passage so that it is longitudinally adjustable in response to increased pressure at the inlet end.

33. An implant for regulating fluid flow comprising:

a tube comprising an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage extending between the inlet end and the outlet end for permitting fluid to flow through the tube passage;

wherein the implant has a flow controlling wire or rod located in the tube passage;

wherein the tube has at least one side hole which opens into the tube passage and the flow controlling wire or rod is flexible within the tube passage to adjust the flow characteristics through the implant in response to increased fluid pressure at the inlet end.

34. An implant according to claim 33 wherein the at least one side hole is occluded.

35. An implant as claimed in claim 34 comprising at least two side holes wherein the at least two side holes are located at different distances from the outlet end of the implant and wherein the side holes may be occluded or open to provide the implant with different flow characteristics.

36. An implant according to claim 34 wherein the occlusion of at least one side hole is temporary.

37. An implant according to claim 36 wherein the temporary occlusion is caused by material in the hole which is later removed.

38. An implant according to claim 37 wherein the temporary occlusion is caused by an absorbable material located in the hole.

39. An implant according to claim 37 wherein the temporary occlusion is caused by a material located in the hole which is later removed by one of a tool or laser.

40. An implant for regulating fluid flow comprising:

a tube comprising an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage extending between the inlet end and the outlet end for permitting fluid to flow through the tube passage; and

means for increasing an area of flow through the tube passage in response to an increase in pressure of fluid at the inlet end, thereby permitting increased flow of fluid through the tube passage in response to the increased pressure at the inlet end.

41. An implant according to claim 40 wherein the means for increasing an area of flow through the tube passage in response to an increase in pressure of fluid at the inlet end comprises a flow controlling rod that is movable within the tube passage.

42. An implant according to claim 41 wherein the flow controlling rod is bendable within the tube passage.

43. An implant according to claim 41 wherein the flow controlling rod is biased by a spring within the tube passage.

44. An implant according to claim 40 wherein the implant is an intraocular implant adapted for implantation into an eye to permit drainage of aqueous humor.

45. An implant for regulating fluid flow comprising:

a tube comprising an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage extending between the inlet end and the outlet end for permitting fluid to flow through the tube passage; and

a movable flow controlling rod adapted to move to increase an area of flow through the tube passage in response to an increase in pressure of fluid at the inlet end, thereby permitting increased flow of fluid through the tube passage in response to the increased pressure at the inlet end.

46. An implant according to claim 45 wherein the flow controlling rod is bendable within the tube passage.

47. An implant according to claim 45 wherein the flow controlling rod is biased by a spring within the tube passage.

48. An implant according to claim 45 wherein the implant is an intraocular implant adapted for implantation into an eye to permit drainage of aqueous humor.