Systems and Methods for Reducing Intraocular Pressure
First Claim
1. A shunt insertable through a clear cornea of an eye into an anterior chamber thereof for draining aqueous humor to a tear film on an outer surface of the clear cornea, comprising:
- a body having a channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the body for draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the tear film on an outer surface of the clear cornea;
a head positioned at the distal end of the body for engagement against the outer surface of the clear cornea, wherein the head occludes the channel;
a foot positioned at the proximal end of the body for engagement against an inner surface of the cornea; and
a filter disposed within the channel, wherein the filter is adapted to regulate, at least in part, a flow rate of aqueous humor through the channel and wherein the filter defines a torturous path to resist the ingress of microorganisms; and
wherein the head defines a slit through which the aqueous humor passes, thereby creating a flow path between the anterior chamber and the tear film when the shunt is inserted into the clear cornea.
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Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for reducing intraocular pressure, thereby to treat glaucoma and other disorders. The systems of the present invention include a shunt insertable across the clear cornea and a delivery device for inserting the shunt in the transcorneal position. The shunt has a body with a head at one end and a foot at the opposite end, and a channel therethrough permitting the passage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the external surface of the cornea. A removable filter is positioned within the channel to regulate aqueous humor outflow and to resist the incursion of microorganisms.
39 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A shunt insertable through a clear cornea of an eye into an anterior chamber thereof for draining aqueous humor to a tear film on an outer surface of the clear cornea, comprising:
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a body having a channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the body for draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the tear film on an outer surface of the clear cornea; a head positioned at the distal end of the body for engagement against the outer surface of the clear cornea, wherein the head occludes the channel; a foot positioned at the proximal end of the body for engagement against an inner surface of the cornea; and a filter disposed within the channel, wherein the filter is adapted to regulate, at least in part, a flow rate of aqueous humor through the channel and wherein the filter defines a torturous path to resist the ingress of microorganisms; and wherein the head defines a slit through which the aqueous humor passes, thereby creating a flow path between the anterior chamber and the tear film when the shunt is inserted into the clear cornea. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A shunt insertable through a clear cornea of an eye for draining aqueous humor from an anterior chamber to a tear film, the shunt comprising:
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a body comprising a hydrogel and defining a channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the body; a head integrally formed with the body at the distal end of the body; a foot integrally formed with the body at the proximal end of the body; and a filter removably disposed within the channel, wherein the filter is adapted to regulate, at least in part, a flow rate of aqueous humor through the channel and wherein the filter defines a path to resist the ingress of microorganisms; structure defining at least one restricted opening adapted to permit the flow of aqueous humor and resist bacterial invasion, the structure being spaced distally with respect to the filter and the opening having a size smaller than that of the channel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A shunt insertable through a clear cornea of an eye for draining aqueous humor from an anterior chamber to a tear film, the shunt comprising:
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a body defining a channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the body, the body having a lenticular shape; a head fixedly disposed at the distal end of the body, wherein the head has a dome shape; a foot fixedly disposed at the proximal end of the body, wherein the foot has a tapered edge; and an elongate filter fixedly disposed within the channel, wherein the filter is adapted to regulate, at least in part, a flow rate of aqueous humor through the channel and wherein the filter defines a path to resist the ingress of microorganisms; structure defining an elongate aperture adapted to permit the flow of aqueous humor and resist bacterial invasion, the structure being spaced from the filter and the opening having a size smaller than that of the channel. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification