METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLUID DRAINAGE OF THE EYE

• US 20090287136A1
• Filed: 05/18/2009
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ocumatrx Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ocumatrx Incorporated
• Inventors: Castillejos, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,157,759 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

Abstract

An implantable drain for the anterior chamber of the eye for venting fluid therefrom to relieve pressure. The device features a serpentine draining conduit having an aggregate length much longer than a liner conduit. The conduit is engaged within the sclera in a pocket formed under a scleral flap. The conduits may be interchanged with a shunt or other component communicating into the anterior chamber.

Claims

1. An implantable drain for venting fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye comprising:

a shunt having a first end and a second end and a passageway therethrough;

said first end of said shunt adapted to engage within the anterior chamber of an eye;

a conduit having a sidewall running between a first end and a second end, said conduit having an axial passage running therethrough and communicating with said first end;

a plurality of apertures communicating through said sidewall with said axial passage;

means of sealed engagement of said first end of said conduit with said second end of said shunt;

said sealed engagement connecting said passageway with said axial passage; and

said conduit adapted for mounting within a spaced formed in the scleral layer of said eye, whereby fluid from said anterior chamber communicated to said scleral layer when said shunt is engaged with said anterior chamber.

2. The implantable drain of claim 1, further comprising:

said conduit having a beginning at said first end of said conduit and to a serpentine shaped portion;

said serpentine portion formed by a plurality of segments of said conduit traversing back and forth across an axis extending from said first end to said second end of said conduit;

said serpentine portion having a plurality of said apertures therein;

said serpentine portion and said neck portion combining to yield a total aggregate length of said conduit which is longer than a first length of said conduit running along a line directly between said first end and said second end; and

said aggregate length providing means to place a longer conduit within said sclera within a space in said sclera adapted in a length of said space to house a said conduit of said first length therein.

3. The implantable drain of claim 2 wherein said serpentine portion of said conduit contains sufficient said segments to yield a said aggregate length of said conduit between two and three times said first length.

4. The implantable drain of claim 2 wherein said means of sealed engagement of said first end of said conduit with said second end of said shunt provides a removable engagement therewith;

a plurality of said conduits each having a different respective said aggregate length and each having said apertures running along said respective length;

each of said plurality of conduits engageable with said second end of said shunt;

whereby means to vary a fluid volume evacuated from said anterior chamber is provided through engaging any one of said plurality of conduits to said shunt.

5. The implantable drain of claim 3 wherein said means of sealed engagement of said first end of said conduit with said second end of said shunt provides a removable engagement therewith;

a plurality of said conduits each having a different respective said aggregate length and each having said apertures running along said respective length;

each of said plurality of conduits engageable with said second end of said shunt;

whereby means to vary a fluid volume evacuated from said anterior chamber is provided through engaging any one of said plurality of conduits to said shunt.

6. The implantable drain of claim 4 additionally comprising:

secondary means to vary said fluid volume evacuated provided by one or a combination of members of a group of means to vary fluid flow including, adjusting a diameter of said apertures, adjusting a diameter of said axial passage.

7. The implantable drain of claim 5 additionally comprising:

secondary means to vary said fluid volume evacuated provided by one or a combination of members of a group of means to vary fluid flow including, adjusting a diameter of said apertures, adjusting a diameter of said axial passage.

said serpentine portion formed by a plurality of segments of said conduit traversing back and forth across an axis extending from said first end to said second end of said conduit;