IMPLANTABLE OCULAR MICROAPPARATUS TO AMELIORATE GLAUCOMA OR AN OCULAR OVERPRESSURE CAUSING DISEASE
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microapparatus (11) implantable in the eye (13) comprises a cuasi-bistable microvalve (21) commanded by an intraocular pressure sensor (23) in situ. The microvalve mechanism includes a diaphragm (27) made of a conjugated polymer (29) that shows high deformation and biocompatibility capabilities and which volume depends from the electric potential applied by its pair of electrodes (31). The sensor and actuator-valve are coupled to a drainage conduit (15), the first to deform by the pressure in the ocular globe and the second in a position of buckling to normally close the drainage conduit. The sensor us a membrane of conductive polymeric material with the same properties and whose ohmic resistance varies with the mechanical deformation produced by the ocular pressure.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1-19. -19. (canceled)
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20. A microapparatus (11) implantable in an eye to ameliorate glaucoma or ocular overpressure causing disease, the microapparatus comprising:
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a drainage conduit (15) at one end (17) thereof for communicating with the ocular cavity (13) of a patient, an actuator (21) comprising a normally-closed valve arranged in said drainage conduit, means (23) for sensing fluid pressure in said drainage conduit between said end and said valve and opening said valve in response to detection of overpressure therein, and a power supply (43) connected to said actuator and said sensing means, characterized in that said actuator includes a closing member (21) made of electroactive polymeric material (27-29). - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification