Power Generator For Glaucoma Drainage Device

• US 20110071454A1
• Filed: 01/12/2010
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Dos Santos, Cesario, Rickard, Matthew J.A.
• Application Number:
  US12/685,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20110071454A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

A glaucoma drainage device has a tube shunting the anterior chamber to a drainage location. A power generator has a rotor coupled to a micro-generator. The power generator is configured to generate energy from aqueous flowing through the tube. The force required to drive the rotor can be controlled to control the flow of aqueous through the tube. Alternatively, energy generated by the power generator is stored in a power source that powers an active valve, a pressure sensor, or telemetry.

Claims

1. A glaucoma drainage device comprising:

a tube shunting the anterior chamber to a drainage location; and

a power generator configured to generate energy from aqueous flowing through the tube.

2. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 1 wherein the power generator further comprises:

a rotor coupled to a micro-generator.

3. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 2 wherein the force required to turn the rotor is varied such that the flow of aqueous through the tube is controlled.

4. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 1 wherein the drainage location is a subconjunctival space of the eye.

5. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 1 further comprising:

a power source for storing power generated by the power generator.

6. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 5 further comprising:

an active valve coupled to the tube, wherein the power source provides power to the active valve.

7. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 5 further comprising:

a first pressure sensor located in fluid communication with an anterior chamber of an eye; and

a second pressure sensor located in the drainage location;

wherein a difference between readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor approximates a pressure differential between the anterior chamber and the drainage location.

8. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 7 wherein the power generator further comprises:

a rotor coupled to a micro-generator; and

wherein a substantially a constant pressure differential is maintained by controlling a force required to turn the rotor.

9. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 7 wherein the power generator further comprises:

a rotor coupled to a micro-generator; and

wherein the pressure differential is adjusted by controlling a force required to turn the rotor.

10. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 5 further comprising;

a first pressure sensor located in fluid communication with an anterior chamber of an eye; and

a remote pressure sensor located remotely from the first pressure sensor such that the remote pressure sensor measures or approximates atmospheric pressure.

wherein a difference between readings from the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor approximates intraocular pressure.

11. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 10 wherein the remote pressure sensor is located in a subconjunctival space of the eye.

12. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 10 further comprising:

a controller; and

the power generator further comprises a rotor coupled to a micro-generator;

wherein the controller is configured to control the force required to turn the rotor based on the readings from the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor.

13. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 12 wherein a substantially constant intraocular pressure is maintained in the eye by controlling the force required to turn the rotor.

14. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 12 wherein a substantially constant intraocular pressure drop is maintained by controlling the force required to turn the rotor.