Glaucoma Drainage Device with Pump

• US 20110071458A1
• Filed: 07/08/2010
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Rickard, Matthew J.A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,419,673 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: A61P 27/06 Antiglaucoma agents or miotics

Abstract

A glaucoma drainage device may comprise a main drainage tube with a first end configured to be located in an anterior chamber of an eye and a second end configured to be located in a drainage location. A bypass drainage tube is fluidly coupled to and in parallel with the main drainage tube. A pump is in communication with the bypass drainage tube. The pump comprises a first driver and a first flexible membrane enclosing a first chamber. A first check valve is located upstream of the pump, and a second check valve is located downstream of the pump. An active valve is located upstream of the first check valve. The active valve comprises a second driver and a second flexible membrane enclosing a second chamber. A third check valve is located between the active valve and the second end of the main drainage tube. A volume of the first chamber is changed to pump fluid from the anterior chamber to the drainage location.

Claims

1. A glaucoma drainage device comprising:

a tube with a first end configured to be located in an anterior chamber of an eye and a second end configured to be located in a drainage location;

a pump in communication with the tube, the pump comprising a driver and a flexible membrane enclosing a chamber;

a first check valve located upstream of the pump; and

a second check valve located downstream of the pump;

wherein a volume of the chamber is changed to pump fluid from the anterior chamber to the drainage location.

2. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 1 wherein the chamber contains water and the driver is configured to perform electrolysis of the water.

3. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 2 wherein the driver comprises a pair of electrodes in contact with the water.

4. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 1 wherein the drainage location is selected from the group consisting of:

a subconjunctival space, a suprachoroidal space, a subscleral space, a supraciliary space, Schlemm'"'"'s canal, a collector channel, an episcleral vein, and a uveo-scleral pathway.

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

a power source coupled to the driver.

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

a first pressure sensor located in fluid communication with the anterior chamber; 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.

7. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 6 wherein readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are used to control the pump.

8. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 1 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.

9. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 8 wherein the remote pressure sensor is located in a subconjunctival space of the eye.

10. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 8 wherein readings from the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor are used to control the pump.

11. A glaucoma drainage device comprising:

a main drainage tube with a first end configured to be located in an anterior chamber of an eye and a second end configured to be located in a drainage location;

a bypass drainage tube fluidly coupled to and in parallel with the main drainage tube;

a pump in communication with the bypass drainage tube, the pump comprising a first driver and a first flexible membrane enclosing a first chamber;

a first check valve located upstream of the pump;

a second check valve located downstream of the pump;

an active valve located upstream of the first check valve, the active valve comprising a second driver and a second flexible membrane enclosing a second chamber; and

a third check valve located between the active valve and the second end of the main drainage tube;

wherein a volume of the first chamber is changed to pump fluid from the anterior chamber to the drainage location.

12. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 11 wherein the first or second chamber contains water and the first or second driver is configured to perform electrolysis of the water.

13. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 12 wherein the first or second driver comprises a pair of electrodes in contact with the water.

14. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 11 wherein the drainage location is a subconjunctival space of the eye.

15. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 11 further comprising:

a power source coupled to the first and second drivers.

16. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 11 further comprising:

a first pressure sensor located in fluid communication with the anterior chamber; 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.

17. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 16 wherein readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are used to control the pump or the active valve.

18. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 11 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.

19. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 18 wherein the remote pressure sensor is located in a subconjunctival space of the eye.

20. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 18 wherein readings from the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor are used to control the pump or the active valve.

21. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 11 wherein a volume of the second chamber is changed to at least partially occlude the main drainage tube.

22. A glaucoma drainage device comprising:

a drainage tube with a first end configured to be located in an anterior chamber of an eye and a second end configured to be located in a drainage location;

an active valve in communication with the drainage tube, the active valve comprising a driver and a flexible membrane enclosing a chamber; and

a check valve located between the active valve and the second end of the main drainage tube;

wherein a volume of the chamber is changed to at least partially occlude the drainage tube.

23. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 22 wherein the chamber contains water and the driver is configured to perform electrolysis of the water.

24. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 22 wherein the drainage location is a subconjunctival space of the eye.

25. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 22 further comprising:

a power source coupled to the driver.

26. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 22 further comprising:

a first pressure sensor located in fluid communication with the anterior chamber; 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.

27. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 26 wherein readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are used to control the active valve.

28. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 22 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.

29. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 28 wherein the remote pressure sensor is located in a subconjunctival space of the eye.

30. The glaucoma drainage device of claim 28 wherein readings from the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor are used to control the active valve.

31. A method of controlling intraocular pressure of an eye of a patient, the method comprising:

activating a pump to pump aqueous from an anterior chamber of the eye while the patient sleeps; and

deactivating the pump while the patient is awake.