APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOWERING INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE IN AN EYE
First Claim
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1. An apparatus configured for implantation in the eye to relieve intraocular pressure, comprising:
- a pump sized for implant into a cavity formed in the scleral tissue of the eye of a patient;
an intake conduit extending from said pump to an intake aperture at a distal end;
said intake conduit having a length providing a means to position said intake aperture in a communication with the anterior chamber of said eye;
an outflow conduit extending from a first end in communication with said pump, to an outflow aperture at a distal end of said outflow conduit;
said outflow conduit having a length configured to position said outflow conduit within a layer of said scleral tissue or exterior to scleral tissue and said eye;
a photovoltaic cell in an electrical communication with said pump, said photovoltaic cell configured for a mounting within the cornea of said eye;
said photovoltaic cell communicating electric energy to power said pump to an energized state using a conversion of light communicated thereto through said cornea;
said pump in said energized state providing a pumping of fluid from said anterior chamber to an exit at said outflow aperture; and
said pumping of fluid providing a means to lower and maintain an intraocular pressure of said eye.
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Abstract
An eye mounted device configured to actively evacuate fluid from the anterior chamber of the eye to an exterior region or the sclera of the eye. The device employs a miniature pump powered by a photovoltaic cell which is mounted in the clear corneal tissue and which may be curved in the same shape as the eye. One or a combination of pressure sensors and timers determine the duration the device evacuates fluid from the user'"'"'s eye.
39 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus configured for implantation in the eye to relieve intraocular pressure, comprising:
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a pump sized for implant into a cavity formed in the scleral tissue of the eye of a patient; an intake conduit extending from said pump to an intake aperture at a distal end; said intake conduit having a length providing a means to position said intake aperture in a communication with the anterior chamber of said eye; an outflow conduit extending from a first end in communication with said pump, to an outflow aperture at a distal end of said outflow conduit; said outflow conduit having a length configured to position said outflow conduit within a layer of said scleral tissue or exterior to scleral tissue and said eye; a photovoltaic cell in an electrical communication with said pump, said photovoltaic cell configured for a mounting within the cornea of said eye; said photovoltaic cell communicating electric energy to power said pump to an energized state using a conversion of light communicated thereto through said cornea; said pump in said energized state providing a pumping of fluid from said anterior chamber to an exit at said outflow aperture; and said pumping of fluid providing a means to lower and maintain an intraocular pressure of said eye. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification