External Pressure Measurement System and Method for an Intraocular Implant

• US 20130158381A1
• Filed: 02/29/2012
• Published: 06/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Rickard, Matthew J.A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,339,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/399
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/16 for measuring intraocular pressure, e.g. tonometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

An IOP monitoring device for implantation in an eye of a patient may include a first tube having a first opening, the first tube being configured to extend into an anterior chamber of the eye and extend to a first sensor outside the anterior chamber. The first sensor may be in fluid communication with the first opening of the first tube. The device also may include a second tube having an opening spaced from a second sensor. The opening of the second tube may be configured to be exposed to a pressure representative of atmospheric pressure, with the second sensor being in fluid communication with the second opening. In one aspect, a patch is attachable to a globe of the eye and configured to lie over the opening of the second tube and secure the opening in place in the eye.

Claims

1. An IOP (intraocular pressure) monitoring device for implantation in an eye of a patient, comprising:

a first tube having a first opening, the first tube being configured to extend into an anterior chamber of the eye and extend to a first sensor outside the anterior chamber, the first sensor in fluid communication with the first opening of the first tube; and

an atmospheric sensing subsystem, coupled to the first tube, configured to be exposed to a pressure representative of atmospheric pressure, the atmospheric sensing subsystem comprising a second sensor.

2. The IOP monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the first tube comprises walls having electrical leads configured to provide power and communication to and from the atmospheric sensing subsystem.

3. The IOP monitoring device of claim 1, comprising a patch attachable to a globe of the eye and configured to lie over at least a portion of the atmospheric sensing subsystem.

4. The IOP monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the patch is configured to lie over the opening of a second tube.

5. The IOP monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the patch comprises one of pericardium and donor sclera.

6. The IOP monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the patch is configured to overlie at least a portion of the first tube and secure the first tube in place in the eye.

7. The IOP monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the atmospheric sensing subsystem comprises a second tube having an opening spaced from the second sensor, the opening of the second tube being configured to be exposed to a pressure representative of atmospheric pressure, the second sensor being in fluid communication with the second opening.

8. The IOP monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the second sensor is configured to detect pressure within a second tube.

9. The IOP monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is a pressure sensor disposed to measure pressure in the anterior chamber, and the second sensor is a pressure sensor disposed to measure a pressure representative of atmospheric pressure, the IOP monitoring device being configured to compare the pressure in the anterior chamber to the pressure representative of atmospheric pressure.

10. The IOP monitoring device of claim 9, further comprising a processor configured to compare the pressure in the anterior chamber to pressure representative of atmospheric pressure and determine an IOP.

11. The IOP monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the first tube is configured to convey aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to a drainage site outside the anterior chamber.

12. The IOP monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the device is part of an IOP control system for implantation in an eye of a patient to provide drainage from an anterior chamber of the eye to a drainage location at the eye, comprising:

a third sensor configured to detect pressure at the drainage site;

a valve system in fluid communication with the drainage tube and configured for implantation in the eye, the valve system being arranged to control drainage flow through the drainage tube between the anterior chamber and the drainage site; and

a processor in communication with and configured to receive data from the first, second, and third sensors, the processor being configured to control the valve system based on the received data to maintain desired pressures in the anterior chamber and at the drainage site.

13. An IOP monitoring device for implantation in an eye of a patient, comprising:

a main portion configured to be implanted in a subconjunctival pocket;

a first tube extending from the main portion and having a length selected to extend from the main portion in the subconjunctival pocket to an anterior chamber of the eye, the first tube having a first open end disposable in the anterior chamber;

a second tube extending from the main portion, the second tube having an open end;

a pressure element reactive to pressure in the second tube; and

a patch disposed over the opening of the second tube.

14. The IOP monitoring device of claim 13, wherein the pressure element is one of a pressure sensor and/or a pressure-driven flow control valve.

15. The IOP monitoring device of claim 13, wherein the patch comprises one of pericardium and donor sclera.

16. The IOP monitoring device of claim 13, wherein the patch is configured to overlie a portion of the first tube and secure the first tube in place in the eye.

17. The IOP monitoring device of claim 13, further comprising an anterior chamber pressure sensor disposed to measure pressure in the anterior chamber, and wherein the pressure element is a pressure sensor associated with the second tube disposed to measure pressure in the second tube representative of atmospheric pressure, the IOP monitoring device being configured to compare the pressure in the anterior chamber to the pressure representative of atmospheric pressure.

18. An IOP monitoring device for implantation in an eye of a patient, comprising:

a first tube having a first opening configured to be disposed in an anterior chamber of the eye and subject to anterior chamber pressure;

a second tube having a second opening configured to be disposed at a location outside the anterior chamber of the eye in an area subject to a pressure representative of atmospheric pressure;

a main body in communication with the first and second tubes, the main body comprising a pressure element responsive to the anterior chamber pressure and the pressure representative of atmospheric pressure.

19. The IOP monitoring device of claim 18, wherein the pressure element is one of a membrane valve and at least one pressure sensor.

20. The IOP monitoring device of claim 18, further comprising a patch disposed over the second opening.