FLUID COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

• US 20130165840A1
• Filed: 11/08/2010
• Published: 06/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University Hospitals of Cleveland (University Hospitals Health System Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: University Hospitals of Cleveland (University Hospitals Health System Incorporated)
• Inventors: Orge, Faruk
• Granted Patent: US 8,771,216 B2
• 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 fluid communication device is configured to provide fluid flow between first and second chambers separated by tissue. The fluid communication device includes a member configured for insertion through and engagement of the tissue. The member includes a first opening near a first end of the member for fluidic communication with the first chamber and a second opening near a second end of the member for fluidic communication with the second chamber, the fluid member including a fluid passage that provides fluidic communication between the first and second chambers. The fluid communication device is configured to be positioned with the eye to provide fluid communication between an anterior chamber of the eye and Schlemm'"'"'s canal.

Claims

1. A fluid communication device configured to provide fluid flow between first and second chambers separated by tissue, the device including:

a body configured to engage the tissue, the body including a first opening for fluidic communication with the first chamber, a second opening for fluidic communication with at least one member, and a fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the openings;

the at least one member extending from the body and being configured to be inserted through the tissue, the at least one member including a first opening near a first end of the member for fluidic communication with the second chamber, a second opening near a second end of the member for fluidic communication with the second opening of the body, and a fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the openings; and

a head extending from the first end of the member, the head being configured to be insertable through the tissue;

2. A fluid communication device according to claim 1, further including at least one tissue engager extending from the member, the at least one tissue engager being configured to secure the device to the tissue.

3. A fluid communication device according to claim 1, wherein the head comprises a dissolvable material that is dissolvable to place the first chamber and second chamber in fluidic communication.

4. A fluid communication device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid passage in the at least one member is configured to close when a pressure in the first chamber is below a predetermined pressure and open when the pressure in the first chamber is above the predetermined pressure, thereby regulating pressure in the first chamber.

5. A fluid communication device according to claim 1, wherein the ate least one member includes at least one opening disposed along its length, the at least one opening being in fluidic communication with the fluid passage of the member.

6. A fluid communication device according to claim 1, wherein the body is curved to substantially conform to the shape of the tissue.

7. A fluid communication device according to claim 1, wherein the body further includes at least one installation key engagable by an implantation device to install the fluid communication device.

8. A fluid communication device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid passage in the at least one member is a longitudinally extending through hole.

9. A fluid communication device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid passage in the at least one member is a channel extending longitudinally along the outer circumference of the member.

10. A fluid communication device configured to provide fluid flow between first and second chambers separated by tissue, the device including:

a body configured to engage the tissue, the body including first and third openings for fluidic communication with the first chamber, second and fourth openings for fluidic communication with first and second members respectively, a first fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the first and second openings and a second fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the third and fourth openings;

the first and second members extending from the body and being configured to be inserted through the tissue;

the first member including a first opening near a first end of the member for fluidic communication with the second chamber, a second opening near a second end of the member for fluidic communication with the second opening of the body, and a fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the openings;

the second member including a first opening near a first end of the member for fluidic communication with the second chamber, a second opening near a second end of the member for fluidic communication with the fourth opening of the body, and a fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the openings; and

a head extending from the first end of one of the first or second members, the head being configured to be insertable through the tissue;

11. A fluid communication device according to claim 10, further including a second head extending from the first end of the other of the first or second members, the head being configured to be insertable through the tissue.

12. A fluid communication device according to claim 10, wherein the second member is greater in length than the first member.

13. A fluid communication device according to claim 12, wherein the second member is configured to support a wall of the second chamber thereby allowing for unimpeded flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber via the first member.

14. A fluid communication device according to claim 10, wherein the first end of the second member comprises an expandable material that is configured to expand after the second member has been inserted through the tissue and into the second chamber.

15. A fluid communication device according to claim 14, wherein the second member includes at least one opening disposed along its length, the at least one opening being in fluidic communication with the fluid passage of the second member.

16. A fluid communication device according to claim 10, wherein the body includes a cavity that is in fluidic communication with the first and second fluid passages of the body.

17. A method of installing a fluid communication device to provide for fluid flow from an anterior chamber of an eye to Schlemm'"'"'s canal through trabecular meshwork of the eye, the device including a body having a first opening, a second opening and a fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the openings, a member extending from the body including a first opening, a second opening and a fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the openings, and a head extending from a first end of the member, the method including:

advancing the fluid communication device through the anterior chamber toward the trabecular meshwork;

inserting the fluid communication device into the trabecular meshwork by piercing the trabecular meshwork with the head; and

advancing the fluid communication through the trabecular meshwork toward Schlemm'"'"'s canal until the body abuts a wall of the trabecular meshwork in the anterior chamber.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the body includes at least one installation key engagable by an implantation device to install the fluid communication device.

19. A fluid communication device configured to provide fluid flow between an anterior chamber of an eye to Schlemm'"'"'s canal, the fluid communication device comprising:

a member configured for insertion through trabecular meshwork of the eye, the member including a first opening near a first end of the member for fluidic communication with the anterior chamber and a second opening near a second end of the member for fluidic communication with the Schlemm'"'"'s canal, the fluid member including a fluid passage that provides fluidic communication between the openings.

20. The fluid communication device according to claim 19, further comprising a head extending from the first end or the second end of the member, the head being configured to puncture the trabecular meshwork.

21. The fluid communication device according to claim 20, wherein the head comprises a dissolvable material.

22. The fluid communication device according to claim 20, wherein the member comprises a dissolvable material positioned to place the anterior chamber and the Schlemm'"'"'s canal in fluidic communication upon dissolving.