Ocular pressure relief device
First Claim
1. A prosthetic device for the relief of high intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma comprising:
- (a) a limp, expandable, compressible reservoir adapted to be positioned within or adjacent to the exterior eye surface;
said reservoir being constructed so that when so positioned, said reservoir does not resiliently regain its shape and is maintained at about atmospheric pressure;
(b) a proximal conduit having one end extendable into the anterior chamber of the eye and fastenable to the wall of the eye, and having its other end in communication with said reservoir whereby eye fluid may escape into said reservoir;
(c) unidirectional flow means restraining liquid flow within said proximal conduit to a direction toward said reservoir;
said flow means further including pressure relief means adapted to open when the pressure in the eye exceeds the pressure in said reservoir by a pre-set threshold pressure; and
(d) means communicating said reservoir with surrounding liquid-receptive tissue and having valve means permitting only unidirectional flow therethrough, whereby said reservoir may be manipulated to a high reservoir pressure needed to expel eye fluid outwardly therefrom through said distal conduit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A prosthetic device for the relief of high intraocular pressures associated with glaucoma is shown. The device includes a limp reservoir adapted to be worn against or within the eye wall, a conduit leading from the reservoir to the anterior chamber of the eye, and means for communicating the reservoir with liquid-receptive tissue. Unidirectional flow means, such as a check valve, is employed to prevent back-flow of liquid into the anterior chamber. When the reservoir is periodically compressed, aqueous humor collected in the reservoir is expelled into liquid-receptive tissue where it is absorbed or is passed to the venous system.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A prosthetic device for the relief of high intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma comprising:
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(a) a limp, expandable, compressible reservoir adapted to be positioned within or adjacent to the exterior eye surface;
said reservoir being constructed so that when so positioned, said reservoir does not resiliently regain its shape and is maintained at about atmospheric pressure;(b) a proximal conduit having one end extendable into the anterior chamber of the eye and fastenable to the wall of the eye, and having its other end in communication with said reservoir whereby eye fluid may escape into said reservoir; (c) unidirectional flow means restraining liquid flow within said proximal conduit to a direction toward said reservoir;
said flow means further including pressure relief means adapted to open when the pressure in the eye exceeds the pressure in said reservoir by a pre-set threshold pressure; and(d) means communicating said reservoir with surrounding liquid-receptive tissue and having valve means permitting only unidirectional flow therethrough, whereby said reservoir may be manipulated to a high reservoir pressure needed to expel eye fluid outwardly therefrom through said distal conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A prosthetic device for the relief of high intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma comprising:
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(a) a limp, expandable, compressible reservoir having a capacity of about 20-100 microliters and adapted to be positioned within or adjacent to the exterior eye surface;
said reservoir being constructed so that when so positioned, said reservoir does not resiliently regain its shape and is maintained at about atmospheric pressure;(b) a proximal conduit having one end extendable into the anterior chamber of the eye and fastenable to the wall of the eye, and having its other end in communication with said reservoir whereby eye fluid may escape into said reservoir, and said conduit having an outer diameter of about 0.4 to 1.0 mm; (c) unidirectional flow means restraining liquid flow within said proximal conduit to a direction toward said reservoir;
said flow means further including pressure relief means adapted to open when the pressure in the eye exceeds the pressure in said reservoir by a pre-set threshold pressure; and(d) means communicating said reservoir with surrounding liquid-receptive tissue and having valve means permitting only unidirectional flow therethrough, whereby said reservoir may be manipulated to a high reservoir pressure needed to expel eye fluid outwardly therefrom through said distal conduit.
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8. A method of treating a patient having elevated intraocular pressure comprising:
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(a) surgically attaching to the eye of the patient a pressure relief device having a limp, expandable reservoir, a proximal conduit communicating with the reservoir and including a unidirectional flow means, and a distal conduit, also communicating with the reservoir, comprising the steps of; (i) securing the reservoir to the eye so that the reservoir may be compressed by manual pressure; (ii) inserting the proximal end of the proximal conduit into the anterior chamber of the eye; and (iii) locating the distal conduit in liquid receptive tissue; and (b) compressing the reservoir from time to time to expel accumulated aqueous humor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification