Aqueous humor drainage device
First Claim
1. A device of one piece construction for draining aqueous humor from an eye composed entirely of supple, biologically inert material, the device comprising a drainage body for distributing drained aqueous humor over a relatively large area comprising a band having a width of at least 5 mm, and a length sufficient for the band to pass substantially around, and be sutured to, the sclera of said eye in an equatorial position;
- a drainage tube integrally and firmly fixed to the drainage body and of sufficient length that an end thereof may be safely disposed within the anterior chamber of said eye; and
a pressure gradient limiting slit valve means having a predetermined opening pressure disposed directly proximate to the area of fixation of the drainage tube to the drainage body establishing a direct route of aqueous humor flow between the interior of the drainage tube and a surface of the drainage body, whereby excessive intraocular pressure may be relieved by the controlled drainage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of said eye.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for draining aqueous humor from an eye comprises a drainage tube and a drainage body. The drainage tube drains aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye, and the drainage body distributes drained aqueous humor over a relatively large area. The drainage tube is firmly fixed to the drainage body, and opens directly on to a surface of the drainage body. The drainage body is constituted by a silicone rubber band having a width of at least 5 mm and a length which is sufficient for the band to pass around, and to be sutured to, the sclera of the eye in an equatorial position. The device is provided with a pressure gradient limiting valve having a predetermined opening pressure.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A device of one piece construction for draining aqueous humor from an eye composed entirely of supple, biologically inert material, the device comprising a drainage body for distributing drained aqueous humor over a relatively large area comprising a band having a width of at least 5 mm, and a length sufficient for the band to pass substantially around, and be sutured to, the sclera of said eye in an equatorial position;
- a drainage tube integrally and firmly fixed to the drainage body and of sufficient length that an end thereof may be safely disposed within the anterior chamber of said eye; and
a pressure gradient limiting slit valve means having a predetermined opening pressure disposed directly proximate to the area of fixation of the drainage tube to the drainage body establishing a direct route of aqueous humor flow between the interior of the drainage tube and a surface of the drainage body, whereby excessive intraocular pressure may be relieved by the controlled drainage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of said eye. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- a drainage tube integrally and firmly fixed to the drainage body and of sufficient length that an end thereof may be safely disposed within the anterior chamber of said eye; and
Specification