Eye filtration prostheses
First Claim
1. An eye filtration prosthesis for relieving intraocular pressure from within an eye, the eye having an interior portion and a periphery thereabout, said device comprising:
- conduit means for receiving fluid from within the interior portion of the eye and draining fluid away from the eye;
said conduit means including a drainage tube and a drainage plate attached thereto;
drainage port means for draining fluid received by said conduit means out of said prosthesis at a location exterior of the eye;
said drainage port means being located about the periphery of said drainage plate;
a low pressure gradient unidirectional valve within said conduit means, said valve including means for allowing fluid to pass away from the eye under low pressure gradient conditions and preventing retrograde flow back into the eye; and
flow restrictor means for restricting fluid from flowing within said conduit means away from the eye; and
wherein said prosthesis, when implanted, is operable in a flow restricted state in which said flow restrictor means restricts fluid from flowing within said conduit means away from the eye and out of said prosthesis; and
a free flow state in which said flow restrictor means has been deactivated to allow fluid to freely flow there past, with said valve allowing fluid to flow though said conduit means under low pressure gradient conditions while preventing retrograde flow back into the eye.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A technique and device for relieving intraocular pressure with a reduced risk of inflammation that may be caused by retrograde flow back into the eye. A unidirectional drainage device is implanted which allows fluid to flow away from the eye with a minimal pressure gradient (5 mm Hg. or less), and includes means to prevent retrograde flow. When implanted, the drainage passageway is initially restricted by a flow restrictor. After fibrosis has occurred to prevent excessive drainage that might cause hypotony, the flow restrictor is severed to allow the free flow of fluid away from the eye, with inflammatory debris being prevented from reentering the eye. In one embodiment, the flow restrictor includes barbs which hold it to the device after it has been severed, thereby preventing the flow restrictor from floating freely within the eye after it has been cut.
66 Citations
7 Claims
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1. An eye filtration prosthesis for relieving intraocular pressure from within an eye, the eye having an interior portion and a periphery thereabout, said device comprising:
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conduit means for receiving fluid from within the interior portion of the eye and draining fluid away from the eye;
said conduit means including a drainage tube and a drainage plate attached thereto;drainage port means for draining fluid received by said conduit means out of said prosthesis at a location exterior of the eye;
said drainage port means being located about the periphery of said drainage plate;a low pressure gradient unidirectional valve within said conduit means, said valve including means for allowing fluid to pass away from the eye under low pressure gradient conditions and preventing retrograde flow back into the eye; and flow restrictor means for restricting fluid from flowing within said conduit means away from the eye; and wherein said prosthesis, when implanted, is operable in a flow restricted state in which said flow restrictor means restricts fluid from flowing within said conduit means away from the eye and out of said prosthesis; and
a free flow state in which said flow restrictor means has been deactivated to allow fluid to freely flow there past, with said valve allowing fluid to flow though said conduit means under low pressure gradient conditions while preventing retrograde flow back into the eye. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification