Glaucoma shunt and method for draining aqueous humor
First Claim
1. An implantable shunt device useful in treating glaucoma, comprising:
- an episcleral plate having first and second surfaces, wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces includes texture means over substantially the entire surface thereof, for preventing excess fibrosis of a fibrous capsule forming around the episcleral plate;
a catheter having a first end adapted for insertion into the anterior chamber of the eye, and a second end mounted adjacent to the episcleral plate; and
a valve in a wall of the catheter, between the first end and the second end of the catheter to shunt fluid within the catheter to a location exterior of the catheter.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable shunt device useful in treating glaucoma includes an episcleral plate and a catheter having a first end adapted for insertion into the anterior chamber of the eye, and a second end mounted adjacent to the episcleral plate. A slit valve is provided in a wall of the catheter between the first end and the second end, and the opposing, generally planar surfaces of the episcleral plate are textured to interrupt the formation of a dense fibrous capsule and to promote vascularization around the episcleral plate. In order to restrict the flow of fluid through the catheter to the episcleral plate until a fibrous capsule forms around the episcleral plate, the catheter is temporarily occluded utilizing a biodegradable ligation tied between the slit valve and the second end of the catheter. In the immediate post-operative period, excess aqueous humor is forced to flow through the slit valve, which provides a significant pressure drop. Once the ligature is resorbed, aqueous humor is free to flow through the catheter to the episcleral plate for resorption into the vascular system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An implantable shunt device useful in treating glaucoma, comprising:
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an episcleral plate having first and second surfaces, wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces includes texture means over substantially the entire surface thereof, for preventing excess fibrosis of a fibrous capsule forming around the episcleral plate; a catheter having a first end adapted for insertion into the anterior chamber of the eye, and a second end mounted adjacent to the episcleral plate; and a valve in a wall of the catheter, between the first end and the second end of the catheter to shunt fluid within the catheter to a location exterior of the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An implantable shunt device useful in treating glaucoma, comprising:
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an episcleral plate; a single-lumen catheter having a first end adapted for insertion into the anterior chamber of the eye, and a second end mounted adjacent to the episcleral plate; a valve in a wall of the catheter, situated between the first end and the second end of the catheter, for shunting fluid from the catheter lumen exteriorly of the catheter; and means for restricting the flow of fluid through the catheter to the episcleral plate until a fibrous capsule forms around the episcleral plate. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for treating glaucoma with a surgically implantable device, the steps comprising:
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inserting a first end of a catheter into the anterior chamber of the eye; securing a plate, connected to a second end of the catheter, to the sclera of the eye; providing a slit valve in a wall of the catheter between the first end and the second end thereof; restricting the flow of fluid through the catheter to the plate upon implantation of the surgically implantable device by ligating the catheter between the slit valve and the second end of the catheter; and non-surgically removing, gradually over an extended length of time, the restriction on the flow of fluid through the catheter to the plate after a fibrous capsule forms around the plate. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification