Ophthalmic device for draining excess intraocular fluid

• US 5,626,559 A
• Filed: 05/01/1995
• Issued: 05/06/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ramot University Authority For Applied Research and Industrial Development Limited
• Original Assignee: Ramot University Authority For Applied Research and Industrial Development Limited
• Inventors: Solomon, Arie
• Primary Examiner(s): Clarke, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cho, David J.
• Application Number:
  US08/431,530
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 604/8, 604/9, 604/10, 604/294, 604/295
• US Class Current: 604/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

An ophthalmic device for removal of excess intraocular fluid from the eye, the device having a general shape resembling that of a thumbtack and comprising a head portion, and a leg portion essentially normal to the head portion. The head portion is dome-shaped with its edges defining an essentially planar surface which together with the dome-shaped portion defines a captured space. The leg portion has one end attached to or integral with the head portion within the captured space, and has another, free end, provided with an annular shoulder tapered in the direction of the free end. The leg defining a duct leading from one or more first opening at the free end to one or more second openings at the proximal end, with the one or more second openings leading into the captured space, the duct being provided with one-way valve means permitting flow of fluid only in the direction of the first openings to the second openings. The distance between the surface and the shoulder is about that of the thickness of the cornea or sclera of the eye. The device being fixed in the eye by inserting the free end of the leg through the cornea or sclera, following which the shoulder engages the inner surface of the cornea or sclera and the edges of the head portion rest on the external surface of the cornea of sclera.

Claims

1. An implant device for draining intraocular fluid from the anterior cavity of an eye comprising:

a generally domed shaped head portion having a concave inner surface and at least one opening for draining fluid, said head portion terminating in a circular or elliptical edge adapted to engage the eye so as to define a fluid receiving space bounded by said head portion and said eye;

a leg portion comprising a first end adapted to pierce the sclera or cornea of the eye, an opposite second end mounted to the concave inner surface of said head portion, a first fluid opening at said first end, a second fluid opening at said second end in communication with said fluid receiving space, and a fluid duct communicating said first and second fluid openings;

wherein an opening is defined between said edge and said leg portion for absorption of said fluid by the area of the eye between said edge and said leg; and

a valve for controlling fluid flow through said implant.

2. The eye implant device of claim 1 wherein said head portion has a radius of curvature less than the radius of curvature of the eye.

3. The implant device of claim 1, wherein said generally domed shaped head portion is releasably secured to said leg portion.

4. An implant device for draining intraocular fluid from the interior chamber of an eye comprising:

a generally domed shaped head portion having a concave inner surface and at least one opening for draining fluid, said head portion terminating in a circular or elliptical edge adapted to engage the eye so as to define a fluid receiving space bounded by said head portion and said eye;

a leg portion comprising a first end adapted to pierce the sclera or cornea of the eye, an opposite second end mounted to the concave inner surface of said head portion, a first fluid opening at said first end, a second fluid opening at said second end in communication with said fluid receiving space, and a fluid duct communicating said first and second fluid openings; and

a valve for controlling fluid flow through said implant;

wherein said leg portion includes a plurality of spaced second openings communicating with said fluid receiving space.

5. An implant device for draining intraocular fluid from the interior chamber of an eye comprising:

a generally domed shaped head portion having a concave inner surface and at least one opening for draining fluid, said head portion terminating in a circular or elliptical edge adapted to engage the eye so as to define a fluid receiving space bounded by said head portion and said eye;

a leg portion comprising a first end adapted to pierce the sclera or cornea of the eye, an opposite second end mounted to the concave inner surface of said head portion, a first fluid opening at said first end, a second fluid opening at said second end in communication with said fluid receiving space, and a fluid duct communicating said first and second fluid openings; and

a valve for controlling fluid flow through said implant;

wherein said generally domed shaped head portion has an apex, and wherein said head portion has at least one fluid drainage opening disposed closer to said apex than said edge.