Ophthalmological device with adaptable multiple distribution plates
First Claim
1. A medical device for treating a patient suffering from glaucoma where intraocular fluid collects in the intraocular chamber of the eye of a patient elevating the intraocular pressure, includinga valve having a body member holding a pair of overlying elastic membranes in tension to form therebetween a chamber, said membranes providing an elongated, slit-like opening therebetween, which is normally in a closed position and opens when the pressure in the chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure and returns to the closed position when the pressure in the chamber is below said predetermined pressure, and an inlet tube in communication with and connected to the chamber at a point remote from the opening,a primary distribution plate connected to the valve and adapted to be placed in one selected ocular quadrant of the eye, said primary distribution plate having a raised perimeter with at least one opening in said perimeter,a secondary distribution plate adapted to be placed in another selected ocular quadrant of the eye and having a raised perimeter with at least one opening in said perimeter,at least one pair of solid plugs, each one inserted into an opening in the perimeters of the primary and secondary distribution plates, said solid plugs being removable,at least one pair of secondary plugs, each having a central passageway, said secondary plugs being inserted into the openings in the perimeters of the primary and secondary distribution plates upon the removal of the solid plugs,an connecting tube sized to fit inside the central passageway of the secondary plugs and inserted in said openings with the distance between the primary and secondary distribution plates being adjusted by positioning the secondary plugs along the length of said connecting tube,said connecting tube placing the primary and secondary distribution plates in fluid communication with each other.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical device includes a one-way flow valve in communication with fluid to be drained. The valve is connected to a primary distribution plate which has a raised perimeter with at least one opening in the perimeter. There is a secondary distribution plate having a raised perimeter with at least one opening in the perimeter. At least one pair of plugs, each having a central passageway, are inserted into the openings in the perimeters of the primary and secondary distribution plates, and an connecting tube places the primary and secondary distribution plates in fluid communication with each other. The tube is sized to fit inside the central passageway of the plugs, with the connecting tube having opposed ends, each end inserted to the passageway in the plugs. The distance between the plugs is adjusted by sliding the plugs along the length of the connecting tube.
149 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A medical device for treating a patient suffering from glaucoma where intraocular fluid collects in the intraocular chamber of the eye of a patient elevating the intraocular pressure, including
a valve having a body member holding a pair of overlying elastic membranes in tension to form therebetween a chamber, said membranes providing an elongated, slit-like opening therebetween, which is normally in a closed position and opens when the pressure in the chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure and returns to the closed position when the pressure in the chamber is below said predetermined pressure, and an inlet tube in communication with and connected to the chamber at a point remote from the opening, a primary distribution plate connected to the valve and adapted to be placed in one selected ocular quadrant of the eye, said primary distribution plate having a raised perimeter with at least one opening in said perimeter, a secondary distribution plate adapted to be placed in another selected ocular quadrant of the eye and having a raised perimeter with at least one opening in said perimeter, at least one pair of solid plugs, each one inserted into an opening in the perimeters of the primary and secondary distribution plates, said solid plugs being removable, at least one pair of secondary plugs, each having a central passageway, said secondary plugs being inserted into the openings in the perimeters of the primary and secondary distribution plates upon the removal of the solid plugs, an connecting tube sized to fit inside the central passageway of the secondary plugs and inserted in said openings with the distance between the primary and secondary distribution plates being adjusted by positioning the secondary plugs along the length of said connecting tube, said connecting tube placing the primary and secondary distribution plates in fluid communication with each other.
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9. A medical device, including
a one-way flow valve in communication with fluid to be drained, a primary distribution plate affixed to the valve, said primary distribution plate having a raised perimeter with at least one opening in the perimeter, a secondary distribution plate having a raised perimeter with at least one opening in the perimeter, at least one pair of plugs, each having a central passageway, one plug being inserted into the openings in the perimeter of the primary distribution plate and the other being inserted into the openings in the perimeter of the secondary distribution plate, a connecting tube for placing the primary and secondary distribution plates in fluid communication with each other and sized to fit inside the central passageway of the plugs, with said connecting tube having opposed ends, each end inserted to a passageway in said plugs, with the distance between plugs being adjusted by sliding the plugs along the length of said connecting tube.
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10. A method for treating glaucoma by draining fluid from the intraocular chamber of a patient'"'"'s eye, including the steps of
(a) providing a medical device including a one-way flow valve attached to a primary distribution plate, said valve having an inlet tube which is placed in communication with the intraocular chamber of the eye so that the fluid drains from the intraocular chamber onto the primary distribution plate under the control of the valve, (b) providing a secondary distribution plate, said primary and secondary distribution plates each having raised perimeters with openings therein adapted to receive plugs, said openings each having diameters of predetermined dimensions, (c) positioning the one-way flow valve with the attached primary distribution plate in a selected ocular quadrant of the eye and providing an connecting tube having opposed ends at which are elastic plugs which each have a passageway therein that receives the connecting tube, (d) positioning the secondary distribution plates in another selected ocular quadrant of the eye and placing the primary distribution plate and the secondary distribution plate in communication with each other through the connecting tube by inserting one plug into the opening in the perimeter of the primary distribution plate and inserting the other plug into the opening in the perimeter of the secondary distribution plate, with the distance between the plates being adjusted to approximately equal the distance between the primary and secondary plates, each plug having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the opening in which it is inserted, (h) stretching the plugs prior to inserting them into the openings and then releasing the plugs after insertion so that the plugs fit snugly in the openings and the diameter of the passageways in the plugs is reduced slightly to hold the connecting tube snugly but not to prevent fluid flow.
Specification