Treatment of glaucoma
First Claim
1. A system for the insertion of a stent through the cornea of an eye, said system directly connecting an anterior chamber of the eye, having aqueous humor therein, to a tear film, for direct pressure relief from a glaucoma condition, said system comprising means for cutting a linear incision in the cornea, means for temporarily gaping open said linear incision, and a separate means for installing the stent within the linear incision while said incision is gaped open by the means for temporarily gaping open the linear incision, whereby when the stent is installed, the stent provides a passage for a direct connection between anterior chamber and the tear film through the cornea.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A treatment of glaucoma by direct flow of the aqueous humor through a slit passage in the cornea to the tear film, while maintaining sterility of the anterior chamber. A stent device, supported by the cornea, provides the passage, with a filter element therein to prevent bacterial incursion within the eye and to regulate aqueous humor flow. The filter may be replaceable, if necessary, by vacuum removal. The invention includes an installation device for cutting the slit and a device for gaping open the slit and for guiding and locking the stent into proper placement.
-
Citations
8 Claims
- 1. A system for the insertion of a stent through the cornea of an eye, said system directly connecting an anterior chamber of the eye, having aqueous humor therein, to a tear film, for direct pressure relief from a glaucoma condition, said system comprising means for cutting a linear incision in the cornea, means for temporarily gaping open said linear incision, and a separate means for installing the stent within the linear incision while said incision is gaped open by the means for temporarily gaping open the linear incision, whereby when the stent is installed, the stent provides a passage for a direct connection between anterior chamber and the tear film through the cornea.
- 6. A drainage stent for relief of excess pressure in an eye, resulting from a glaucoma condition, said stent being adapted to be placed through a cornea of the eye, in a transcorneal position, to directly connect an anterior chamber of the eye and a tear film on the outer surface of the cornea for direct fluid drainage from the anterior chamber and relief of excess pressure, said drainage stent comprising filtration means capable of preventing passage therethrough of bacteria, while permitting sufficient fluid drainage therethrough to relieve excess pressure, wherein the stent comprises a hollow tubular member having a pair of collar elements for respective engagement with an inner and outer surface of the cornea, and wherein the filter is positioned to block access of bacteria through the hollow tubular member.
Specification