Implantable devices and methods for controlling the flow of fluids within the body
First Claim
1. A device which is implantable in a mammalian body to prevent fluid from exceeding a predetermined maximum pressure, within an anatomical cavity of the mammalian body, said device comprising:
- a tube having a side wall, closed proximal end, a distal opening, and a hollow lumen extending longitudinally from said distal opening to said closed proximal end;
a diffusion chamber having an inner cavity defined therewithin, said diffusion chamber being formed of a material that allows fluid to diffuse outwardly therethrough but which prevents cellular ingrowth from invading the inner cavity of said diffusion chamber and mounted in fluid-tight sealing contact upon said tube such that a proximal portion of said tube, located adjacent the proximal end thereof, extends into the inner cavity of said diffusion chamber; and
a pressure-openable aperture formed in the proximal portion of said tube that extends into the inner cavity of said diffusion chamber, said pressure-openable aperture being biased to a closed configuration, and being openable in response to fluid pressure exceeding said predetermined maximum pressure, within the lumen of said tube.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Implantable fluid shunting devices and associated methods for controlling the pressure of fluids within anatomical spaces or cavities of the body. The device generally comprises a tube having a diffusion barrier (e.g., diffusion chamber) formed on a proximal end thereof. Fluid which flows through the tube will collect within the diffusion chamber and will diffuse outwardly therethrough. However, the presence of the diffusion chamber will prevent microbes, cells or other matter from interfering with or backflowing through the tube. Additionally, the tube may be provided with a pressure-openable aperture through which fluid from the tube may flow into the diffusion chamber. Such pressure-openable aperture will remain closed, until the pressure of fluid within the tube exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure PMAX. In this manner, the pressure-openable aperture will limit the amount of fluid drained from the anatomical space or cavity of the body, thereby avoiding hypotony within such anatomical space or cavity.
245 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A device which is implantable in a mammalian body to prevent fluid from exceeding a predetermined maximum pressure, within an anatomical cavity of the mammalian body, said device comprising:
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a tube having a side wall, closed proximal end, a distal opening, and a hollow lumen extending longitudinally from said distal opening to said closed proximal end; a diffusion chamber having an inner cavity defined therewithin, said diffusion chamber being formed of a material that allows fluid to diffuse outwardly therethrough but which prevents cellular ingrowth from invading the inner cavity of said diffusion chamber and mounted in fluid-tight sealing contact upon said tube such that a proximal portion of said tube, located adjacent the proximal end thereof, extends into the inner cavity of said diffusion chamber; and a pressure-openable aperture formed in the proximal portion of said tube that extends into the inner cavity of said diffusion chamber, said pressure-openable aperture being biased to a closed configuration, and being openable in response to fluid pressure exceeding said predetermined maximum pressure, within the lumen of said tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for preventing predetermined types of undesired matter from interfering with the functioning of a tubular shunt which has been implanted in a mammalian body such that a distal end of the tubular shunt is positioned in an anatomical cavity and a proximal end of the shunt located in another region of the body, such that fluid from the anatomical cavity will be drained by the tubular shunt to the other region of the body, said method comprising the step of:
forming a diffusion barrier about the proximal end of the tubular shunt, said diffusion barrier being formed of material which will allow fluid flowing out of the proximal end of said tubular shunt and to subsequently diffuse through said diffusion barrier and into said other region of the body, while preventing said predetermined type of undesirable matter from passing from said other region of the body, into said tubular shunt. - View Dependent Claims (14)
Specification