Method for manufacturing a flow regulating implant

• US 6,510,600 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2000
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optonol, Ltd. (Alcon Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Optonol, Ltd. (Alcon Incorporated)
• Inventors: Yaron, Ira, Yarden, Orit
• Primary Examiner(s): Vidovich, Gregory M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cozart, Jermie E.
• Application Number:
  US09/729,050
• Publication Number:
  US 20010000527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 294/28, 294/45, 295/06, 295/14, 295/21, 604/93, 604/264, 604/8-10, 604/164, 604/30, 604/523
• US Class Current: 29/428
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49861 Sizing mating parts during final positional association

Abstract

An implant includes a tube for permitting fluid flow. A flow controlling rod may be inserted within the tube passage. One or more holes around the circumference of the tube may be selectively permanently or temporarily occluded to give desired flow characteristics.

A delivery device for implanting the implant may include a central bore in which a retractable wire is located. The retractable wire penetrates a tube passage of the implant when the implant is attached to the delivery device. A hook on the delivery device prevents the implant from moving down the wire. After the implant is in position in the eye, the retention wire is retracted out of the implant. With the retention wire retracted, the implant is then free to slide away from the hook, allowing the delivery device to be withdrawn, leaving the implant in place.

In a method for manufacturing an implant, two tubes of different diameters are utilized. The smaller tube fits inside the longitudinal bore of the larger tube. When the tubes are cut, the smaller tube forms the tube of the implant and the remaining portions of the larger tube form the retention projection and/or disk of the implant.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an implant comprising the steps of:

selecting a first tube having a longitudinal bore and a second tube having a longitudinal bore and dimensioned to fit inside the longitudinal bore of the first tube;

placing the second tube inside the longitudinal bore of the first tube; and

cutting the first tube and the second tube to form the implant;

wherein a portion of the second tube that remains after completion of the cutting forms an implant shaft having an inlet end and an outlet end and portions of the first tube that remain after completion of the cutting form a retention projection near the inlet end of the implant shaft and a flange of the implant near the outlet end of the implant shaft.

2. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 1 wherein at least some of the cutting of the first tube is performed before the second tube is placed inside the longitudinal bore of the first tube.

3. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 1 wherein at least some of the cutting of the first tube is performed after the second tube is placed inside the longitudinal bore of the first tube.

4. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 3 wherein the cutting includes simultaneously cutting the first tube and second tube along an angled plane at the outlet end of the implant shaft.

5. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 1 further comprising the step of welding the second tube to the first tube after the second cube is placed in the longitudinal bore of the first tube.

6. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 1 wherein the flange near an outlet end of the implant shaft is a disk for resting on the sclera of an eye.

7. A method for manufacturing an implant comprising the steps of:

selecting a first tube having a longitudinal bore and a second tube having a longitudinal bore and dimensioned to fit inside the longitudinal bore of the first tube;

placing the second tube inside the longitudinal bore of the first tube; and

cutting the first tube and the second tube to form the implant;

wherein a portion of the second tube that remains after completion of the cutting forms an implant shaft having an inlet end and an outlet end and a portion of the first tube that remains after completion of the cutting forms a retention projection near the inlet end of the implant shaft.

8. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 7 wherein at least some of the cutting of the first tube is performed before the second tube is placed inside the longitudinal bore of the first tube.

9. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 7 wherein at least some of the cutting of the first tube is performed after the second tube is placed inside the longitudinal bore of the first tube.

10. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 9 wherein the cutting includes simultaneously cutting the first tube and second tube along an angled plane at the outlet end of the implant shaft.

11. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 7 further comprising the step of welding the second tube to the first tube after the second tube is placed in the longitudinal bore of the first tube.

12. A method for manufacturing an implant comprising the steps of:

selecting a first tube having a longitudinal bore and a second tube having a longitudinal bore and dimensioned to fit inside the longitudinal bore of the first tube;

placing the second tube inside the longitudinal bore of the first tube; and

cutting the first tube and the second tube to form the implant;

wherein a portion of the second tube that remains after completion of the cutting forms an implant shaft having an inlet end and an outlet end and a portion of the first tube that remains after completion of the cutting forms a flange of the implant near the outlet end of the implant shaft;

wherein the flange near an outlet end of the implant shaft is a disk for resting on the sclera of an eye.

13. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 12 further comprising the step of welding the second tube to the first tube after the second tube is placed in the longitudinal bore of the first tube.

14. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 12 wherein at least some of the cutting of the first tube is performed before the second tube is placed inside the longitudinal bore of the first tube.

15. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 12 wherein at least some of the cutting of the first tube is performed after the second tube is placed inside the longitudinal bore of the first tube.

16. A method for manufacturing an implant as described in claim 15 wherein the cutting includes simultaneously cutting the first tube and second tube along an angled plane at the outlet end of the implant shaft.