Shunt device and method for treating glaucoma
First Claim
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1. An implant of biocompatible material for treating glaucoma by conducting fluid to Schlemm'"'"'s canal, comprising:
- a body comprising a first section and a second section that are sized and configured to separate inner and outer walls of Schlemm'"'"'s canal while exposing the outer wall to fluid flow;
the first section including a portion that is sized and configured to contact the inner wall of Schlemm'"'"'s canal, the second section having a portion that is sized and configured to contact the outer wall of Schlemm'"'"'s canal, the second section extending from the first section with a length sufficient to separate the inner and outer walls of Schlemm'"'"'s canal, said length being no more than about 0.5 mm;
said body having a flow passage that extends, upon implantation of the body within an eye, from an inlet that is sized and configured to be positioned in an anterior chamber of the eye to an outlet that is sized and configured to be positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal, the outlet being spaced from the outer wall by at least a portion of the second section.
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Abstract
Shunt devices and a method for continuously decompressing elevated intraocular pressure in eyes affected by glaucoma by diverting excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm'"'"'s canal where post-operative patency can be maintained with an indwelling shunt device which surgically connects the canal with the anterior chamber. The shunt devices provide uni- or bi-directional flow of aqueous humor into Schlemm'"'"'s canal.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An implant of biocompatible material for treating glaucoma by conducting fluid to Schlemm'"'"'s canal, comprising:
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a body comprising a first section and a second section that are sized and configured to separate inner and outer walls of Schlemm'"'"'s canal while exposing the outer wall to fluid flow; the first section including a portion that is sized and configured to contact the inner wall of Schlemm'"'"'s canal, the second section having a portion that is sized and configured to contact the outer wall of Schlemm'"'"'s canal, the second section extending from the first section with a length sufficient to separate the inner and outer walls of Schlemm'"'"'s canal, said length being no more than about 0.5 mm; said body having a flow passage that extends, upon implantation of the body within an eye, from an inlet that is sized and configured to be positioned in an anterior chamber of the eye to an outlet that is sized and configured to be positioned in Schlemm'"'"'s canal, the outlet being spaced from the outer wall by at least a portion of the second section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification