Internal shunt and method for treating glaucoma
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of treating glaucoma, comprising:
- providing an elongated tube comprising at least one inflow port, at least one outflow port and an internal fluid passageway communicating between the at least one inflow port and at least one outflow port;
creating a tunnel in eye tissue;
inserting the tube through the tunnel;
positioning the tube entirely within an interior of the eye such that the at least one inflow port of the fluid passageway is positioned in and communicates with the anterior chamber and the at least one outflow port of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space;
leaving only the tube inside the eye; and
diverting aqueous humor through the fluid passageway from the anterior chamber toward the suprachoroidal space.
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Abstract
A surgical technique and device wherein an indwelling tube is placed in the eye of a patient having glaucoma. The tube diverts aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the suprachoroidal space from which it is removed by blood flowing in the choroidal and uveal tissues. This decreases the intraocular pressure.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of treating glaucoma, comprising:
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providing an elongated tube comprising at least one inflow port, at least one outflow port and an internal fluid passageway communicating between the at least one inflow port and at least one outflow port; creating a tunnel in eye tissue; inserting the tube through the tunnel; positioning the tube entirely within an interior of the eye such that the at least one inflow port of the fluid passageway is positioned in and communicates with the anterior chamber and the at least one outflow port of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space; leaving only the tube inside the eye; and diverting aqueous humor through the fluid passageway from the anterior chamber toward the suprachoroidal space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19)
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8. A method of treating glaucoma, comprising:
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providing a tube having an internal lumen, a first opening for fluid to flow into the internal lumen, and a second opening for fluid to flow out of the internal lumen; creating a tunnel in eye tissue; inserting the tube through the tunnel; positioning the tube inside an eye so that the first opening is inside the anterior chamber and the second opening communicates with the suprachoroidal space; leaving only the tube inside the eye; and causing fluid to flow from the anterior chamber into the internal lumen through the first opening and out of the internal lumen toward the suprachoroidal space through the second opening. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification