Active drainage systems with pressure-driven valves and electronically-driven pump
First Claim
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1. An IOP control system for implantation in an eye of a patient, comprising:
- a drainage tube configured to convey aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of the eye;
a pressure-driven valve system in fluid communication with the drainage tube, the valve system actuatable in response to pressure differentials acting on the pressure-driven valves and configured to control flow rates of the aqueous humor, the pressure-driven valve system comprising a first pressure-driven valve and a second pressure-driven valve arranged in series to operate independently of each other;
wherein the pressure-driven valves control flow rates of the aqueous humor along the drainage tube by shifting in response to pressure differentials between the anterior chamber of the eye, the drainage site, and the atmospheric pressure; and
further wherein the pressure-driven valves each include an S-shaped flow control member; and
an electrically-driven pump system in fluid communication with the drainage tube and the pressure-driven valve system, the electrically-driven pump system being arranged to selectively control aqueous humor flow rates through the drainage tube and influence the pressure differentials affecting the valve system.
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Abstract
An IOP control system for implantation in an eye of a patient is disclosed. The IOP control system includes a drainage tube configured to convey aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of an eye and includes a pressure-driven valve system in fluid communication with the drainage tube and configured to control flow rates of the aqueous humor. The valve system includes a plurality of pressure-driven valves arranged to operate in cooperation with each other. The IOP control system may include an electronic pump system to further regulate flow.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An IOP control system for implantation in an eye of a patient, comprising:
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a drainage tube configured to convey aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of the eye; a pressure-driven valve system in fluid communication with the drainage tube, the valve system actuatable in response to pressure differentials acting on the pressure-driven valves and configured to control flow rates of the aqueous humor, the pressure-driven valve system comprising a first pressure-driven valve and a second pressure-driven valve arranged in series to operate independently of each other;
wherein the pressure-driven valves control flow rates of the aqueous humor along the drainage tube by shifting in response to pressure differentials between the anterior chamber of the eye, the drainage site, and the atmospheric pressure; and
further wherein the pressure-driven valves each include an S-shaped flow control member; andan electrically-driven pump system in fluid communication with the drainage tube and the pressure-driven valve system, the electrically-driven pump system being arranged to selectively control aqueous humor flow rates through the drainage tube and influence the pressure differentials affecting the valve system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An IOP control system for implantation in an eye of a patient, comprising:
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a drainage tube configured to convey aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of the eye; a pressure-driven valve system in fluid communication with the drainage tube, the valve system actuatable in response to pressure differentials acting on the pressure-driven valves and configured to control flow rates of the aqueous humor; an electrically-driven pump system in fluid communication with the drainage tube and the pressure-driven valve system, the electrically-driven pump system being arranged to selectively control aqueous humor flow rates through the drainage tube and influence the pressure differentials affecting the valve system; a processor coupled to the electrically-driven pump system; a pressure sensor system coupled to the processor, the pressure sensor system comprising a first pressure sensor located in fluid communication with the anterior chamber of an eye and a second pressure sensor located at a drainage site;
wherein a difference between the readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor approximates a pressure differential between the anterior chamber and the drainage site; anda power source; wherein the processor is configured to control the pump to adjust the rate of aqueous flow through the drainage tube based on sensed pressures. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. An IOP control system for implantation in an eye of a patient, comprising:
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a drainage tube configured to convey aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of the eye; a pressure-driven valve system in fluid communication with the drainage tube, the valve system actuatable in response to pressure differentials acting on the pressure-driven valves and configured to control flow rates of the aqueous humor; an electrically-driven pump system in fluid communication with the drainage tube and the pressure-driven valve system, the electrically-driven pump system being arranged to selectively control aqueous humor flow rates through the drainage tube and influence the pressure differentials affecting the valve system; a processor coupled to the electrically-driven pump system; a pressure sensor system coupled to the processor, the pressure sensor system comprising a first pressure sensor configured for positioning in fluid communication with the anterior chamber of an eye and a second pressure sensor located remotely from the first pressure sensor such that the second pressure sensor measures atmospheric pressure;
wherein a difference between the readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor approximates IOP; anda power source; wherein the processor is configured to control the pump to adjust the rate of aqueous flow through the drainage tube based on sensed pressures. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An IOP control system for implantation in an eye of a patient, comprising:
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a drainage tube configured to convey aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of the eye; a pressure-driven valve system in fluid communication with the drainage tube, the valve system actuatable in response to pressure differentials acting on the pressure-driven valves and configured to control flow rates of the aqueous humor; an electrically-driven pump system in fluid communication with the drainage tube and the pressure-driven valve system, the electrically-driven pump system being arranged to selectively control aqueous humor flow rates through the drainage tube and influence the pressure differentials affecting the valve system; a processor coupled to the electrically-driven pump system; a pressure sensor system coupled to the processor, the pressure sensor system comprising a first pressure sensor configured for positioning in fluid communication with a drainage site and a second pressure sensor located remotely from the first pressure sensor such that the second pressure sensor measures atmospheric pressure;
wherein a difference between the readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor approximates the gauge drainage site pressure; anda power source; wherein the processor is configured to control the pump to adjust the rate of aqueous flow through the drainage tube based on sensed pressures. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification