Glaucoma drainage devices including vario-stable valves and associated systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A valve system for use within an ophthalmic device, the valve system comprising:
- an adjustable valve having;
a housing defining a cavity; and
a movable diaphragm bounding at least one side of the cavity;
a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the cavity of the adjustable valve;
an actuator for controlling a flow of fluid between the fluid reservoir and the cavity of the adjustable valve, the actuator comprising a voltage source, a pair of electrodes, an actuator fluid and a bubble-generating system configured to generate bubbles by converting at least a portion of the actuator fluid to a gas, wherein one of the electrodes is positioned within the fluid reservoir and the other electrode is positioned outside of the fluid reservoir;
a first check valve positioned between the fluid reservoir and the cavity of the adjustable valve along a first fluid passageway, the first check valve preventing fluid flow from the fluid reservoir to the cavity of the adjustable valve; and
a second check valve positioned between the fluid reservoir and the cavity of the adjustable valve along a second fluid passageway, the second check valve preventing fluid flow from the cavity of the adjustable valve to the fluid reservoir.
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Abstract
Glaucoma drainage devices including vario-stable valves and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A glaucoma drainage device includes a drainage lumen and a valve system coupled to the drainage lumen to control the flow of fluid through the drainage lumen. The valve system includes an adjustable valve with a diaphragm that is in communication with the drainage lumen and is movable to occupy varying amounts of the drainage lumen. In some embodiments, the valve system is maintained in a desired position without the use of power such that power is only needed when changing a position of the adjustable valve.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A valve system for use within an ophthalmic device, the valve system comprising:
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an adjustable valve having; a housing defining a cavity; and a movable diaphragm bounding at least one side of the cavity; a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the cavity of the adjustable valve; an actuator for controlling a flow of fluid between the fluid reservoir and the cavity of the adjustable valve, the actuator comprising a voltage source, a pair of electrodes, an actuator fluid and a bubble-generating system configured to generate bubbles by converting at least a portion of the actuator fluid to a gas, wherein one of the electrodes is positioned within the fluid reservoir and the other electrode is positioned outside of the fluid reservoir; a first check valve positioned between the fluid reservoir and the cavity of the adjustable valve along a first fluid passageway, the first check valve preventing fluid flow from the fluid reservoir to the cavity of the adjustable valve; and a second check valve positioned between the fluid reservoir and the cavity of the adjustable valve along a second fluid passageway, the second check valve preventing fluid flow from the cavity of the adjustable valve to the fluid reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification