Multilayer membrane actuators
First Claim
1. An IOP control device for implantation in an eye of a patient, comprising:
- a housing sized for implantation into the eye of the patient and including an entrance port and an exit port; and
a multilayer membrane anchored within the housing in a manner forming a flow control chamber on a first side of the multilayer membrane and a fluid flow passageway on a second opposing side of the membrane, the flow control chamber being arranged to contain an actuator fluid and a gas creating a flow control chamber pressure, the multilayer membrane configured to affect flow through the fluid flow passageway from the entrance port to the exit port by deflecting in response to changes in the flow control chamber pressure, the multilayer membrane comprising;
a first base layer;
an adherent layer;
a regulating layer having a lower gas permeability and a lower flexibility than the first base layer, the regulating layer restricting diffusion of gas in the flow control chamber through the multilayer membrane; and
a second base layer;
wherein the adherent layer and the regulating layer are located between the first base layer and the second base layer, and the first base layer, the regulating layer, the adherent layer, and the second base layer form an integral membrane.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An IOP control device for implantation in an eye of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a housing and a multilayer membrane. The housing is sized for implantation into the eye and includes an entrance port and an exit port. The membrane is anchored within the housing to form a flow control chamber on a first side and a fluid flow passageway on a second opposing side of the membrane. The chamber is arranged to contain a gas creating a chamber pressure, and the membrane is configured to affect flow through the passageway from the entrance port to the exit port by deflecting in response to changes in the chamber pressure. The membrane comprises a first layer having a higher permeability and a higher flexibility than the second layer, which is disposed adjacent the first layer and restricts the diffusion of gas in the chamber through the membrane.
130 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An IOP control device for implantation in an eye of a patient, comprising:
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a housing sized for implantation into the eye of the patient and including an entrance port and an exit port; and a multilayer membrane anchored within the housing in a manner forming a flow control chamber on a first side of the multilayer membrane and a fluid flow passageway on a second opposing side of the membrane, the flow control chamber being arranged to contain an actuator fluid and a gas creating a flow control chamber pressure, the multilayer membrane configured to affect flow through the fluid flow passageway from the entrance port to the exit port by deflecting in response to changes in the flow control chamber pressure, the multilayer membrane comprising; a first base layer; an adherent layer; a regulating layer having a lower gas permeability and a lower flexibility than the first base layer, the regulating layer restricting diffusion of gas in the flow control chamber through the multilayer membrane; and a second base layer; wherein the adherent layer and the regulating layer are located between the first base layer and the second base layer, and the first base layer, the regulating layer, the adherent layer, and the second base layer form an integral membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification