Internal shunt and method for treating glaucoma
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of treating glaucoma, comprising:
- providing an elongated tube comprising a first end having 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 passageway in eye tissue;
inserting the tube through the passageway;
positioning the tube within an interior of the eye such that the at least one inflow port of the tube is positioned in and communicates with the anterior chamber and the at least one outflow port of the tube communicates with the suprachoroidal space, and such that a portion of the tube having the first end bends away from an inner surface of the cornea;
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.
299 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of treating glaucoma, comprising:
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providing an elongated tube comprising a first end having 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 passageway in eye tissue; inserting the tube through the passageway; positioning the tube within an interior of the eye such that the at least one inflow port of the tube is positioned in and communicates with the anterior chamber and the at least one outflow port of the tube communicates with the suprachoroidal space, and such that a portion of the tube having the first end bends away from an inner surface of the cornea; 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, 8, 9, 11)
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10. A method of treating glaucoma, comprising:
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providing a tube having an internal lumen, a first end with 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 passageway in eye tissue; inserting the tube through the passageway; 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 and such that that a portion of the tube having the first end bends away from an inner surface of the cornea; 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 (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification