Bleb drainage device, ophthalmological product and methods
First Claim
1. A method of draining fluid from a bleb including the steps of(a) providing a bleb drainage device comprisinga tubular member having opposed open ends enabling fluid to flow from end to end through the tubular member,inward from one end a stop element enabling the one end to be inserted in one direction through a wall of a bleb but preventing the inserted end from being pulled in the opposite direction through the bleb wall, andalong an exterior of the tubular member at least one anchoring element,(b) inserting the one end through a wall of the bleb, pushing in one direction until the stop element and the inserted end are completely within the interior of the bleb,(c) inserting the other opposed end of the tubular member into a retrobulbar space to enable fluid exiting the tubular member at this other opposed end to drain into said space,(d) suturing the device in position by the anchoring element.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Fluid is drained from a bleb using a device including a tubular member having opposed open ends to enable the fluid to flow from end to end through the tubular member. Inward from one end is a stop element enabling the one end to be inserted in one direction through a wall of the bleb but preventing the inserted end from being pulled in the opposite direction through the bleb wall. The opposed remote end of the tubular member is inserted into the retrobulbar space to enable fluid exiting the tubular member at this remote end to drain into the tissue. Along an exterior of the tubular member is an anchoring element enabling the device to be sutured in position. An ophthalmic product has a bleb drainage feature.
203 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A method of draining fluid from a bleb including the steps of
(a) providing a bleb drainage device comprising a tubular member having opposed open ends enabling fluid to flow from end to end through the tubular member, inward from one end a stop element enabling the one end to be inserted in one direction through a wall of a bleb but preventing the inserted end from being pulled in the opposite direction through the bleb wall, and along an exterior of the tubular member at least one anchoring element, (b) inserting the one end through a wall of the bleb, pushing in one direction until the stop element and the inserted end are completely within the interior of the bleb, (c) inserting the other opposed end of the tubular member into a retrobulbar space to enable fluid exiting the tubular member at this other opposed end to drain into said space, (d) suturing the device in position by the anchoring element.
-
6. A bleb drainage device comprising
a tubular member having opposed open first and second ends enabling fluid to flow from end to end through the tubular member, inward from the first end along a first portion of the tubular member a stop element enabling the first end to be inserted in one direction through a wall of a bleb but preventing the first inserted end from being pulled in the opposite direction through the bleb wall, between the stop element and said second end a second portion of the tubular member having a predetermined length so that, upon implantation of the device, the second end is configured to be placed in or near the retrobulbar space of an eye of a patient, near the stop element and between the stop element and the second end of the tubular member, a bent portion of the tubular member that facilitates inserting said first end into an anterior portion of the bleb, and along an exterior of said second portion of the tubular member at least one anchoring element that enables the device to be sutured in position, where a pair of leg portions of the tubular member are connected by an accordion-type wall that allows the leg portions to be moved relative to each other.
Specification