Osmotically actuated fluidic valve
First Claim
1. An implantable fluidic valve actuated by osmotic pressure gradient including:
- an input fluid channel;
an output fluid channel in fluid communication with the input fluid channel at an aperture;
a semi-permeable membrane forming a portion of a sealed chamber, the semi-permeable membrane having an outer surface forming a wall of the input fluid channel, and having an inner surface forming a wall of the sealed chamber, the membrane being configured to allow diffusion of a solvent into and out of the sealed chamber; and
a first electrode and a second electrode disposed within the sealed chamber configured to receive a voltage.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable fluidic valve actuated by osmotic pressure gradient and methods of operating it are provided. The valve includes: an input fluid channel; an output fluid channel in fluid communication with the input fluid channel at an aperture; and a semi-permeable membrane forming a portion of a sealed chamber. The semi-permeable membrane may have an outer surface forming a wall of the input fluid channel, and an inner surface forming a wall of the sealed chamber, the membrane being configured to allow diffusion of a solvent into and out of the sealed chamber; and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed within the sealed chamber configured to receive a voltage. A pump including the above elements and a check valve is provided. An ocular implant including an inlet tube sized to receive aqueous humor and an intra-ocular pressure control system having a fluidic valve as above is also provided.
218 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An implantable fluidic valve actuated by osmotic pressure gradient including:
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an input fluid channel; an output fluid channel in fluid communication with the input fluid channel at an aperture; a semi-permeable membrane forming a portion of a sealed chamber, the semi-permeable membrane having an outer surface forming a wall of the input fluid channel, and having an inner surface forming a wall of the sealed chamber, the membrane being configured to allow diffusion of a solvent into and out of the sealed chamber; and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed within the sealed chamber configured to receive a voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An ocular implant for treating an ocular condition, comprising:
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an inlet tube sized to receive aqueous humor; and an intra-ocular pressure (TOP) control system to regulate drainage of aqueous humor from the inlet tube;
the TOP control system comprising a fluidic valve comprising;an input fluid channel coupled to the inlet tube; an output fluid channel in communication with the input fluid channel at an aperture; and a semi-permeable membrane configured to selectively displace relative to the aperture, the membrane having an outer side adjacent the input fluid channel and an inner side forming a part of a chamber, the chamber comprising; a first electrode and a second electrode configured to affect free ions in the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. An ocular implant for treating an ocular condition, comprising:
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an input fluid channel; an output fluid channel in fluid communication with the input fluid channel at an aperture; a semi-permeable membrane forming a portion of a sealed chamber, the semi-permeable membrane having an outer surface forming a wall of the input fluid channel, and having an inner surface forming a wall of the sealed chamber, the membrane being configured to allow diffusion of a solvent into and out of the sealed chamber; and a first electrode and a second electrode disposed within the sealed chamber to change a volume of the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification