Internal shunt and method for treating glaucoma

• US 9,844,462 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2015
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Inventors: Yablonski, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva, Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): TREYGER, ILYA Y
• Application Number:
  US14/610,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20150223982A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/36 Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation ; Extra-corporeal blood circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/00 Drainage appliance for wounds or the like , i.e. wound drains, implanted drains negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90; implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 ; middle ear drainage A61F11/202

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.

Claims

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;

forming a flap in a sclera of an eye;

folding back the flap;

removing tissue from the sclera to form a scleral lake;

inserting the tube into the eye so that the tube diverts fluid from the scleral lake to a suprachoroidal space of the eye.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising suturing the tube to the eye.

3. A method as in claim 1, further comprising cutting through a scleral bed formed when the flap in the sclera is folded back.

4. A method as in claim 1, further comprising removing a trabeculectomy specimen.

5. A method as in claim 4, wherein removing the trabeculectomy specimen creates a direct communication to the anterior chamber from the scleral lake.