C-shaped cross section tubular ophthalmic implant for reduction of intraocular pressure in glaucomatous eyes and method of use

• US 9,999,543 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2014
• Issued: 06/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AQ BioMed, LLC
• Original Assignee: AQ BioMed, LLC
• Inventors: Wilcox, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wiest, Philip R
• Application Number:
  US14/587,438
• Publication Number:
  US 20150313758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• Field of Search: 604 8, 604 9, 606107, 606108, 623 41, 623 112, 424422, 424423
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0065 toroidal, e.g. ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

An implant may be used for implantation into tissue of a body. The implant includes an elongated conduit and a loop. The elongated conduit has an interior passageway for conducting fluid. The loop has an interior circumference with a fluid conducting channel formed therein. The channel is interconnected with the interior passageway for delivery of fluid between the channel and the interior passageway.

Claims

1. An implant for implantation into tissue of a body, the implant comprising:

an elongated conduit having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior passageway for conducting fluid,

a continuous loop having an interior circumference and an exterior circumference, the loop operably connected to the proximal end of the elongated conduit, the loop configured to be a nidus for growth of fibrous permeable tissue when implanted, said fibrous permeable tissue forming a conduit having an interior circumference and an exterior circumference with a fluid conducting channel formed therein for receiving fluid from said elongated conduit; and

a bridge affixed within the loop.

2. The implant of claim 1, further comprising multiple bridges affixed within the loop.

3. An implant for implantation into tissue of a body, the implant comprising:

an elongated conduit having an interior passageway for conducting fluid,

an exterior rim forming a continuous loop having an interior circumference and an exterior circumference, the loop configured to be a nidus for growth of fibrous permeable tissue when implanted, said fibrous permeable tissue forming a conduit having an interior circumference and an exterior circumference with a fluid conducting channel formed therein, the channel interconnected with the interior passageway of the elongated conduit for delivery of fluid from the interior passageway to the conduit; and

a bridge affixed within the exterior rim.

4. The implant of claim 3, comprising multiple bridges affixed within the rim.