Pressure relieving device and process for implanting
First Claim
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1. A device for relieving intraocular pressure comprises a body portion .Iadd.and wall portions in the form of a hexahedron;
- at least the body portion .Iaddend.composed of a biocompatible porous material;
said device adapted to be implanted within the scleral tissue of the eye with at least one edge of the device at an opening of, with no substantial extension into, the anterior chamber and adjacent to the area where the sclera makes the transition into clear cornea of the eye;
the pores of the body portion are of such size and quantity as to permit drainage of fluid from the anterior chamber to the scleral tissue without collapse of the anterior chamber.
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Abstract
This invention involves a porous device for implantation in the scleral tissue of the eye to relieve the intraocular pressure of glaucoma and a method for surgically implanting the device.
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7 Claims
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1. A device for relieving intraocular pressure comprises a body portion .Iadd.and wall portions in the form of a hexahedron;
- at least the body portion .Iaddend.composed of a biocompatible porous material;
said device adapted to be implanted within the scleral tissue of the eye with at least one edge of the device at an opening of, with no substantial extension into, the anterior chamber and adjacent to the area where the sclera makes the transition into clear cornea of the eye;
the pores of the body portion are of such size and quantity as to permit drainage of fluid from the anterior chamber to the scleral tissue without collapse of the anterior chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- at least the body portion .Iaddend.composed of a biocompatible porous material;
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7. A device for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion constructed of a biocompatible material having flow passages therein;
- said flow passages selected from the group consisting of pores, openings, channels and spaces between fibers in a meshwork of fibers;
said device having a substantially uniform cross-section adapted to be fitted within the scleral tissue of the eye at an area adjacent an opening of, with no substantial extension into, the anterior chamber of the eye at a first position adjacent to the area of the eye where the sclera makes the transition into clear cornea of the eye; and
extending to a second position within the scleral tissue of the eye, the distance between said first and second positions defining the length of the body portion through which fluid can flow, said length being approximately six (6) millimeters;
said flow passages being of such size and quantity as to permit drainage of fluid from the anterior chamber to the scleral tissue without collapse of the anterior chamber..Iaddend..Iadd.8. A method for reducing intraocular pressure within the anterior chamber of an eye, said method comprising the following stepsa. creating a scleral flap by making an incision in the sclera of the eye substantially adjacent to the limbus of the eye; b. excising a block of scleral tissue by making a second incision into the sclera underneath the previously produced scleral flap but extending into the cornea and entering the anterior chamber at substantially the area where sclera becomes cornea to provide a pocket in the sclera and a shelf in the cornea, c. placing a device for relieving intraocular pressure, said device comprising a body portion constructed of a biocompatible material; and
having flow passages therein;
said device having a first end portion and a second end portion with said flow passages therebetween; andd. the device being placed in said pocket of the sclera with said first end portion of said device positioned in said shelf of the cornea whereby said first end portion of said body portion is in direct fluid contact with the anterior chamber of the eye without substantial extension into the anterior chamber of the eye and with the second end portion of said device positioned within the sclera of the eye to permit drainage of fluid from the anterior chamber into the scleral tissue without collapse of the anterior chamber..Iaddend.
- said flow passages selected from the group consisting of pores, openings, channels and spaces between fibers in a meshwork of fibers;
Specification