Glaucoma Drainage Devices Including Vario-Stable Valves and Associated Systems and Methods

• US 20130150776A1
• Filed: 12/12/2011
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research, LLC (Alcon Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sebastian Bohm
• Inventors: Bhm, Sebastian, Field, Leslie A., Rickard, Matthew J.A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,603,024 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/16 for measuring intraocular pressure, e.g. tonometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002

Abstract

Glaucoma drainage devices including vario-stable valves and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A glaucoma drainage device includes a drainage lumen and a valve system coupled to the drainage lumen to control the flow of fluid through the drainage lumen. The valve system includes an adjustable valve with a diaphragm that is in communication with the drainage lumen and is movable to occupy varying amounts of the drainage lumen. In some embodiments, the valve system is maintained in a desired position without the use of power such that power is only needed when changing a position of the adjustable valve.

Claims

1. A valve system for use within an ophthalmic device, the valve system comprising:

an adjustable valve having;

a housing defining a cavity; and

a movable diaphragm bounding at least one side of the cavity;

a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the cavity of the adjustable valve;

a first check valve positioned between the fluid reservoir and the cavity of the adjustable valve along a first fluid passageway, the first check valve preventing fluid flow from the fluid reservoir to the cavity of the adjustable valve; and

a second check valve positioned between the fluid reservoir and the cavity of the adjustable valve along a second fluid passageway, the second check valve preventing fluid flow from the cavity of the adjustable valve to the fluid reservoir.

2. The valve system of claim 1, further comprising an actuator for controlling a flow of fluid between the fluid reservoir and the cavity of the adjustable valve.

3. The valve system of claim 2, wherein the actuator comprises a voltage source and a pair of electrodes.

4. The valve system of claim 3, wherein the actuator comprises an actuator fluid and a bubble-generating system configured to generate bubbles by converting at least a portion of the actuator fluid to a gas.

5. The valve system of claim 4, wherein the pair of electrodes are positioned within the fluid reservoir.

6. The valve system of claim 4, wherein one of the electrodes is positioned within the fluid reservoir and the other electrode is positioned outside of the fluid reservoir.

7. The valve system of claim 6, wherein the other electrode is positioned within the cavity of the adjustable valve.

8. The valve system of claim 3, wherein the fluid reservoir is formed of a material that defines a constant volume cavity during operation.

9. The valve system of claim 3, wherein the fluid reservoir is formed of a flexible material that defines a variable volume cavity during operation.

10. The valve system of claim 9, further comprising:

an electro-kinetic membrane positioned between the fluid reservoir and the cavity of the adjustable valve.

11. The valve system of claim 10, wherein an electro-kinetic fluid is received within the fluid reservoir and the cavity of the adjustable valve.

12. The valve system of claim 2, further comprising:

a first pressure sensor configured for positioning in fluid communication with an anterior chamber of an eye; and

a second pressure sensor configured for positioning in fluid communication with a drainage location;

wherein readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are utilized to control the actuator.

13. The valve system of claim 12, further comprising:

a processor in communication with the first and second pressure sensors and the actuator.

14. The valve system of claim 2, further comprising:

a first pressure sensor configured for positioning in fluid communication with an anterior chamber of an eye; and

a second pressure sensor configured for positioning remote from the first pressure sensor such that the second pressure sensor measures or approximates atmospheric pressure;

wherein readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are utilized to control the actuator.

15. The valve system of claim 14, further comprising:

a processor in communication with the first and second pressure sensors and the actuator.

16. The valve system of claim 14, wherein the second pressure sensor is sized and shaped for positioning in a subconjunctival space of the eye.

17. The valve system of claim 2, further comprising:

a first pressure sensor configured for positioning in fluid communication with a drainage location; and

a second pressure sensor configured for positioning remote from the first pressure sensor such that the second pressure sensor measures or approximates atmospheric pressure;

wherein readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are utilized to control the actuator.

18. The valve system of claim 17, further comprising:

a processor in communication with the first and remote pressure sensors and the actuator.

19. The valve system of claim 17, wherein the second pressure sensor is sized and shaped for positioning in a subconjunctival space of the eye.

20. The valve system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable valve is arranged as a boss valve.

21. The valve system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second check valves is a converging pathway.

22. The valve system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second check valves is a diverging pathway.

23. The valve system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first adjustable component positioned adjacent the first fluid passageway such that a diaphragm of the first adjustable component is movable between a first position that occupies a first amount of the first fluid passageway and a second position that occupies a second amount of the first fluid passageway, the second amount being greater than the first amount.

24. The valve system of claim 23, wherein the first adjustable component is configured to control fluid flow from the cavity of the adjustable valve to the fluid reservoir.

25. The valve system of claim 24, wherein the first adjustable component is a bubble chamber.

26. The valve system of claim 24, wherein the first check valve is positioned between the first adjustable component and the fluid reservoir.

27. The valve system of claim 24, wherein the first check valve is positioned between the first adjustable component and the cavity of the adjustable valve.

28. The valve system of claim 24, wherein the first check valve is positioned between the first adjustable component and fluid reservoir and a third check valve is positioned between the first adjustable component and the adjustable valve, the third check valve also preventing flow from the fluid reservoir to the adjustable valve.

29. The valve system of claim 24, wherein the adjustable valve is a boss valve.

30. The valve system of claim 23, further comprising:

a second adjustable component positioned adjacent the second fluid passageway such that a diaphragm of the second adjustable component is movable between a first position that occupies a first amount of the second fluid passageway and a second position that occupies a second amount of the second fluid passageway, the second amount being greater than the first amount.

31. The valve system of claim 30, wherein the second adjustable component is configured to control fluid flow from the fluid reservoir to the cavity of the adjustable valve.

32. The valve system of claim 31, wherein the first adjustable component is a bubble chamber.

33. The valve system of claim 32, wherein the second adjustable component is a bubble chamber.

34. The valve system of claim 31, wherein the second check valve is positioned between the second adjustable component and the cavity of the adjustable valve.

35. The valve system of claim 31, wherein the second check valve is positioned between the second adjustable component and the fluid reservoir.

36. The valve system of claim 31, wherein the second check valve is positioned between the second adjustable component and fluid reservoir and a third check valve is positioned between the second adjustable component and the adjustable valve, the third check valve also preventing flow from the adjustable valve to the fluid reservoir.

37. The valve system of claim 30, wherein the adjustable valve is a boss valve.

38. The valve system of claim 1, wherein the valve system is configured to maintain the diaphragm in a desired position after actuation of an actuator configured to move the diaphragm has ceased.

39. The valve system of claim 1, wherein the valve system is configured to pump aqueous humor from an anterior chamber of an eye.

40. The valve system of claim 39, wherein the valve system is configured to be activated when in the vicinity of an external power source and deactivated when not in the vicinity of an external power source.