Glaucoma shunt and method for draining aqueous humor
US5338291A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F9/00781
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An implantable shunt device useful in treating glaucoma includes an episcleral plate and a catheter having a first end adapted for insertion into the anterior chamber of the eye, and a second end mounted adjacent to the episcleral plate. A slit valve is provided in a wall of the catheter between the first end and the second end, and the opposing, generally planar surfaces of the episcleral plate are textured to interrupt the formation of a dense fibrous capsule and to promote vascularization around the episcleral plate. In order to restrict the flow of fluid through the catheter to the episcleral plate until a fibrous capsule forms around the episcleral plate, the catheter is temporarily occluded utilizing a biodegradable ligation tied between the slit valve and the second end of the catheter. In the immediate post-operative period, excess aqueous humor is forced to flow through the slit valve, which provides a significant pressure drop. Once the ligature is resorbed, aqueous humor is free to flow through the catheter to the episcleral plate for resorption into the vascular system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.