Ocular filtration devices, systems and methods
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
InventorsJeffrey Olson, Ramanath Bhandari
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Abstract
A glaucoma drainage device regulator (GDDR) is disclosed which comprises a membrane and a lumen to regulate the flow of aqueous in conjunction with different ocular (e.g., glaucoma) filtering procedures. In connection with aqueous shunting, the GDDR can be placed over the tip of a shunt tube in the anterior chamber, either at the time of initial surgery or also in devices which have been previously implanted. In connection with trabeculectomy, the GDDR can comprise a flange for seating the GDDR at the sclerostomy in trabeculectomy surgery.
Claims20
A glaucoma drainage device regulator, comprising:
- a membrane coupled to an opening of a lumen,
- wherein the membrane is at an angle of about 30 to about 60 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the lumen,
- wherein the membrane is configured to be selectively perforated by a targeted energy source to form and define perforations,
- wherein the perforations defined in the membrane increase aqueous flow to lower intraocular pressure, and
- wherein the lumen of the glaucoma drainage device regulator is configured to be sealingly coupled around an end of a shunt tube.
A glaucoma drainage device regulator system, comprising:
- a membrane,
- a lumen coupled with the membrane, wherein the membrane is at an angle of about 30 to about 60 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the lumen,
- a shunt tube coupled with the lumen, and
- a reservoir coupled with the shunt tube,
- wherein the lumen is compression fit around an end of the shunt tube,
- wherein the membrane prevents aqueous flow,
- wherein the glaucoma drainage device regulator system is used in connection with aqueous shunting,
- wherein the membrane is configured to be selectively perforated by photodisruptive or ablative laser to form and define perforations, and
- wherein the perforations defined in the membrane increase aqueous flow to lower intraocular pressure.
A method for regulating intraocular pressure, comprising:
- providing a previously implanted shunt tube;
- implanting a glaucoma drainage device regulator within a pathway for aqueous flow from an anterior chamber, wherein the glaucoma drainage device regulator comprises a membrane coupled to an end of a lumen, wherein the lumen is coupled as a cap around an end of the shunt tube, wherein the membrane is at an angle of about 30 to about 60 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the lumen;
- selectively perforating the membrane using a targeted energy source to form and define perforations in the membrane to increase aqueous flow to lower an intraocular pressure within the anterior chamber, and wherein the membrane is configured to be selectively perforated by a targeted energy source;
- evaluating the intraocular pressure at a time at least months later to determine if further perforating the membrane is needed to further lower the intraocular pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.