Adjustable flow glaucoma shunts and associated systems and methods

A variable flow shunt, comprising:

• a drainage element having a first opening, a second opening, and a lumen extending between the first opening and the second opening, wherein, when implanted in a patient, the drainage element is configured to fluidly connect a first body region and a second body region;
• a flow control assembly coupled to the drainage element and configured to at least partially control the flow of fluid through at least one of the first opening or the second opening, wherein at least a portion of the flow control assembly is activatable via light and/or heat;
• and
• an outer membrane encasing at least the portion of the flow control assembly that is activatable via light and/or heat and at least one of the first opening or the second opening, wherein the outer membrane includes a plurality of apertures for draining fluid contained within the outer membrane, and wherein the outer membrane is configured to reduce a backflow pressure through the drainage element.

A system for treating a medical condition in a patient, the system comprising:

• a shunt configured to fluidly connect a first body region and a second body region of the patient, the shunt having an inflow portion positionable within the first body region and an outflow portion positionable within the second body region;
• a flow control assembly coupled to the shunt and configured to control the flow of fluid through the inflow portion of the shunt, wherein at least a portion of the flow control assembly is activatable via light and/or heat;
• and
• a bladder encasing at least the portion of the flow control assembly that is activatable via light and/or heat and the inflow portion of the shunt, wherein the bladder includes a plurality of openings that, when the system is implanted in the eye, permits fluid to flow from an environment external to the bladder in the first body region and into an interior of the bladder.