Reduction of Gas Escape in Membrane Actuators

A membrane actuator device for implantation in an eye of a patient to treat an ocular condition, comprising:

• a housing including an entrance port and an exit port connected by a fluid flow passageway;
• a gas generation chamber within the housing, the gas generation chamber comprising a first opening and a gas generating element;
• a membrane actuation chamber having a second opening and being defined at least in part by a flexible membrane configured to deflect into and affect fluid flow through the fluid flow passageway;
• a passageway extending between and connecting the first opening of the gas generation chamber and the second opening of the membrane actuation chamber in a manner that a pressure change in the gas generation chamber results in a corresponding pressure change in the membrane actuation chamber;
• and
• a barrier configured to limit the introduction of gas from the gas generation chamber into the membrane actuation chamber.

A method of regulating drainage from an anterior chamber of an eye with a membrane valve, comprising:

• directing fluid through a fluid flow passageway formed within a housing, the fluid flow passageway comprising a portion formed of a flexible membrane, the membrane separating the fluid flow passageway from a membrane actuation chamber;
• modifying pressure in a gas generation chamber connected to the membrane actuation chamber in a manner that a pressure change in the gas generation chamber results in a pressure change in the membrane actuation chamber;
• and
• limiting the passage of gas from the gas generation chamber to the membrane actuation chamber with a barrier shaped and configured to at least partially block gas from entering the membrane actuation chamber.