Adjustable intraocular flow regulation
AssigneeAqueSys, Inc.
InventorsChristopher HORVATH, Laszlo O. ROMODA, Brian HAMSTROM, Ronald D. BACHE, Guenther GRABNER, Herbert A. REITSAMER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and devices for adjusting or configuring the flow rate of an intraocular shunt are provided whereby hypotony can be avoided by increasing the flow rate through the device. In some embodiments, the device is a shunt that can have a first flow that can be modified to a second flow by modifying the shunt, such as by cutting the shunt. Additionally, one or more dissolvable portions can be present to provide an initial flow restriction and subsequent increase in flow over time.
Claims20
A method of adjusting the flow rate of an intraocular shunt implanted in an eye, the method comprising:
- determining a position of the shunt in the eye extending between an anterior chamber of the eye and a location of lower pressure of the eye;
- and
- cutting a first portion of the shunt, thereby increasing flow through the shunt.
A method of adjusting the flow rate of an intraocular shunt implanted in an eye, the method comprising:
- determining a position of the shunt in the eye extending between an anterior chamber of the eye and a location of lower pressure of the eye, the shunt having a partially restrictive section and a main section, the partially restrictive section being dimensioned to have a first inner cross-sectional dimension, the main section being dimensioned to have a second, larger inner cross-sectional dimension;
- and
- separating at least a portion of the partially restrictive section from the main section such that the flow rate through the shunt increases.
A method of deploying into an eye an intraocular shunt having a variable flow rate, the method comprising:
- inserting into the eye a hollow shaft configured to hold the shunt;
- deploying the shunt from the hollow shaft such that the shunt extends from an anterior chamber of the eye to a location of lower pressure of the eye, the shunt having a restrictive dissolvable section and a main section, the dissolvable section having a lumen to conduct fluid therethrough, the shunt having a first nonzero flow rate through the dissolvable section;
- and
- withdrawing the hollow shaft from the eye.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.