Fluid communication device and method of use thereof

A fluid communication device configured to provide fluid flow between first and second chambers separated by tissue, the device including:

• a body configured to engage the tissue, the body including a first opening for fluidic communication with the first chamber, a second opening for fluidic communication with at least one member, and a fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the openings;
• the at least one member extending from the body and being configured to be inserted through the tissue, the at least one member including a first opening near a first end of the member for fluidic communication with the second chamber, a second opening near a second end of the member for fluidic communication with the second opening of the body, and a fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the openings;
• and
• a head extending from the first end of the member, the head being configured to be insertable through the tissue, wherein the at least one member includes at least one opening disposed along its length, the at least one opening being in fluidic communication with the fluid passage of the at least one member, and wherein the fluid passage of the at least one member extends longitudinally along an outer circumference of the at least one member.

A method of installing a fluid communication device to provide for fluid flow from an anterior chamber of an eye to Schlemm's canal through trabecular meshwork of the eye, the device including a body having first and third openings for fluidic communication with the anterior chamber, second and fourth openings for fluidic communication with first and second members respectively, a first fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the first and second openings and a second fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the third and fourth openings, the first member including a first opening near a first end of the first member for fluidic communication with the Schlemm's canal, a second opening near a second end of the first member for fluidic communication with the second opening of the body, and a fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the openings, the second member including a first opening near a first end of the second member for fluidic communication with the Schlemm's canal, a second opening near a second end of the second member for fluidic communication with the fourth opening of the body, and a fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the openings, and a head extending from the first end of one of the first or second members, the head being configured to be insertable through the trabecular meshwork, the method including:

• advancing the fluid communication device through the anterior chamber toward the trabecular meshwork;
• inserting the fluid communication device into the trabecular meshwork by piercing the trabecular meshwork with the head;
• and
• advancing the fluid communication device through the trabecular meshwork toward the Schlemm's canal until the body abuts a wall of the trabecular meshwork in the anterior chamber and the first and second members are inserted through the trabecular meshwork, wherein
• the second member is greater in length than the first member, and the second member is configured to support a wall of the Schlemm's canal to maintain the Schlemm's canal in an open position relative to the first member thereby allowing for unimpeded flow of fluid from the anterior chamber to the Schlemm's canal via the first member.

A fluid communication device configured to provide fluid flow between first and second chambers separated by tissue, the device including:

• a body configured to engage the tissue, the body including a first opening for fluidic communication with the first chamber, a second opening for fluidic communication with at least one member, and a fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the openings;
• the at least one member extending from the body and being configured to be inserted through the tissue;
• the at least one member including a first opening near a first end of at least one member for fluidic communication with the second chamber, a second opening near a second end of the at least one member for fluidic communication with the second opening of the body, and a fluid passage providing for fluidic communication between the openings;
• and
• a head extending from the first end of the at least one member, the head being configured to be inserted through the tissue;
• wherein the first end of the at least one member comprises an expandable material that is configured to expand after the at least one member has been inserted through the tissue and into the second chamber.