# US 8,771,217 B2 · Shunt device and method for treating ocular disorders > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,217 B2 - Document ID: US8771217B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/966,889 - Filed: 2010-12-13 - Published: 2011-08-11 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 1999-04-26 - Assignees: Glaukos Corporation - Applicants: Mary G Lynch; Reay H Brown - Inventors: Mary G Lynch; Reay H Brown - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771217B2 ## CPC - A61F 9/00781: {Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment (drainage implants in general A61M27/002)} - A61M 25/0068: {Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure} - A61M 25/007: {Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked} - A61F 9/0017: {implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts} - A61F 2230/0008: elliptical or oval - A61F 2230/0052: T-shaped - A61F 2250/0067: Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body - A61M 25/0074: {Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable} - A61M 2210/0612: Eyes - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Shunt devices and a method for continuously decompressing elevated intraocular pressure in eyes affected by glaucoma by diverting excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal where post-operative patency can be maintained with an indwelling shunt device which surgically connects the canal with the anterior chamber. The shunt devices provide uni- or bi-directional flow of aqueous humor into Schlemm's canal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An implant of biocompatible material for treating glaucoma, comprising: a body having a flow passage which conducts fluid from an anterior chamber of an eye to Schlemm's canal of the eye; said body being configured so as to have an axis extending away from the canal when implanted; said body having at least first and second surface portions within Schlemm's canal that extend transversely to said axis on opposite sides of the axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the surface portions are disposed on the implant so as to contact a trabecular meshwork of the eye when implanted. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the surface portions are disposed on the implant so as to contact scleral tissue. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the axis further comprises a terminal aspect angulated to face away from the iris. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a valve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the implant generally has a T shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the implant is comprised of a solid material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The implant of claim 7, wherein the solid material is porous. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the implant comprises a mesh material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the implant is fenestrated. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the body is configured so that the axis extends substantially perpendicular to the canal when implanted. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the body defines at least one fluid directing channel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The implant of claim 12, wherein the channel includes an opening disposed adjacent a surface of the canal when implanted. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The implant of claim 13, wherein the opening is disposed adjacent scleral tissue when implanted. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The implant of claim 12, wherein the channel has a maximum width in the range from about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the implant is comprised of a flexible material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body is curved. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of outlets. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The implant of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of open areas. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The implant of claim 12, wherein the length of the fluid directing channel is about 1 mm to about 3 mm.