Method for auto-regulation of intraocular pressure
AssigneeUniversity of South Florida
InventorChristopher Lawrence Passaglia
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for controlling intraocular eye pressure via fluid exchange in the body is presented. The method may comprise providing a system to sense and regulate pressure, then implanting the system into the eye. The system may comprise four main components: a cannula, a sensor, a controller and a pump. The method works to engage in a fluid exchange which slowly increases/decreases intraocular pressure until a desired level is reached. Once the desired level is reached, the intraocular pressure is held steady and any external pressure perturbations are removed.
Claims5
A method for regulating intraocular eye pressure, comprising:
- providing a bidirectional pump comprising a motor, a piston coupled to the motor, and a reservoir containing a fluid;
- providing a pressure sensor operative to sense intraocular eye fluid pressure;
- providing a cannula comprising a first end coupled to the reservoir such that movement of the piston causes the fluid to flow through the cannula, and a second end configured for insertion into the eye such that fluid is either withdrawn or injected into the eye depending on an operating direction of the pump;
- providing a controller operatively coupled to the pump and pressure sensor;
- implanting the pump, pressure sensor, and cannula into the eye;
- inserting at least a portion of the cannula into an anterior chamber of the eye;
- sensing fluid pressure within the anterior chamber and sending a signal to the controller;
- receiving the signal at the controller and comparing the signal to a set point;
- and
- causing the pump to operate in a first direction when the signal is below the set point and causing the pump to operate in a second direction when the signal is above the set point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.