Device and method for controlling intraocular fluid pressure

Claim 1

An implantable soft silicone rubber device for draining a fluid out of an eye, consisting of; a single oval plate having a bottom and a continuous sidewall surrounding said bottom said plate being of a size and shape to nest on the eye surface between adjacent rectus muscles of said eye; a tube having a first end piercing said sidewall and a second end for insertion into the anterior chamber of said eye to drain a fluid therefrom; a check valve disposed in said tube for controlling the pressure in said eye during drainage; and a flange hingedly attached to said plate for securing said plate to the surface of said eye, whereby the secured plate can move on the hinge to lift off underlying eye tissues.

Claim 8

A method of treating glaucoma which comprises; providing a device which comprises; A. a single oval plate having (i) a concave lower surface for mating with and resting upon the curved surface of said eye; (ii) a convex upper surface for receiving the drained aqueous humor; (iii) a peripheral edge defining the outer boundary of the oval plate; (iv) a continuous sidewall on the peripheral edge, enclosing the upper surface; and (v) an aperture in the sidewall for receiving one end of a drainage tube described below; B. an elongate drainage tube having (i) a first end attached to the plate, received through said aperture and opening on the convex upper surface; (ii) a second open end free for surgical implantation into the anterior chamber of said eye; and (iii) an open lumen communicating between the first and second ends; C. means disposed in the drainage tube; for controlling the flow of aqueous humor through the tube lumen; and D. flange means hingedly attached to a minor portion of the plate peripheral edge, for attaching said plate to the eye, the plate is hingedly free to lift off to a first position and return to a second position resting on the underlying eye surface tissue; said device being fabricated from a surgical grade of a synthetic polymeric resin; installing said device on the eye with said oval plate movably disposed between adjacent rectus muscles of the eye and said distal end disposed in the anterior chamber of the eye; and draining aqueous humor from said chamber, through the tube and onto the convex surface of the plate.

Claim 9

A method of treating glaucoma which comprises; providing a device which comprises; A. a single oval plate having (i) a concave lower surface for mating with and resting upon the curved surface of said eye; (ii) a convex upper surface for receiving the drained aqueous humor; (iii) a peripheral edge defining the outer boundary of the oval plate; (iv) a continuous sidewall on the peripheral edge, enclosing the upper surface; and (v) an aperture in the sidewall for receiving one end of a drainage tube described below; B. an elongate drainage tube having (i) a first end attached to the plate, received through said aperture and opening on the convex upper surface; (ii) a second open end free for surgical implantation into the anterior chamber of said eye; and (iii) an open lumen communicating between the first and second ends; C. means disposed in the drainage tube; for controlling the flow of aqueous humor through the tube lumen; and D. flange means hingedly attached to a minor portion of the plate peripheral edge, for attaching said plate to the eye, the plate is hingedly free to lift off to a first position and return to a second position resting on the underlying eye surface tissue; said device being fabricated from a surgical grade of a synthetic polymeric resin; installing said device on the eye with said oval plate movably disposed between adjacent rectus muscles of the eye and said distal end disposed in the anterior chamber of the eye; and draining aqueous humor from said chamber, through the tube and onto the convex surface of the plate.