US6168575B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling intraocular pressure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-01-29
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Granted: 2001-01-02
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Expires: 2018-01-29
Abstract
Abstract The present invention comprises a miniature pump which can be implanted in the eye for controllably removing excess fluid from the eye to treat glaucoma. The pump, in accordance with the inventive method, may be placed beneath the conjunctiva and/or extraocular muscles. In order to ensure that the right amount of fluid is removed from the eye the pump has a variable pumping rate, which results in a variable rate of removal of fluid from the eye. The pumping rate can be manually adjusted or automatically controlled in response to sensed ocular pressure. In the automatic mode, serious complications such as hypotony are avoided by reducing fluid flow when ocular pressure is low.
Inventors
- 👤 David Pyam Soltanpour
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00781; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/14; A61M5/142; A61M5/145; A61M5/14586; A61M5/14593; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/73; A61M1/74; A61M1/75; A61M1/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of controlling glaucoma by implanting a miniature pumping device for draining aqueous humor out of the anterior chamber of the eye, wherein the device comprises a pumping means having a main body portion with an interiorly disposed flowpath, a control means fluidly isolated from the flowpath, an intake conduit connected within the main body portion at a connected end and fluidly coupled to said flowpath, said intake conduit having an intake end opposite said connected end, said intake end of the intake conduit positioned within the anterior chamber, and a discharge conduit connected within said main body portion at a connected end and fluidly coupled to said flowpath, said discharge conduit having an output end opposite said connected end, said output end of the discharge conduit positioned in the subconjunctival space, said method comprising the steps of: implanting a miniature pump in or proximate the anterior chamber of the eye, in the subconjunctival space of the eye and securing it to the sclera of the eye, sensing the occular pressure of the eye, varying the pumping rate of said pumping means from 0 to about 10 microliters per minute in response to the sensed occular pressure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of controlling glaucoma by implanting a miniature pumping device for draining aqueous humor out of the anterior chamber of the eye, wherein the device comprises a pumping means having a main body portion with an interiorly disposed flowpath, a control means fluidly isolated from the flowpath, an intake conduit connected within the main body portion at a connected end and fluidly coupled to said flowpath, said intake conduit having an intake end opposite said connected end, said intake end of the intake conduit positioned within the anterior chamber, and a discharge conduit connected within said main body portion at a connected end and fluidly coupled to said flowpath, said discharge conduit having an output end opposite said connected end, said output end of the discharge conduit positioned in the subconjunctival space, said method comprising the steps of: implanting a miniature pump in or proximate the anterior chamber of the eye, in the subconjunctival space of the eye and securing it to the sclera of the eye, sensing the occular pressure of the eye, varying the pumping rate of said pumping means from 0 to about 10 microliters per minute in response to the sensed occular pressure.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
180 words
A device to be surgically implanted in the eye for treating glaucoma by draining aqueous humor out of the anterior chamber of the eye comprising: a miniature pump assembly for pumping said aqueous humor out of the anterior chamber, said pump assembly including pumping means having a main body portion with an interiorly disposed flowpath and including control means for controlling pumping rate, said control means fluidly isolated from said flowpath, an intake conduit connected within said main body portion at a connected end and fluidly coupled to said flowpath, said intake conduit having an intake end opposite said connected end, said intake end of the intake conduit positioned within the anterior chamber and a discharge conduit connected within said main body portion at a connected end and fluidly coupled to said flowpath, said discharge conduit having an output end opposite said connected end, said output end of the discharge conduit positioned in the subconjunctival space for draining the aqueous humor; said control means capable of controlling the pumping rate to prevent excessive drainage of fluid from said anterior chamber.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
180 words
A device to be surgically implanted in the eye for treating glaucoma by draining aqueous humor out of the anterior chamber of the eye comprising: a miniature pump assembly for pumping said aqueous humor out of the anterior chamber, said pump assembly including pumping means having a main body portion with an interiorly disposed flowpath and including control means for controlling pumping rate, said control means fluidly isolated from said flowpath, an intake conduit connected within said main body portion at a connected end and fluidly coupled to said flowpath, said intake conduit having an intake end opposite said connected end, said intake end of the intake conduit positioned within the anterior chamber and a discharge conduit connected within said main body portion at a connected end and fluidly coupled to said flowpath, said discharge conduit having an output end opposite said connected end, said output end of the discharge conduit positioned in the subconjunctival space for draining the aqueous humor; said control means capable of controlling the pumping rate to prevent excessive drainage of fluid from said anterior chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said discharge conduit has a first end for connection to said pump and an opposing end positioned to drain the aqueous into the subconjunctival space, said opposing end having a fan shaped tip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said control means includes a pressure sensing means operatively connected to a microprocessor, where said microprocessor is connected to a drive means for controlling the rate of fluid flow in response to the local pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said pumping means is made of biocompatible titanium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said rate of fluid flow is variable depending on the sensed intraocular pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said drive means can be manually controlled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said pressure sensing means is external to the eye.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-02 | 2004-07-03 | 2005-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-02 | 2008-07-03 | 2009-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-02 | 2012-07-03 | 2013-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |