The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 19, 2013
Filed:
Jul. 23, 2012
Ellis Fan-chuin Meng, Pasadena, CA (US);
Po-jui Chen, Pasadena, CA (US);
Damien Rodger, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Yu-chong Tai, Pasadena, CA (US);
Mark Humayun, Glendale, CA (US);
Ellis Fan-chuin Meng, Pasadena, CA (US);
Po-Jui Chen, Pasadena, CA (US);
Damien Rodger, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Yu-Chong Tai, Pasadena, CA (US);
Mark Humayun, Glendale, CA (US);
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA (US);
Abstract
An implanted parylene tube shunt relieves intra-ocular pressure. The device is implanted with an open end in the anterior chamber of the eye, allowing excess fluid to be drained through the tube out of the eye. In one embodiment, only a first end of the tube implanted into the anterior chamber of the eye is open. Intra-ocular pressure (IOP) is then monitored, for example utilizing an implanted sensor. When IOP exceeds a critical valve, a practitioner intervenes, puncturing with a laser a thinned region of the tube lying outside the eye, thereby initiating drainage of fluid and relieving pressure. In accordance with alternative embodiments, the both ends of the tube are open, and the tube includes a one-way valve configured to permit drainage where IOP exceeds the critical value. The tube may include projecting barbs to anchor the tube in the eye without the need for sutures.