Abstract: A pressure-driven valve is disclosed. The valve includes a housing, a fluid flow channel, and a deflectable portion. The housing comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid flow channel extends between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The deflectable portion is disposed within the housing, and defines a portion of the fluid flow channel. The deflectable portion is configured to deflect to increase and decrease a size of the fluid flow channel to regulate fluid flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The deflectable portion is disposed and arranged to deflect as a result of pressure differentials between a reference pressure, a fluid flow channel pressure, and an outlet pressure representative of fluid pressure at the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A pressure-driven valve is disclosed. The valve includes a housing, a fluid flow channel, and a deflectable portion. The housing comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid flow channel extends between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The deflectable portion is disposed within the housing, and defines a portion of the fluid flow channel. The deflectable portion is configured to deflect to increase and decrease a size of the fluid flow channel to regulate fluid flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The deflectable portion is disposed and arranged to deflect as a result of pressure differentials between a reference pressure, a fluid flow channel pressure, and an outlet pressure representative of fluid pressure at the fluid outlet.

Abstract: An IOP monitoring device for implantation in an eye of a patient may include a first tube having a first opening, the first tube being configured to extend into an anterior chamber of the eye and extend to a first sensor outside the anterior chamber. The first sensor may be in fluid communication with the first opening of the first tube. The device also may include a second tube having an opening spaced from a second sensor. The opening of the second tube may be configured to be exposed to a pressure representative of atmospheric pressure, with the second sensor being in fluid communication with the second opening. In one aspect, a patch is attachable to a globe of the eye and configured to lie over the opening of the second tube and secure the opening in place in the eye.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a valve for a fluid system is described herein. The method comprises determining a target cracking pressure for the valve of the fluid system, providing an inner wall having a first height and an outer wall having a second height, the first height varying from the second height by a height differential, and attaching a flexible membrane to the outer wall at the second height, wherein a central zone of the flexible membrane is in contact with the inner wall at the first height and the inner wall biases the flexible membrane from a neutral condition. The height differential is selected to provide resistance to displacement from the inner wall until pressure acting on the membrane exceeds the target cracking pressure.

Abstract: A glaucoma drainage device has a main drainage tube with a first end an anterior chamber of an eye and a second end in a drainage location. A bypass drainage tube is fluidly coupled to and in parallel with the main drainage tube. A pump is in communication with the bypass drainage tube. The pump comprises a first driver and a first flexible membrane enclosing a first chamber. A first check valve is located upstream from the pump, and a second check valve is located downstream from the pump. An active valve is located upstream from the first check valve. The active valve comprises a second driver and a second flexible membrane enclosing a second chamber. A third check valve is located between the active valve and the second end of the main drainage tube. A volume of the first chamber is changed to pump fluid from the anterior chamber.

Abstract: A glaucoma drainage device has an active valve configured to be located between an anterior chamber of an eye and a drainage location, a power source coupled to the active valve, and a controller coupled to the power source. A first pressure sensor is located in fluid communication with the anterior chamber, a second pressure sensor is located in the drainage location, and a third pressure sensor located remotely from the first and second pressure sensors. The controller reads the first, second, and third pressure sensors once during a period of time and adjusts the active valve to control intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Glaucoma drainage devices including vario-stable valves and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A glaucoma drainage device includes a drainage lumen and a valve system coupled to the drainage lumen to control the flow of fluid through the drainage lumen. The valve system includes an adjustable valve with a diaphragm that is in communication with the drainage lumen and is movable to occupy varying amounts of the drainage lumen. In some embodiments, the valve system is maintained in a desired position without the use of power such that power is only needed when changing a position of the adjustable valve.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a valve for a fluid system is described herein. The method comprises determining a target cracking pressure for the valve of the fluid system, providing an inner wall having a first height and an outer wall having a second height, the first height varying from the second height by a height differential, and attaching a flexible membrane to the outer wall at the second height, wherein a central zone of the flexible membrane is in contact with the inner wall at the first height and the inner wall biases the flexible membrane from a neutral condition. The height differential is selected to provide resistance to displacement from the inner wall until pressure acting on the membrane exceeds the target cracking pressure.

Abstract: A glaucoma drainage device has a housing with an open outlet end. A tube is in fluid communication with the housing. An actuator is located in the housing. An actuation arm is located at least partially in the housing and is coupled to the actuator. A tapered arm is rigidly coupled to the actuation arm. A needle head is located opposite the tapered arm. A tapered end of the tapered arm is located at least partially in the tube. When the tapered arm is moved, it can clear an obstruction from the tube. When the needle head is moved, it can disperse aqueous or clear fibers from the drainage location.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of treating glaucoma by applying an electric field in the vicinity of the juxtacanalicular region of the trabecular meshwork sufficient to cause migration or reorientation of glycosaminoglycans located in the extracellular matrix. A device for applying the electric field includes a controller coupled to a pressure sensor, and a pair of electrodes coupled to a voltage source. The electrodes apply the electric field, and the controller controls the application of the electric field based on IOP measurements from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A glaucoma drainage device has a main drainage tube with a first end an anterior chamber of an eye and a second end in a drainage location. A bypass drainage tube is fluidly coupled to and in parallel with the main drainage tube. A pump is in communication with the bypass drainage tube. The pump comprises a first driver and a first flexible membrane enclosing a first chamber. A first check valve is located upstream from the pump, and a second check valve is located downstream from the pump. An active valve is located upstream from the first check valve. The active valve comprises a second driver and a second flexible membrane enclosing a second chamber. A third check valve is located between the active valve and the second end of the main drainage tube. A volume of the first chamber is changed to pump fluid from the anterior chamber.

Abstract: An IOP monitoring device for implantation in an eye of a patient may include a first tube having a first opening, the first tube being configured to extend into an anterior chamber of the eye and extend to a first sensor outside the anterior chamber. The first sensor may be in fluid communication with the first opening of the first tube. The device also may include a second tube having an opening spaced from a second sensor. The opening of the second tube may be configured to be exposed to a pressure representative of atmospheric pressure, with the second sensor being in fluid communication with the second opening. In one aspect, a patch is attachable to a globe of the eye and configured to lie over the opening of the second tube and secure the opening in place in the eye.

Abstract: Glaucoma drainage devices including vario-stable valves and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A glaucoma drainage device includes a drainage lumen and a valve system coupled to the drainage lumen to control the flow of fluid through the drainage lumen. The valve system includes an adjustable valve with a diaphragm that is in communication with the drainage lumen and is movable to occupy varying amounts of the drainage lumen. In some embodiments, the valve system is maintained in a desired position without the use of power such that power is only needed when changing a position of the adjustable valve.

Abstract: Glaucoma drainage devices including vario-stable valves and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A glaucoma drainage device includes a drainage lumen and a valve system coupled to the drainage lumen to control the flow of fluid through the drainage lumen. The valve system includes an adjustable valve with a diaphragm that is in communication with the drainage lumen and is movable to occupy varying amounts of the drainage lumen. In some embodiments, the valve system is maintained in a desired position without the use of power such that power is only needed when changing a position of the adjustable valve.

Abstract: A glaucoma drainage device may comprise a main drainage tube with a first end configured to be located in an anterior chamber of an eye and a second end configured to be located in a drainage location. A bypass drainage tube is fluidly coupled to and in parallel with the main drainage tube. A pump is in communication with the bypass drainage tube. The pump comprises a first driver and a first flexible membrane enclosing a first chamber. A first check valve is located upstream of the pump, and a second check valve is located downstream of the pump. An active valve is located upstream of the first check valve. The active valve comprises a second driver and a second flexible membrane enclosing a second chamber. A third check valve is located between the active valve and the second end of the main drainage tube. A volume of the first chamber is changed to pump fluid from the anterior chamber to the drainage location.

Abstract: An implantable intraocular pressure sensor system has a sealed geometric shape with an internal pressure at a first value. A strain gauge wire is embedded in a surface of the sealed geometric shape. When the surface is deflected by intraocular pressure, a measured resistance of the strain gauge wire indicates the intraocular pressure. The system also has a processor coupled to a power source and memory. The processor is configured to read the measured resistance and write values corresponding to intraocular pressure to the memory.

Abstract: An implantable intraocular pressure sensor system has a sealed geometric shape with an internal pressure at a first value. The sealed geometric shape has a first light permitting surface and a second flexible surface. A pair of photocells is located in the sealed geometric shape. A light shield is coupled to the second flexible surface. When the second flexible surface is deflected, a light measurement by the pair of photocells indicates an intraocular pressure condition.

Abstract: A device implantable into an eye of a patient for treatment of glaucoma. The device has an implantable dispenser. The dispenser includes an implantable reservoir configured to store a therapeutic agent. Additionally, the dispenser includes an implantable reservoir sensor configured to measure a pressure within the reservoir. The device also has an implantable processor coupled to the implantable reservoir sensor and configured to receive the measurement of the pressure within the reservoir and determine a dosage of therapeutic agent based on the measurement of the pressure within the reservoir. Furthermore, the implantable dispenser is configured to release the dosage of the therapeutic agent at a selectively variable rate from the implantable reservoir into the eye.

Abstract: A device implantable into an eye of a patient for treatment of glaucoma. The device has an implantable sensor configured to measure at least one characteristic of the eye. The implantable sensor is sized for implantation into the eye. The device also has an implantable processor coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the measurement of the at least one characteristic of the eye and generate a signal based on the received measurement. Additionally, the device has an implantable actuator coupled to the processor and operable to release a dosage of a therapeutic agent into the eye in response to the signal from the implantable processor.

Abstract: A fill and purge system for a drug reservoir is disclosed. The fill and purge system comprises a positive pressure source, a negative pressure source, a first valve, a second valve, and a delivery channel. The positive pressure source is fluidly connected to the first valve. The negative pressure source is fluidly connected to the second valve. The first and second valves are fluidly connected to the delivery channel. A method of filling and purging a drug reservoir is also disclosed.