Adjustable intraocular implant

Abstract

Methods and devices for adjusting or configuring the flow rate of an intraocular shunt are provided whereby hypotony can be avoided by increasing the flow rate through the device. In some embodiments, the device is a shunt that can have a first flow that can be modified to a second flow by modifying the shunt, such as by cutting the shunt. Additionally, one or more dissolvable portions can be present to provide an initial flow restriction and subsequent increase in flow over time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intraocular implant comprising a lumen, a first, permanent flow restrictor, a second flow restrictor, and a pharmaceutical or biological agent, the first and second flow restrictors being disposed within the lumen, the first flow restrictor positioned adjacent to an inlet of the implant, and the second flow restrictor positioned adjacent to an outlet of the implant, the implant being configured to conduct fluid at a first nonzero flow rate, modifiable to a second flow rate, when the implant is in an eye, by removing at least a portion of the first flow restrictor or the second flow restrictor, the implant configured to extend from the anterior chamber to a region of lower pressure and deliver the pharmaceutical or biological agent to the eye. 
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the first flow restrictor comprises a cross-linked gelatin. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the second flow restrictor is dissolvable. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the second flow restrictor has a dissolution rate that is different than a dissolution rate of the implant. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flow restrictors each have lumens that define a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of the implant lumen. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein any of the first and second flow restrictors comprise a portion of the implant lumen having a cross-sectional area that tapers along an axial length of the eye implant. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical or biological agent comprises a coating on an exterior surface of the implant. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical or biological agent comprises a coating on an interior surface of the implant. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the implant is impregnated with the pharmaceutical or biological agent. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical or biological agent comprises a time-release pharmaceutical or biological agent. 
     
     
         11 . An intraocular implant comprising a lumen, a first, permanent flow restrictor, a second flow restrictor, and a pharmaceutical or biological agent, the first and second flow restrictors being disposed within the lumen between an inlet and an outlet of the implant, the implant being configured to conduct fluid at a first nonzero flow rate, modifiable to a second flow rate, when the implant is in an eye, by removing at least a portion of the first flow restrictor or the second flow restrictor, the implant configured to extend from the anterior chamber to a region of lower pressure and deliver the pharmaceutical or biological agent to the eye. 
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second flow restrictors are spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the implant lumen, between the first and second flow restrictors, comprises a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of the first and second flow restrictors. 
     
     
         14 . The implant of  claim 11 , wherein any of the first and second flow restrictors comprise an axial length that is greater than the other of the first and second flow restrictors. 
     
     
         15 . The implant of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second flow restrictors are disposed adjacent to the outlet of the implant. 
     
     
         16 . The implant of  claim 11 , further comprising a third flow restrictor spaced apart from the first and second flow restrictors. 
     
     
         17 . The implant of  claim 11 , wherein the pharmaceutical or biological agent comprises a coating on an exterior surface of the implant. 
     
     
         18 . The implant of  claim 11 , wherein the pharmaceutical or biological agent comprises a coating on an interior surface of the implant. 
     
     
         19 . The implant of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the implant is impregnated with the pharmaceutical or biological agent. 
     
     
         20 . The implant of  claim 11 , wherein the pharmaceutical or biological agent comprises a time-release pharmaceutical or biological agent.