Glaucoma treatment devices and methods

Abstract

Devices can be implanted in an eye to treat glaucoma. The devices described herein include a body defining a lumen and having first and second ends and external and lumenal surfaces. The body has a length sufficient to provide fluid communication between the anterior chamber and tear film of the eye through the lumen when the device is implanted in the sclera. By the strategic selection of particular materials of construction, and/or by controlling the configuration and size of the lumen, in some embodiments, the device is a filterless construct. In some embodiments, a filter is included. The glaucoma treatment devices as provided herein are designed to prevent bacterial ingress and to provide the required level of outflow resistance to achieve a desired intraocular pressure. Methods of treating glaucoma wherein the device is implanted in the sclera of an afflicted eye are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A two-piece device for treating glaucoma in an eye, the device comprising:
 a collar defining a first lumen therethrough; and   a cartridge, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge is releasably engageable within the first lumen, the cartridge defining a second lumen therethrough and having a length sufficient to provide fluid communication between an anterior chamber and a tear film of the eye through the second lumen when the device is implanted in a sclera of the eye.   
     
     
         2 . The two-piece device of  claim 1 , wherein the collar has a length sufficient to extend from an outer surface of the eye to the anterior chamber while the collar is implanted in the sclera of the eye. 
     
     
         3 . The two-piece device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the cartridge is releasably engageable within the first lumen using a dimensional interference fit therebetween. 
     
     
         4 . The two-piece device of  claim 1 , wherein the collar includes one or more barbs configured to engage the sclera while the collar is implanted in the sclera of the eye.