Aqueous humor monitoring devices and methods

Abstract

A method for monitoring glucose concentration in aqueous humor can include inserting an implantable device into an eye and determining glucose concentration as a function of glucose sensed at the implantable device. The method can optionally include optically detecting glucose concentration as a function of polarimetry and/or fluorescence. A system for monitoring glucose concentration can include devices described herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for monitoring glucose concentration in aqueous humor, the system comprising:
 an implantable device configured to be implanted in an eye and defining a lumen configured to transmit aqueous humor from an interior portion of the eye to an exterior of the eye; and   a contact lens configured to be worn on the exterior of the eye and including a holding area for the aqueous humor transmitted through the lumen to the exterior of the eye, the contact lens including a sensor, the sensor responsive to the glucose concentration of the aqueous humor transmitted through the lumen to the exterior of the eye.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens further comprises an antenna for wireless transmissions of signals indicative of the glucose concentration. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the antenna comprises an energy transfer antenna. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens includes a localized ballast region that is comparatively heavier than other portions of the contact lens. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the holding area comprises a well. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an electrochemical enzymatic glucose sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens defines one or more channels. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the holding area is an area of the contact lens at which the aqueous humor transmitted through the lumen to the exterior of the eye will tend to collect. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor is adjacent to the holding area. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens includes a controller. 
     
     
         11 . A method for monitoring glucose concentration in aqueous humor, the method comprising:
 implanting an implantable device in an eye, the implantable device defining a lumen configured to transmit aqueous humor from an interior portion of the eye to an exterior of the eye; and   providing a contact lens configured to be worn on the exterior of the eye, the contact lens including a holding area for the aqueous humor transmitted through the lumen to the exterior of the eye, the contact lens including a sensor, the sensor responsive to the glucose concentration of the aqueous humor transmitted through the lumen to the exterior of the eye.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the aqueous humor transmitted through the lumen to the exterior of the eye collects at the holding area. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sensor measures the glucose concentration of the aqueous humor in the holding area. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the contact lens includes a localized ballast region that is comparatively heavier than other portions of the contact lens. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the implantable device is implanted in the eye relative to the contact lens at a location that is opposite of a location of the localized ballast region. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor comprises an electrochemical enzymatic glucose sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising delivering energy to the contact lens from an external source using an energy transfer antenna in the contact lens. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising wirelessly transmitting, from the contact lens, signals indicative of the glucose concentration measured by the sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising receiving, by a smart phone or other electronic device, the wirelessly transmitted signals indicative of the glucose concentration. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the implantable device is implanted in the eye such that the implantable device is spaced apart from the contact lens that is worn on the exterior of the eye.