Ophthalmic shunt and method

Abstract

An ophthalmic shunt includes a seal or septum through which multiple injections of the therapeutic agent can be made as needed, thereby avoiding repeated injury to the sclera. The therapeutic agent is temporarily carried in a tube connected to the septum. The therapeutic agent release may be rapid or sustained over a period of time.

1 . An implantable ophthalmic shunt comprising:
 a tube having an inlet aperture; and   a septum adjacent the inlet aperture, the septum forming a resilient seal against fluid flow, the septum configured to be pierced by a needle.   
     
     
         2 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 1 , wherein the septum is configured to autonomously close an aperture formed by a needle having pierced the septum and having been withdrawn from the septum. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 1 , wherein the septum is made of a silicone elastomer. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 1 , wherein the septum is made of a material that includes a polymerization initiator that is activated by application of energy to the septum. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 4 , wherein the polymerization initiator is activated by application of heat, ultraviolet radiation, an electric field, or a combination thereof to the septum. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is configured to swell or expand with introduction of a therapeutic agent into the tube. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 1 , wherein the tube has a cavity containing a composition including a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 7 , wherein the composition further includes any of an excipient, hydrophobic polymer, hydrogel, and a combination of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 7 , wherein the tube is made of a permeable material through which the therapeutic agent permeates. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 1 , wherein the tube has no outlet aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 1 , wherein the tube has an outlet aperture. 
     
     
         12 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 11 , further comprising a permeable membrane covering the outlet aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 1 , further comprising a coating over an outer surface of the tube. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 13 , wherein the coating is configured to adhere to eye tissue. 
     
     
         15 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 13 , wherein the coating includes a substance selected from the group consisting of an antibiotic, silver ions, extracellular matrix material, and a combination of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 13 , wherein the coating includes one or both of cross-linked polyethylene glycol and polylactide-co-glycolide. 
     
     
         17 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 1 , further comprising a ring disposed between a proximal end of the tube and a distal end of the tube, the ring extending circumferentially around an exterior surface of the tube and protruding radially outward from the exterior surface. 
     
     
         18 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 1 , wherein the septum protrudes radially outward from the tube. 
     
     
         19 . The implantable ophthalmic shunt of  claim 1 , further comprising a balloon attached to the tube. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 introducing a therapeutic agent through a septum attached to a tube of an ophthalmic shunt implanted through the sclera of an eye; and   allowing the therapeutic agent to exit from the tube and into the eye.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An implantable ophthalmic shunt comprising:
 a reservoir configured to carry a therapeutic agent and configured for implantation between the sclera of an eye and a Tenon's capsule surrounding the eye; and   a conduit configured to be implanted through the sclera and to transport the therapeutic agent from the reservoir and into the eye.   
     
     
         25 - 34 . (canceled)