US 12,329,682 B2
Adjustable flow glaucoma shunts and methods for making and using same
Claudio Argento, Felton, CA (US); Colin Mixter, Campbell, CA (US); and Andrew Backus, Santa Cruz, CA (US)
Assigned to Shifamed Holdings, LLC, Campbell, CA (US)
Appl. No. 17/422,613
Filed by Shifamed Holdings, LLC, Campbell, CA (US)
PCT Filed Jan. 17, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/014186
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 13, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/150663, PCT Pub. Date Jul. 23, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/794,430, filed on Jan. 18, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0087865 A1, Mar. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. A61F 9/007 (2006.01); A61F 9/00 (2006.01); F16K 99/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 9/00781 (2013.01) [A61F 9/0017 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3341 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0612 (2013.01); F16K 2099/0088 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A variable flow shunt for treatment of glaucoma in a human patient, the variable flow shunt comprising:
an elongated outflow tube having (a) a proximal inflow portion configured for placement within an anterior chamber in a region outside of an optical field of view of an eye of the patient, and (b) a distal outflow portion at a different location of the eye; and
a flow control mechanism positioned along the outflow tube between the inflow portion and the outflow portion, wherein the flow control mechanism comprises two actuation elements in contact with and partially overlapping each other, wherein the two actuation elements are selectively actuatable to pivotably move the flow control mechanism between an open position that allows fluid to flow through the outflow tube and at least one resistance position that reduces fluid flow through the outflow tube, and wherein the actuation elements include—
a first actuation element selectively actuatable to move the flow control mechanism from the open position to the at least one resistance position, and
a second actuation element selectively actuatable to move the flow control mechanism from the resistance position back toward the open position, and
wherein, during operation, the flow control mechanism is pivotably movable between the open position and the at least one resistance position in response to non-invasive laser energy.