A GLAUCOMA VALVE, A CASING FOR CONTAINING A GLAUCOMA VALVE, AND A GLAUCOMA DRAINAGE DEVICE COMPRISING THE VALVE AND/OR THE CASING

摘要

Various embodiments of the invention relate to a glaucoma valve, a casing for containing a glaucoma valve and a glaucoma drainage device comprising the glaucoma valve and/or the casing. The valve includes a flow channel having an inlet and an outlet and a valve member connected to the outlet of the flow channel. The valve member may be formed from a degradable polymer or a combination of degradable polymer and non-degradable polymer. Various embodiments of the invention relate to a glaucoma valve, the valve having a first flow channel. The interior of the first flow channel may be coated with a degradable polymer, such that in use, the polymer degrades to allow a greater flow of fluid through the flow channel. In some embodiments, the valve includes a second flow channel, which may be arranged in parallel to the first flow channel. The first flow channel may be completely sealed with the polymer such that in use, the polymer degrades to allow fluid to flow through the first flow channel. Various embodiments relate to a casing for containing a glaucoma valve. The casing may be formed from a degradable polymer, such as a biodegradable polymer.