Separation of gas and liquid in membrane valves

摘要

A drainage device for implantation in an eye of a patient to treat an ocular condition is disclosed. The drainage device includes a housing, a multi-compartment flow control chamber, and a membrane. The housing includes an entrance port and an exit port connected by a fluid flow passageway. The membrane is disposed between the fluid flow passageway and the multi-compartment flow control chamber, which includes a first compartment and a second compartment in fluid communication with each other. The first and second compartments are structurally arranged to limit contact of gas with the membrane, which is disposed between the fluid flow passageway and first compartment. The membrane is configured to affect flow through the fluid flow passageway by deflecting in response to pressure in the flow control chamber.

主权项

1. A drainage device for implantation in an eye of a patient to treat an ocular condition, comprising:
a housing including an entrance port and an exit port connected by a fluid flow passageway; a flow control chamber within the housing including a first compartment and including a second compartment open to the first compartment; a membrane disposed between the fluid flow passageway and the first compartment, the membrane configured to affect flow through the fluid flow passageway by deflecting in response to pressure in the flow control chamber, wherein the first and second compartments are structurally arranged to limit contact of gas with the membrane; and electrodes disposed within the second compartment to generate a gas from an actuator liquid present in the flow control chamber thereby effecting a pressure change in the flow control chamber, wherein the first and second compartments are structurally arranged so that the membrane is maintained at an elevation lower than that of the gas within the flow control chamber to limit contact of the gas with the membrane.