REDUCTION OF INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE IN THE EYE USING A TUBULAR CLIP

摘要

Drainage of aqueous from the anterior chamber of the eye can be facilitated by a malleable hollow clip or staple that can be formed to attach to ophthalmic tissue and provide intra-luminal flow of aqueous through the clip. In addition, the clip can be adjusted to modulate the outflow rate of aqueous, both during the initial surgical procedure as well as on a post-procedure basis. Furthermore, an instrument is described in which the forceps of the clip delivery device reside inside the lumen of hollow clip during deployment and manipulation. Features of an instrument are designed to secure the clip to the delivery forceps and prevent tissue blockage of the clip lumens. The clips may be color-matched to the underlying tissue for the purpose of camouflage and may carry pharmaceuticals.