Intraocular physiological sensor
Intraocular physiological sensor implants include a physiological sensor, and a housing comprising a faceplate. The physiological sensor is integrated with the faceplate. The physiological sensor typically comprises an intraocular pressure sensor, such as a capacitive pressure sensor that may further include a flexible diaphragm electrode spaced apart from a counter electrode. The intraocular pressure sensor detects intraocular pressure, to identify patient conditions such as glaucoma.
1 . A method of implanting an intraocular implant, wherein the intraocular implant comprises:
a housing comprising an aperture configured to receive an anchor, the housing further comprising a faceplate,
a physiological sensor including a flexible diaphragm that forms a unitary body with the faceplate, and
an anchor comprising a penetrating head and an elongate body,
the method comprising:
inserting the anchor into the aperture of the housing and securing the anchor to the housing; and
implanting the intraocular implant into the eye by penetrating the penetrating head-into ocular tissue.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the anchor further comprises a retention head wherein a maximum diameter of the retention head is greater than a diameter of the aperture, and the retention head comprises a gap through a center of the retention head, configured to allow a diameter of the retention head to be reduced from the maximum diameter, and wherein inserting the anchor into the aperture of the housing comprises:
squeezing the retention tip to reduce the diameter of the retention head,
inserting the anchor into the aperture while the diameter of the retention head is reduced, and
translating the retention head through the aperture until the elongate body is disposed within the aperture.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the aperture comprises a through hole from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is removably coupled to the housing.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is permanently affixed to the housing.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises one or more in-flow outlets and one or more out-flow outlets.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a geometric profile that matches a geometric profile of the anchor to prevent twisting of the anchor relative to the housing.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes one or more protrusions or grooves to facilitate the flow of aqueous humor around the housing.
9 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the through hole is positioned outside a central third of the housing.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is a drug eluting anchor.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is a drug eluting anchor and wherein the anchor has one or more fluid flow passageways.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the implanting the intraocular implant occurs after the securing the anchor to the housing.
13 . A method of implanting an intraocular implant, wherein the intraocular implant comprises:
a housing comprising a physiological sensor integrated with the housing, wherein the housing comprises a faceplate and the physiological sensor comprises a flexible diaphragm that forms a unitary body with the faceplate, and
an anchor comprising a penetrating head, an elongate body, and an out-flow outlet,
the method comprising:
penetrating the anchor into a physiological aqueous humor outflow pathway; and
positioning the out-flow outlet of the anchor in the physiological aqueous humor outflow pathway.
14 . A method of implanting an intraocular implant, wherein the intraocular implant comprises:
a housing comprising a faceplate,
a physiological sensor including a flexible diaphragm that forms a unitary body with the faceplate, and
an anchor comprising a penetrating head and an elongate body,
the method comprising:
implanting the intraocular implant into the eye by penetrating the penetrating head into ocular tissue.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the faceplate and the flexible diaphragm are formed from silicon.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the intraocular implant is implanted into an iridocorneal angle of the eye.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the faceplate comprises a contoured surface.