Intraocular shunts with low-profile actuation elements and associated systems and methods
The present technology relates to adjustable shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes an adjustable shunting system that includes a drainage element having an inflow portion configured for placement within a patient. The system can also include a flow control assembly having a gating element operably coupled to the outflow portion of the drainage element. The flow control assembly can further include a first actuation element and a second actuation element coupled to the gating element. The first and second actuation elements can be configured to selectively move the gating element relative to the outflow portion to control an amount of fluid flow therethrough. The first and second actuation elements can each extend less than entirely around a perimeter of the drainage element.
1 . An implantable, adjustable shunting system for treating a patient, the system comprising:
a drainage element configured to shunt fluid between a first body region and a second body region of the patient;
an aperture in fluid communication with the drainage element; and
an actuation assembly configured to control a fluid resistance through the aperture to at least partially control a flow of fluid through the drainage element, the actuation assembly including—
a gating element,
a first planar actuation element coupled to the gating element,
wherein, when actuated, the first planar actuation element is configured to move the gating element relative to the aperture in a first direction to decrease fluid resistance through the aperture, and
a second planar actuation element coupled to the gating element,
wherein, when actuated, the second planar actuation element is configured to move the gating element relative to the aperture in a second direction to increase fluid resistance through the aperture.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first planar actuation element and the second planar actuation element extend in the same plane.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the drainage element has a central axis extending therethrough, and wherein the first planar actuation element and the second planar actuation element extend in a plane parallel or at least about parallel to the central axis of the drainage element.
4 . The system of claim 3 wherein, when actuated, the first planar actuation element and the second planar actuation element are configured to translate within the plane that is parallel or at least about parallel to the central axis of the drainage element.
5 . The system of claim 3 wherein the first planar actuation element has a first longitudinal axis and the second planar actuation element has a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are parallel or at least about parallel to the central axis of the drainage element when the adjustable shunting system is implanted in a patient.
6 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first planar actuation element and the second planar actuation element each have a serpentine shape.
7 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first planar actuation element and the second planar actuation element are composed of a shape memory material.
8 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.
9 . The system of claim 1 wherein the drainage element is a tubular element.
10 . An implantable, adjustable shunting system for treating a patient, the system comprising:
a drainage element configured to shunt fluid between a first body region and a second body region of the patient, the drainage element having a central axis extending therethrough;
an aperture in fluid communication with the drainage element; and
a flat actuation assembly configured to control a fluid resistance through the aperture to at least partially control a flow of fluid through the drainage element,
wherein the flat actuation assembly extends within a plane that is parallel or at least about parallel to the central axis of the drainage element.
11 . The system of claim 10 wherein the flat actuation assembly includes an actuation element, and wherein the actuation element has a longitudinal axis that is parallel or at least about parallel to the central axis when the adjustable shunting system is implanted in the patient.
12 . The system of claim 11 wherein, when actuated, the actuation element is configured to translate within the plane that is parallel to or at least about parallel to the central axis.
13 . The system of claim 11 wherein the actuation element is composed of a shape memory material.
14 . The system of claim 11 wherein the actuation element has a serpentine shape.
15 . The system of claim 10 wherein the drainage element is a tubular element.
16 . A method adjusting fluid flow through an adjustable shunt implanted in a patient and having an actuation element coupled to a drainage element, the method comprising:
applying energy, from a source external to the patient, to the actuation element to move the actuation element relative to the drainage element,
wherein the actuation element extends within a plane that is a parallel to a central axis of the drainage element, and
wherein moving the actuation element relative to the drainage element changes a fluid resistance through the adjustable shunt.
17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the actuation element has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to or at least about parallel to the central axis.
18 . The method of claim 16 wherein the actuation element is a first actuation element and moving the first actuation element relative to the drainage element decreases the fluid resistance through the adjustable shunt, and wherein the method further comprises applying energy to a second actuation element of the adjustable shunt to move the second actuation element relative to the drainage element to increase the fluid resistance through the adjustable shunt.
19 . The method of claim 16 wherein applying energy, from the source external to the patient, includes using a laser to direct laser energy at the actuation element.
20 . The method of claim 19 wherein the laser energy heats the actuation element, and wherein heating the actuation element causes the actuation element to move relative to the drainage element.
21 . The method of claim 20 wherein the actuation element is composed of a shape memory material.
22 . The method of claim 16 wherein the drainage element is a tubular element.