the present invention provides an aqueous humor shunt device to divert aqueous humor in the eye from the anterior chamber into schlemm &# 39 ; s canal , in which the shunt device comprises a distal portion having at least one terminal aspect sized and shaped to be circumferentially received within a portion of schlemm &# 39 ; s canal , and a proximal portion having at least one terminal aspect sized and shaped to be received within the anterior chamber of the eye , wherein the device permits fluid communication between the proximal portion in the anterior chamber to the distal portion in schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . fluid communication can be facilitated by an aqueous humor directing channel in either the proximal or distal portions , as described below . fluid communication can also be facilitated by a wicking function of a solid proximal or distal portions of the device , for example . the present invention also provides embodiments of an inventive shunt comprising a body of biocompatible material of a size and shape adapted to be at least partially circumferentially received within a portion of schlemm &# 39 ; s canal to divert aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the human eye to and within schlemm &# 39 ; s canal , and wherein the body facilitates the passage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber into schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . this embodiment of the device of the present invention can be produced without the proximal portion of the previous embodiment extending into the anterior chamber . an aqueous humor directing channel can facilitate the passage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber into schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . fluid communication can also be facilitated by a wicking function of a solid body portion , for example . the invention contemplates many different configurations for an aqueous humor directing channel , provided that each assists in channeling aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to schlemm &# 39 ; s canal , such as by providing a lumen , trough , wick or capillary action . for example , the aqueous humor directing channel can be a fully enclosed lumen , a partially enclosed lumen , or a trough - like channel that is at least partially open . the invention contemplates that a solid monofilament or braided polymer , such as proline , can be inserted into schlemm &# 39 ; s canal to provide a wicking function to facilitate the passage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . such a wicking extension can also be grooved or fluted along any portion of the length thereof , so as to be multi - angular or star - shaped in cross - section . the devices of the present invention can be constructed of a solid , matrix , mesh , fenestrated , or porous material , or combinations thereof . traditional glaucoma teaching states that schlemm &# 39 ; s canal in an adult is divided by septa into separate canals , rendering the complete passage of a suture impossible . preliminary studies on adult human eye bank eyes have shown that schlemm &# 39 ; s canal is , indeed , patent . a suture can be passed through the entire circumference of the canal . it has not been heretofore determined that schlemm &# 39 ; s canal is patent throughout its circumference in normal adult individuals , as opposed to being divided by septae into multiple dead end canals . the invention utilizes this knowledge to access schlemm &# 39 ; s canal and to create and maintain the natural physiologic egress of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to schlemm &# 39 ; s canal and to the collecting channels . the present invention also provides methods of use of the shunt devices . one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a surgical method to divert aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into schlemm &# 39 ; s canal with a device that is implanted to extend from within the anterior chamber to schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . the portion of the device extending into schlemm &# 39 ; s canal can be fashioned from a flexible material capable of being received within a portion of the radius , curvature , and diameter of schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . all or parts of the device may be solid , porous , tubular , trough - like , fenestrated , or pre - curved . one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in fig1 a , in which the shunt device 100 is shown in a side view . the shunt device 100 of this embodiment is comprised of two portions , a proximal portion 10 which joins a distal portion 25 . the proximal portion 10 and distal portion 25 shown create an enclosed tubular channeling structure . the total length of the distal portion 25 may be between about 1 and 40 mm , preferably about 6 mm . the same embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with phantom lines showing the internal fluid communication path in fig1 b . the lumen or channeling space defined by the walls of the proximal portion 10 and the distal portion ( s ) 25 are continuous at their junction at the distal portion portal 20 . an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig1 c , in which the shunt device 100 is comprised of two luminal mesh elements , with a proximal portion 10 which joins a distal portion 25 . yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig1 d , in which the shunt device 100 is comprised of two solid , porous elements which may provide wick - like fluid communication therethrough , with a proximal portion 10 which joins a distal portion 25 . an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig1 e , in which the shunt device 100 is comprised of a proximal portion 10 having two lumens therein terminating in proximal portion portals 18 . the distal portion 25 shaped and sized to be received within schlemm &# 39 ; s canal extends in either direction having separate lumens traversing therethrough from each of the distal portion portals 20 . other examples of embodiments of the present invention are shown in fig2 - 5d . fig2 shows an embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the device 100 is tubular and fenestrated ( 15 , 30 ) in its configuration , with an acute (& lt ; 90 °) angle of junction between the proximal portion 10 and the plane defined by the distal portion 25 . such fenestrations ( 15 , 30 ) may be placed along any portion of the device 100 to facilitate the passage of fluid therethrough , but are particularly directed towards the collecting channels of the eye . fig2 further shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which the terminal aspect 16 of the proximal portion 10 is angulated toward the iris 40 with respect to the main axis of the proximal portion 10 , with the portal 18 of the proximal portion directed toward the iris 40 . in alternate embodiments as shown in fig6 c , the portal 18 of the proximal portion 10 is directed away from the iris 40 . fig3 a shows an embodiment of the inventive shunt in which a portion of the channeling device is enclosed and tubular in configuration at the junction of the proximal portion 10 and the distal portion 25 , but where the distal portion 10 is a trough - like channel . the distal portion portal 20 is also shown . the invention contemplates that any portion of the device 100 can be semi - tubular , open and trough - like , or a wick - like extension . tubular channels can be round , ovoid , or any other enclosed geometry . preferably the non - tubular trough - like aspects are oriented posteriorly on the outer wall of the canal to facilitate aqueous humor drainage to the collecting channels of the eye , as shown in fig3 a . fig3 b shows an overhead view of the embodiment of the inventive shunt of fig3 a , further detailing the relationship among the proximal portion 10 and the distal portion 25 . the aqueous humor directing channel is shown in dashed lines . fig3 c shows a proximal view of the embodiment of the inventive shunt of fig3 a , further detailing the relationship among the proximal portion 10 and the distal portion 25 . fig3 d shows another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the structure of the device 100 comprises an aqueous humor directing channel that is both open and curved in a continuous trough - like configuration along the proximal portion 10 and the distal portion 25 . the distal portion portal 20 is also an open trough - like channel . fig4 shows another embodiment of the inventive shunt with the addition of aqueous humor - wicking extensions 32 which are either continuous with , or attached to the terminal aspects of the distal portion 25 . the wicking extensions 32 can be fashioned from a monofilament or braided polymer , such as proline , and preferably have a length of 1 . 0 mm to 16 . 0 mm . furthermore , the proximal portion 10 is curved and the terminal aspect 16 comprises a sealed , blunted tip and contains a portal 18 in fluid communication with the lumen of the proximal portion 10 and oriented to face away from the iris when the shunt device 100 is implanted in its intended anatomic position . the shunt device 100 can also help to maintain the patency of schlemm &# 39 ; s canal in a stenting fashion . fig5 a shows another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the proximal portion 10 joins a single , curved distal portion 25 in a “ v - shaped ,” tubular configuration . the embodiment shown in fig5 a can also have a portal ( not shown ) in the distal portion 25 adjacent to the junction with the proximal portion 10 in order to facilitate bi - directional flow of fluid within the canal . fenestrations and non - tubular , trough - like terminal openings are contemplated in all embodiments of the invention , and these fenestrations and openings may be round , ovoid , or other shapes as needed for optimum aqueous humor channeling function within the anatomic spaces involved . fig5 b shows another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the body or device 100 comprises only a single , curved distal portion 25 which contains a distal portion portal 20 oriented towards the anterior chamber to allow egress of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . the body of this device can have a length of about 1 . 0 mm to 40 mm , preferably about 6 mm . the external diameter can be about 0 . 1 mm to 0 . 5 mm , or about 0 . 3 mm . fig5 c shows another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the device 100 comprises a bi - directional tubular distal portion 25 which is intersected by a proximal portion 10 which is short in length relative to the distal portion 25 and is directed towards the anterior chamber . fig5 d shows still another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the device 100 comprises a bi - directional , trough - like , curved distal portion 25 for insertion into schlemm &# 39 ; s canal , which contains a distal portion portal 20 oriented to allow egress of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber , wherein the trough - like distal portion 25 is oriented to open toward the collecting channels to facilitate the egress of aqueous humor . fig5 e shows another embodiment of the inventive shunt in which the device 100 comprises a bi - directional , solid distal portion 25 for insertion into schlemm &# 39 ; s canal to facilitate the egress of aqueous humor from the canal to the collecting channels in a wicking capacity . the solid distal portion 25 can be porous or non - porous . as the inventive device is an implant , it can be fabricated from a material that will be compatible with the tissues and fluids with which it is in contact . it is preferable that the device not be absorbed , corroded , or otherwise structurally compromised during its in situ tenure . moreover , it is equally important that the eye tissues and the aqueous remain non - detrimentally affected by the presence of the implanted device . a number of materials are available to meet the engineering and medical specifications for the shunts . in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention , the shunt device 100 is constructed of a biologically inert , flexible material such as silicone or similar polymers . alternate materials might include , but are not limited to , thin - walled teflon , polypropylene , other polymers or plastics , metals , or some combination of these materials . the shunt device 100 may be constructed as either porous or solid in alternate embodiments . the material can contain a therapeutic agent deliverable to the adjacent tissues . in the embodiments shown in fig1 - 4 , the proximal portion 10 joins the distal portion ( s ) 25 at an angle sufficient to allow the placement of the proximal portion 10 within the anterior chamber of the eye when the distal portion 25 is oriented in the plane of schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . the proximal portion 10 is preferably of sufficient length , about 0 . 1 to 3 . 0 mm or about 2 . 0 mm , to extend from its junction with the distal portion 25 in schlemm &# 39 ; s canal towards the adjacent space of the anterior chamber . while many geometries can be used for channeling aqueous humor , the diameter or width of the proximal portion 10 can be sized to yield an internal diameter of between about 0 . 1 and 0 . 5 mm , preferably 0 . 20 mm . for a tubular or curved shunt , or a comparable maximal width for a shunt with a multiangular configuration . in other embodiments , the proximal portion is a non - luminal , non - trough - like wicking extension that provides an aqueous humor directing channel along the length thereof . because the nature of the iris 40 is such that it tends to comprise a plurality of rather flaccid fimbriae of tissue , it is desirable to avoid said fimbriae from being drawn into the lumen of an implant , thus occluding the shunt device . therefore , the proximal portion 10 may contain a plurality of fenestrations to allow fluid ingress , arranged to prevent occlusion by the adjacent iris . alternately , the proximal portion 10 may comprise only a proximal portion portal 18 in the form of a fenestration oriented anteriorly to provide continuous fluid egress between the anterior chamber of the eye and the directing channel of the shunt . said fenestrations may be any functional size , and circular or non - circular in various embodiments of the present invention . in addition , a porous structural material can assist in channeling aqueous humor , while minimizing the potential for intake of fimbriae . furthermore , the proximal portion 10 may be positioned sufficiently remote from the iris 40 to prevent interference therewith such as by traversing a more anterior aspect of the trabecular meshwork into the peripheral corneal tissue . in yet another possible embodiment , as shown in fig6 c , the device 100 may comprise a proximal portion 10 in which the terminal aspect 16 of said proximal portion . 10 is curved or angled toward the iris 40 , and with a , blunted , sealed tip and a portal 18 oriented anteriorly to face away from the underlying iris 40 . such a configuration would tend to decrease the possibility of occlusion of the shunt device by the iris 40 . the device 100 may contain one or more unidirectional valves to prevent backflow into the anterior chamber from schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . the internal lumen for an enclosed portion of the device or the internal channel defined by the edges of an open portion of the device communicates directly with the inner lumen or channel of the distal portion at the proximal portion portal 20 . the distal portion 25 may have a preformed curve to approximate the 6 . 0 mm radius of schlemm &# 39 ; s canal in a human eye . such a pre - formed curvature is not required when flexible material is used to construct the shunt device 100 . the distal portion 25 may be of sufficient length to extend from the junction with the proximal portion 10 through any length of the entire circumference of schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . embodiments having a distal portion 25 that extends in either direction within schlemm &# 39 ; s canal can extend in each direction about 1 . 0 mm to 20 mm , or about 3 . 0 mm , to permit circumferential placement through schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . the diameter or width of the distal portion 25 can be sized to yield an outer diameter of between about 0 . 1 and 0 . 5 mm , or about 0 . 3 mm , for a tubular or curved shunt , or a comparable maximal width for a shunt with a multiangular configuration . the distal portion 25 may contain a plurality of fenestrations to allow fluid egress , arranged to prevent occlusion by the adjacent walls of schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . in other embodiments , the distal portion is a non - luminal , non - trough - like wicking extension that provides an aqueous humor directing channel along the length thereof . in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention , the shunt device may be either bi - directional , with the distal portion of the implant intersecting with the proximal portion in a “ t - shaped ” junction as shown in fig1 a - 1e , 2 , 3 a - 3 d , 4 and 5 c , or uni - directional , with a “ v - shaped ” junction of the proximal and distal shunt portions , as shown in fig5 a . a bi - directional shunt device can have a distal portion that is threaded into opposing directions within schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . in the case of the unidirectional shunt , only the distal shunt portion is placed within schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . in these exemplary embodiments , “ non - linear fluid communication ” means that at least some portion of the shunt through which fluid passes is not in a straight line . examples of non - linear shunts are the above described bi - directional “ t ” shapes , and the uni - directional “ v ” shapes , or shunts having two channel openings which are not in straight alignment with each other . the surgical anatomy relevant to the present invention is illustrated in fig6 a . generally , fig6 a shows the anterior chamber 35 , schlemm &# 39 ; s canal 33 , the iris 40 , cornea 45 , trabecular meshwork 50 , collecting channels 55 , episcleral veins 60 , pupil 65 , and lens 70 . fig6 b illustrates the surgical placement of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention , with the relevant anatomic relationships . it should be noted that the inventive device is designed so that placement of the distal portion 25 within schlemm &# 39 ; s canal 33 results in an orientation of the proximal portion 10 within the anterior chamber 35 within the angle defined by the iris 40 and the inner surface of the cornea 45 . therefore , if the plane defined by schlemm &# 39 ; s canal 33 is defined as zero degrees , the proximal portion 10 can extend therefrom at an angle of between about + 60 degrees towards the cornea 45 or − 30 degrees toward the iris 40 , more preferably in the range of 0 to + 45 degrees . this range may vary in individuals having a slightly different location of schlemm &# 39 ; s canal 33 relative to the limbal angle of the anterior chamber 35 . in yet another embodiment of the present invention not shown , the shunt device 100 is configured with one distal portion 25 which is tubular to provide a shunting functionality and a plurality of proximal portions 10 which provide an anchoring function to stabilize the overall implant device , in addition to providing fluid communication from the anterior chamber to schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . the surgical procedure necessary to insert the device requires an approach through a conjunctival flap . a partial thickness scleral flap is then created and dissected half - thickness into clear cornea . the posterior aspect of schlemm &# 39 ; s canal is identified and the canal is entered posteriorly . the anterior chamber may be deepened with injection of a viscoelastic and a miotic agent . the proximal portion of the shunt is then inserted through the inner wall of schlemm &# 39 ; s canal and trabecular meshwork into the anterior chamber within the angle between the iris and the cornea . in some cases , as incision may be needed from schlemm &# 39 ; s canal through the trabecular meshwork into the anterior chamber to facilitate passage of the proximal portion therethrough . one arm of the distal portion of the shunt device is grasped and threaded into schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . in a similar fashion , the other arm of the distal portion of the shunt device ( when present ) is inserted into schlemm &# 39 ; s canal in the opposing direction from the first . the scleral flap and conjunctival wound are closed in a conventional manner . while the above - described embodiments are exemplary , the invention contemplates a wide variety of shapes and configurations of the shunt to provide fluid communication between the anterior chamber and schlemm &# 39 ; s canal . the above - described embodiments are therefore not intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims and equivalents thereof .
shunt devices and a method for continuously decompressing elevated intraocular pressure in eyes affected by glaucoma by diverting excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into schlemm &# 39 ; s canal where post - operative patency can be maintained with an indwelling shunt device which surgically connects the canal with the anterior chamber . the shunt devices provide uni - or bi - directional flow of aqueous humor into schlemm &# 39 ; s canal .