Patent ID: 6203513
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: A61F,A61M,Y10T

Abstract:
An implant for regulating fluid flow comprising:(a) tube comprising an inlet end, an outlet end, and a tube passage having a length extending between the inlet end and the outlet end;(b) a flow control structure located within the tube passage and extending over a selected portion of the lengh of the tub passage wherein, over said selected portion of the length of the tube passage, the flow control structure partially obstructs the tube passage, such that, at a given position along said selected portion of the length of the tube passage, the tube passage has a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of the flow control structure, thereby creating constricted flow passage over said selected portion of the length of the tube passage;(c) at least first and second inlet openings proximate the inlet end of the tube at least first and second inlet openings proximate the inlet end of the tube and leading into the tube passage, wherein said second inlet opening is located closer to the outlet end of the tube than the first inlet opening, such that the implant comprises at least (i) a longer first flow path wherein fluid flows into the implant through said first inlet opening and from said first inlet opening through the constricted flow passage to an outlet at the outlet end of said tube; and (ii) a shorter second flow path wherein fulid flows into the implant through said second inlet opening and from siad second inlet opening through the constricted flow passage to an outlet at the oulet end of said tube; and(d) means for selectively occuluding at least one of said first and second inlet openings to selectively prohibit or permit fluid flow through at least one of said first and second flow paths.