WO2022111891A1

WO2022111891A1 - Implantable ocular drainage device for controlling intraocular pressure

Info

Publication number: WO2022111891A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/077456
Authority: WO
Inventors: Inês Carolina FIGUEIREDO PEREIRA; Sebastian FREDRICH; Jacob Marinus Jan Den Toonder; Albertus Petrus Hendricus Johannes SCHENNING; Helena Jacqueline Maria BECKERS
Original assignee: Universiteit Maastricht; Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht; Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Priority date: 2020-11-30
Filing date: 2021-10-05
Publication date: 2022-06-02

Abstract

The implantable ocular drainage device for controlling intraocular pressure comprises at least one drainage channel. The at least one drainage channel comprises a section, wherein the section of the at least one drainage channel is configured as a valve mechanism by making this section at least partially from a light responsive liquid crystal polymer.

Description

Title: Implantable ocular drainage device for controlling intraocular pressure

Description

The invention relates to an implantable ocular drainage device for controlling intraocular pressure comprising at least one drainage channel.

Glaucoma is an eye disease and is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. A rise in the intraocular pressure (IOP) is considered to be the major risk factor for glaucoma and is associated with an unbalance between the production and drainage of aqueous humor, due to an abnormal increase of resistance to aqueous humor outflow. Glaucoma drainage devices, which are typically hollow tube-like shunts surgically implanted in the eye, provide an alternative pathway through which aqueous humor can effectively drain, thereby lowering IOP in the eye. However, postoperative IOP is unpredictable and conventional shunts often lack in maintaining IOP at an optimal level. The reason behind this is because the drainage of aqueous humor depends on the fixed hydrodynamic resistance of the shunt. In many cases, however, when the postoperative IOP changes the fixed hydrodynamic resistance of the shunt no longer suffices which may lead to an undesired high IOP in the eye, when the resistance is too high, or to an undesired over-drainage, if the resistance is too low.

A known magnetically actuated control mechanism for an ocular drainage device is for example disclosed in WO2019/051475. This known device comprises a mobile magnetic element, which can be moved by the application of an external magnetic force from a first position, in which the element allows free flow through a drainage tube, to a second position in which the mobile element slows or obstructs flow through the drainage tube. This known device provides a magnetically actuated control mechanism configured to regulate IOP after implanting the ocular drainage device. However, a drawback of the known ocular drainage device is the requirement of stationary magnets in the housing, and a separate movement space for the mobile element.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved implantable ocular drainage device for controlling intraocular pressure and/or a less complex and more compact implantable ocular drainage device.

This object is achieved with the implantable ocular drainage device as defined in claim 1. The implantable ocular drainage device for controlling intraocular pressure comprises at least one drainage channel. At least a section of the at least one drainage channel is configured as a valve mechanism by making this section at least partially from a light responsive liquid crystal polymer. By means of light irradiation on the light responsive liquid crystal polymer flow characteristics of the section of the at least one drainage channel are adjustable to restrict or to enlarge flow through the at least one drainage channel.

The implantable ocular drainage device makes it possible to change the flow through a drainage channel of the device, by configuring at least one section of the drainage channel as a valve mechanism. Such a flow regulation may for example be required postoperatively in response to an undesired intraocular pressure change in the eye. This valve mechanism is provided by making this section of the drainage channel at least partially from a light responsive liquid crystal polymer. Hence, by using the light responsive liquid crystal polymer in a valve mechanism design, the device can be remote-controlled by means of light irradiation without the need of an additional surgery. In fact, the section configured as a valve mechanism in the device may require no or minimal additional components, such that a non-complex and/or compact implantable ocular drainage device can be provided. The active part of the section configured as valve mechanism is made from a light responsive liquid crystal polymer. This light responsive liquid crystal polymer is ordered on the molecular scale giving it some directional properties. Upon shining light of a specific wavelength region (color), for example by an external laser, the responsive entities in the light responsive liquid crystal polymer will for example contract. Together with the directional orientation of the polymer, this leads to macroscopic contraction of the active part in the section and therefore to a change in flow characteristics of the section of the drainage channel. For example, the shape, size and/or orientation of the active part can be changed. The active part of the valve mechanism is arranged in the at least one section of the at least one drainage channel through which in use the aqueous humor from the eye can flow for drainage. In a first non-irradiated state of the active part for example without any blockage of the flow in the section. In a second irradiated state of the active part, the active part blocks the flow in the section and the flow through the at least one drainage channel leading to a reduced or even stopped flow and a building up of intra ocular pressure in the eye. Irradiation of the responsive entities in the light responsive liquid crystal polymer in the section with light of another wavelength (another color) is reverting the process and releases the contraction stress in the material, such that the active part will return back into for example the initial shape and/or initial size such that the flow in the drainage channel is increased again. The shape, orientation and/or size of the active part can only be changed by predetermined light. This way, the device allows in a non-invasive manner to externally control the flow and intraocular pressure bi-directionally according to the desired intraocular pressure of the patient at any time. The active part may be positioned at the part of the implantable device, which is not visible underneath the conjunctiva after implantation to guarantee no accidental illumination of the responsive material in everyday life causing an unintended change of the flow characteristics. By using a predetermined light source at an expert, for example an ophthalmologist, the size or shape or orientation of the active part of the valve mechanism can be changed locally without damaging surrounding tissue. The predetermined light source may be a laser.

In one aspect, a wall of the at least one section of the at least one drainage channel may be made at least partially of the light responsive liquid crystal polymer. Then, by using light with a predetermined wavelength, for example near UV-light, the wall in the at least one section will become thicker or thinner to restrict or enlarge flow passage through the section and the drainage channel, i.e. flow characteristics of the section will be adjusted/changed. Such a restricted flow passage will normally lead to a reduced flow through the device in use and to a build-up of intra ocular pressure in the eye. Irradiation of the light responsive liquid crystal polymer with light of another wavelength, for example blue light, is reverting the process in the section, such that the wall returns back into the initial size/thickness such that the flow in the drainage channel is increased again. The wall of the at least one section of the at least one drainage channel may comprise at least one outer layer, for example made of a biocompatible polymer, and an inner layer made substantially of the light responsive liquid crystal polymer.

In a further aspect, the section configured as a valve mechanism may comprise an integrated valve chamber and a valve element in the integrated valve chamber, wherein the valve element is made substantially of the light responsive liquid crystal polymer. The valve element is the active part of the valve mechanism. Such a valve element makes an accurate control of the valve mechanism possible to adjust/change flow characteristics of the section depending on the desired intraocular pressure of a patient. By means of the light irradiation on the valve element its shape and/or its size and/or its orientation is changeable from a first shape/size/orientation to a second shape/size/orientation and vice versa to control flow characteristics of the section. The valve element may for example be bendable to change its shape from a first shape, for example an unbent shape, to a second shape, for example a bent shape, and vice versa. Such a valve element provides a relatively accurately controllable valve mechanism having a non-complex and compact design. The valve element may be adapted by using light irradiation to seal the integrated valve chamber completely to prevent flow through the section if in use of the device the intraocular pressure (IOP) is low in the eye of an patient, and/or the valve element may be adapted by using light irradiation to open the integrated valve chamber to allow maximum flow through the section, i.e. in response to a relatively high IOP. The valve element may also take states regarding shape, orientation and/or size between these extreme states, for example in case of medium IOP, to maintain the IOP in the eye at a healthy value. Further, the integrated valve chamber may comprise at least one blocking element, wherein the valve element is connected to or can be brought into contact with the at least one blocking element to regulate flow in the integrated valve chamber. Such a blocking element in the integrated valve chamber may facilitate to obtain the desired flow in the section of the drainage channel in a relatively fast and accurate manner, because the required change in shape, orientation and/or size of the valve element provided by light irradiation on the valve element may be relatively small.

The implantable ocular drainage device may comprise a housing, wherein the at least one drainage channel extends between an inlet side of the housing and an outlet side of the housing, wherein in the housing the at least one section configured as a valve mechanism is arranged. The housing may contain all the components required to regulate drainage of aqueous humor from the eye to maintain the IOP in the eye at the desired level. The drainage channel may extend outside the housing, for example outwards from the inlet side of the housing for connection to a (external) drainage tube which in use collects aqueous humor from the anterior chamber inside the eye. In this way the device can be implanted in an efficient and safe manner in a patient to regulate IOP. Inside the housing the at least one drainage channel may subdivided into a primary channel and a secondary channel, wherein the primary channel and the secondary channel define the flow paths of the at least one drainage channel inside the housing, wherein in at least one of the primary channel and the secondary channel the at least one section configured as a valve mechanism is arranged. Many designs as well as multiple sections configured as valve mechanisms in one or multiple housings per ocular drainage device are possible. The individual addressing of multiple valves within one ocular drainage device can result in a stepwise gradient of the flow and therefore a more precisely tuneable IOP.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the appended figures showing exemplary embodiments, in which:

Figures 1A,B show diagrammatic views of a first embodiment of a section configured as a valve mechanism of an implantable ocular drainage device;

Figures 2,2A,B show an implantable ocular drainage device and cross sections of two further embodiments of a section configured as a valve mechanism;

Figures 3A,B show diagrammatic cross-sectional views of a fourth and fifth embodiment of a section configured as a valve mechanism of an implantable ocular drainage device;

Figures 4A-C show various views of a further implantable ocular drainage device and cross sections thereof;

Figures 5A-C show various views of an another implantable ocular drainage device and cross sections thereof;

Figures 6A-C show various views of a still further implantable ocular drainage device and cross sections thereof;

Figure 7 shows a modified section configured as a valve mechanism for the implantable ocular drainage shown in Fig. 6A.

In the following description identical or corresponding parts have identical or corresponding reference numerals. Each feature disclosed with reference to a specific figure can also be combined with another feature disclosed in this disclosure, unless it is evident for a person skilled in the art that these features are incompatible.

In the appended figures various embodiments of a drainage channel section 5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505; 605; 705 are shown which are part of an implantable ocular drainage device according to this document. Each drainage channel section 5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505; 605; 705 is configured as a valve mechanism. Further, examples of the implantable ocular drainage device 101; 401 ; 501 ; 601 for controlling intraocular pressure are shown in the figures (in figures 4A, 5A, 6A the device is shown partially). The implantable ocular drainage device 101; 401; 501 ; 601 for controlling intraocular pressure comprises at least one drainage channel 3; 103; 103’; 203; 303; 403; 503; 603. The section 5; 105; 205; 305; 405; 505; 605; 705 of the drainage channel shown in the figures is at least partially made from a light responsive liquid crystal polymer. By means of light irradiation 10; 210; 310 on the light responsive liquid crystal polymer flow characteristics of the section of the at least one drainage channel are adjustable to restrict or to enlarge flow through the at least one drainage channel 3; 103; 103’; 203; 303; 403; 503; 603. The light irradiation on the light responsive liquid crystal polymer has a predetermined first wavelength, for example near UV-light, to restrict flow through the section and the drainage channel, and the light irradiation on the light responsive liquid crystal polymer has a different predetermined second wavelength, for example blue light, to enlarge flow through the section and the drainage channel. An expert may use a laser or the like to adjust flow characteristics of the section configured as a valve mechanism in a non-invasive manner to obtain in use of the device a desired healthy intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. A general example of a light responsive compound in a liquid crystal polymer is given by the following formula:

Such a compound can be used in a liquid crystal mixture to produce an active part of the valve mechanism disclosed herein together with other compounds such as (liquid crystalline) crosslinker(s), monomer(s), and/or (photo-)initiator(s).

In Figs. 1A-2B a wall 6; 106; 106’ of the tubular section 5; 105 of the tubular drainage channel 3; 103; 103’ is made at least partially of the light responsive liquid crystal polymer. Then, by using light 10 with a predetermined wavelength, the wall thickness (size) in the section will become thicker to restrict flow passage through the section 5; 105 and the drainage channel 3; 103; 103’ incorporating the section, i.e. flow characteristics of the section 5; 105 configured as a valve mechanism will be adjusted/changed. Figures 1A,B show how irradiation by light 10 on the section wall 6 made of light responsive liquid crystal polymer changes the size of the section wall 6, i.e. the thickness (D1-D2) of the wall 6 increases such that a more restricted flow passage, see arrow P2 in Fig. 1B compared to arrow P1 in Fig. 1A, is provided in the section 5 having an increased section wall thickness (D1-D3). The section 5 is indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. 1A,B and the section 5 is a part of the drainage channel 3. The wall of the drainage channel 3 outside the section 5 (not shown in Figs 1A,B) can be made of conventional materials which does not respond to light in a manner as the light responsive liquid crystal polymer in section wall 6 of the section 5. The tubular section 5 shown in figure 1 B leads to a reduced flow through the ocular drainage device (not shown, i.e. only the section of the implantable ocular drainage device is shown in Figs. 1A,B) in use and to a build-up of intra ocular pressure in the eye. Irradiation of the section wall 6 with light of another predetermined wavelength (another color) is reverting the process and releases the contraction stress in the material, such that the thickness of section wall 6 returns back into the initial thickness or first size as shown in Fig. 1A such that the flow in the tubular section 5 and the drainage channel 3 is increased again. In Fig.lA it is further shown that light 10’ not having the predetermined wavelength will not affect the light responsive liquid crystal polymer in the wall 6. The liquid crystal polymers X in Fig. 1A and in a deformed state X’ in Fig. 1 B are only schematically depicted for illustrative purposes only. The wall 106 (Fig. 2A) of the section 105 of the drainage channel 103 comprises one outer layer 106a made of a biocompatible polymer, and an inner layer 106b made substantially of the light responsive liquid crystal polymer. In the alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 2B the wall 106’ of the section 105 of the drainage channel 103’ comprises an additional most inner layer 106c’ made of a biocompatible polymer in addition to the layers 106a’, 106b’ which are made of the same material as layers 106a, 106b. The layer 106b; 106b’ can become thicker or thinner by light with a predetermined wavelength in a manner similar as shown in Figs. 1A,B. In other words a more restricted flow can be obtained in the section 105 by increasing the thickness of the wall 106; 106’. This process can also be reverted in the same manner as described above for Figs. 1A,B. The thickness of the wall varies as a result of the layer 106b; 106b’, i.e. the thickness of the other layers 106a; 106a’, 106a’ remains substantially constant, because the biocompatible polymer will not respond to the light used to adjust the size/thickness of the layer 106b; 106b’. The valve mechanism in Figs. 1A- 2B is provided by the wall 6; and the wall layers 106b; 106b’ of the section 5; 105. Hence, it is possible to obtain an improved implantable ocular drainage device 101 , because flow characteristics can be controlled/adjusted actively externally in a non- invasive manner, whereas the dimensions of the device 101 can be compact, i.e. identical or substantially identical to the dimensions of a conventional hollow tube-like shunt without any means to actively control the flow there through in a non-invasive manner.

In the embodiments shown in Figs. 3A-7, the implantable ocular drainage device 401; 501 ; 601 has a section 205; 305; 405; 505; 605; 705 of the drainage channel configured as a valve mechanism, wherein the section comprises an integrated valve chamber 208; 308; 408; 508; 608; 708 and a valve element 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712 in the integrated valve chamber, wherein the valve element 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712 is made of the light responsive liquid crystal polymer. Other components shown in the Figs. 3A-7 can be made of biocompatible polymer which will not respond to the light used for the light responsive liquid crystal polymer to change the shape of the valve element. The valve element 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712 is adapted by using light irradiation to seal the integrated valve chamber 208; 308; 408; 508; 608; 708 completely to prevent flow through the section 205; 305; 405; 505; 605; 705 if in use of the device intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye of an patient is low. The valve element is also adapted by using light irradiation to open the integrated valve chamber to allow maximum flow through the section, i.e. in use of the device in response to a relatively high IOP. These two extremes states regarding shape or orientation of the valve element are shown in Figs. 3A-7. However, the valve element may also take states regarding shape or orientation between these extreme states (not shown), for example in case of medium IOP, to maintain the IOP in the eye at a healthy value.

In Figs. 3A,B the valve elements 212; 312 use blocking elements 214; 314 which may be made of biocompatible polymer as described above. The valve elements 212 in the integrated valve chamber 208 can be brought into contact with the blocking elements 214 by using light 210 as described herein to prevent flow through the section, see right drawing in Fig. 3A showing the valve elements in a bent second shape. The valve elements 212 can also be brought back to the first flat or unbent shape by light irradiation in which the valve elements allow flow (see arrow) between the valve elements 212 and the blocking elements 214 as shown in the left drawing in Fig. 3A. The valve elements 312 can also be connected to the blocking elements 314 as shown in Fig. 3B to regulate flow in the integrated valve chamber 308 by using light 310, wherein in a bent first shape the valve elements 312 allow flow (see arrow) between the blocking elements 314 and a chamber wall 306 as shown in the left drawing of Fig. 3B and in a flat unbent second shape the valve elements 312 prevent flow through the section 305, see right drawing in Fig. 3B. Such a blocking element 214; 314 facilitates to obtain the desired flow in the section 205; 305 of the drainage channel of the implantable ocular drainage device (not shown, i.e. only the section of the implantable ocular drainage device is shown in Figs. 3A,B) in a relatively fast and accurate manner, because the required change in shape of the valve element 212; 312 may be relatively small. The valve elements 212; 312 are film-like layers, wherein opposite ends of each film-like layer are fixed to the integrated valve chamber 208; 308 such that its central section can bend upon irradiation with the predetermined light. The central sections of the valve elements 212 can be brought into contact with the stationary blocking elements 214 by bending. The stationary blocking elements 212 are part of the integrated valve chamber 208. The central sections of the valve elements 312 are connected to the blocking elements 314, such that bending of the central sections will displace the blocking elements 314. The integrated valve chamber 208; 308 further has recesses 218; 318 to provide space for the central sections of the valve elements 212; 312 for bending.

In the embodiments shown in Figs. 4A-7, the implantable ocular drainage device 401 ; 501; 601 comprises a housing 420; 520; 620, wherein the at least one drainage channel 403; 503; 603 at least extends between an inlet side 422; 522; 622 of the housing and an outlet side 424; 524; 624 of the housing. The drainage channel 403; 503; 603 is connectable to a drainage tube 80 which in use collects aqueous humor from the anterior chamber inside the eye. As shown in Figs. 4A-6C, the drainage channel is connected to a drainage tube 80. The at least one section 405; 505; 605; 705 configured as a valve mechanism is arranged in the housing 420; 520; 620. The section comprises an integrated valve chamber 408; 508; 608; 708 and a valve element 412; 512; 612; 712 in the integrated valve chamber, wherein the valve element 412; 512; 612; 712 is made of the light responsive liquid crystal polymer. Inside the housing 420; 520; 620 the drainage channel 403; 503; 603 is subdivided into a primary channel 403a; 503a; 603a; 703a and a secondary channel 403b; 503b; 603b, wherein in the primary channel the section configured as a valve mechanism is arranged, whereas the secondary channel 403b; 503b; 603b is permanently open. The secondary outlet channel 403b; 503b; 603b has a cross-sectional area smaller than the primary outlet channel 403a; 503a; 603a; 703a. The secondary outlet channel 403b; 503b; 603b remains open in both “low flow” or “high flow” modes of the device 401 ; 501 ; 601. The dimensions of the secondary outlet channel 403b; 503b; 603b have been predetermined in order to achieve a desired minimum drainage in the device.

The integrated valve chamber 408 of the implantable ocular drainage device 401 is cylindrical and the valve element 412 is positioned in the cylindrical integrated valve chamber. A fluid inlet 432 of the integrated valve chamber 408 is positioned in a top side of the integrated valve chamber, wherein the fluid outlet 434 of the integrated valve chamber is positioned in a side of the integrated valve chamber facing the outlet side 424, i.e. the fluid inlet 432 of the integrated valve chamber is positioned at a higher level than the fluid outlet 434 of the integrated valve chamber 408. By using light irradiation as described herein the shape of the valve element 412 can be changed from a flat cylindrical shape 412a allowing flow (see arrow Fig. 4B) through the valve chamber 408 as shown in Fig. 4a to a reverted cone 412b blocking the fluid inlet 432 as shown in Fig. 4b such that no flow through the valve chamber 408 is possible anymore. This process can also be reverted by using light with the predetermined wavelength.

The integrated valve chamber 508 of the implantable ocular drainage device 501 is shaped as a cuboid and the valve element 512 is positioned in the integrated valve chamber. The valve element 512 is a film-like element which is fixed with one end to the valve chamber such that the remainder of the film-like element is able to displace in the valve chamber in a hinge-like manner. The dimensions in the length and width direction of the film-like element correspond to the internal dimensions of the chamber, so that all sides of the element are in contact with the inner chamber walls. A fluid inlet 532 of the integrated valve chamber 508 is positioned in a side wall of the integrated valve chamber, wherein the fluid outlet 534 of the integrated valve chamber is positioned in a side of the integrated valve chamber facing the outlet side 524, i.e. the fluid inlet 532 of the integrated valve chamber is positioned at approximately the same level as the fluid outlet 534 of the integrated valve chamber 508. By using light irradiation as described herein the orientation of the valve element 512 can be changed from a first orientation (Fig. 5B), wherein the valve element 512a extends substantially parallel to the bottom side of the chamber, to a second orientation (Fig. 5C) in which the valve element 512b encloses an acute angle a with the bottom side of the chamber. In the first orientation (Fig. 5B) of the valve element flow is allowed through the valve chamber 508 between the fluid inlet 532 and the fluid outlet 534, wherein in the second orientation (Fig. 5C) of the valve element fluid is blocked in the chamber 508 by the valve element, i.e. as a result of the orientation of the valve element fluid can no longer reach the fluid outlet 534. This process can also be reverted by using light with the predetermined wavelength.

The integrated valve chamber 608; 708 of the implantable ocular drainage device 601 is shaped as a cuboid and the valve element 612; 712 is positioned in the integrated valve chamber. A fluid inlet 632 of the integrated valve chamber 608; 708 is positioned in a side wall of the integrated valve chamber, wherein the fluid outlet 634; 734 of the integrated valve chamber is positioned in a bottom side of the integrated valve chamber. The valve element 612; 712 is a film-like element which is partly fixed to the valve chamber such that the remainder of the film-like element is able to displace in the valve chamber by bending. The dimension in the width direction of the film-like element corresponds to the internal width dimension of the chamber, so that longitudinal sides of the element are in contact with the inner longitudinal chamber side walls. The valve element 612 differs from the valve element 712, in that one end section of the valve element 612 is fixed to the valve chamber such that most of the valve element 612 is able to move in the valve chamber, whereas in the valve element 712 approximately at least the half of the valve element 712 is fixed to the bottom side of the valve chamber 708 such that a relatively small end section of the valve element 712 is able to move in the valve chamber. Upon irradiation as described herein, the movable section of the valve element 612; 712 will start to bend towards the light source, i.e. the shape of the valve element 612; 712 can be changed from a flat shape 612a; 712a (see Fig. 6B and the flat shape 712a of the valve element 712 shown with dotted lines in Fig. 7) allowing flow through the valve chamber 608; 708 to a bent shape 612b; 712b blocking the fluid in the chamber 608; 708 by the valve element 612; 712, i.e. as a result of the bent shape of the valve element fluid can no longer reach the fluid outlet 634; 734.

It is possible to provide a valve element (not shown) in which a combination of size and/or shape and/or orientation is used, such that in the valve element its shape and/or its size and/or its orientation is changeable from a first shape/size/orientation to a second shape/size/orientation and vice versa to change flow characteristics of the section (not shown).

Claims

1. An implantable ocular drainage device for controlling intraocular pressure comprising at least one drainage channel, characterised in that at least a section of the at least one drainage channel is configured as a valve mechanism by making this section at least partially from a light responsive liquid crystal polymer, wherein by means of light irradiation on the light responsive liquid crystal polymer flow characteristics of the section of the at least one drainage channel are adjustable to restrict or to enlarge flow through the at least one drainage channel.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a wall of the at least one section of the at least one drainage channel is made at least partially of the light responsive liquid crystal polymer.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a wall of the at least one section of the at least one drainage channel comprises at least one outer layer, for example made of a biocompatible polymer, and an inner layer made of the light responsive liquid crystal polymer.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the section configured as a valve mechanism comprises an integrated valve chamber and a valve element in the integrated valve chamber, wherein the valve element is made of the light responsive liquid crystal polymer.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein by means of light irradiation on the valve element its shape and/or its size and/or its orientation is changeable from a first shape/size/orientation to a second shape/size/orientation and vice versa to change flow characteristics of the section.

6. The device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein by means of light irradiation on the valve element, the valve element is bendable to change its shape from a first shape, for example an unbent shape, to a second shape, for example a bent shape, and vice versa.

7. The device according to any preceding claim 4-6, wherein the valve element is adapted by using light irradiation to seal the integrated valve chamber to prevent flow through the section and/or the valve element is adapted by using light irradiation to open the integrated valve chamber to allow maximum flow through the section.

8. The device according to any preceding claim 4-7, wherein the integrated valve chamber comprises at least one blocking element, wherein the valve element is connected to or can be brought into contact with the at least one blocking element to regulate flow in the integrated valve chamber.

9. The device according to any preceding claim 4-8, wherein a fluid inlet of the integrated valve chamber is positioned at a higher level than a fluid outlet of the integrated valve chamber.

10. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the light irradiation on the light responsive liquid crystal polymer has a predetermined first wavelength, for example near UV-light, to restrict flow through the at least one drainage channel, and the light irradiation on the light responsive liquid crystal polymer has a predetermined second wavelength, for example blue light, to enlarge flow through the at least one drainage channel, preferably the light source for light irradiation is a laser.

11. The device according to any preceding claims, wherein the at least one drainage channel is connectable or connected to a drainage tube which in use collects aqueous humor from the anterior chamber inside the eye.

12. The device according to any preceding claims, wherein the implantable ocular drainage device comprises a housing, wherein the at least one drainage channel extends between an inlet side of the housing and an outlet side of the housing, wherein in the housing the at least one section configured as a valve mechanism is arranged.

13. The device according claims 12, wherein inside the housing the at least one drainage channel is subdivided into a primary channel and a secondary channel, wherein the primary channel and the secondary channel define the flow paths of the at least one drainage channel inside the housing, wherein in at least one of the primary channel and the secondary channel the at least one section configured as a valve mechanism is arranged.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein in the primary channel or in the secondary channel the at least one section configured as a valve mechanism is arranged, whereas the other channel is permanently open.

15. The device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the primary or the secondary channel without a section configured as a valve mechanism has a cross sectional area smaller than the channel with the valve mechanism.