EP0590772A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Corneal sponge and method of use
Assignee: Mukai Katsuhiko
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Filing: 1993-08-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A corneal sponge (1) which is placed on the cornea of a patients eye, in use, for laser treatment thereof to absorb unavoidable exuded fluids from the peribulber. The corneal sponge (1) offers protectiveness, convenience and improved effectiveness of corneal laser therapy. The corneal sponge (1) has a surgical space (2) to expose the portion of the corneal to be treated, and includes positioning marks (5) for accurate and easy alignment of the microscopic field. The corneal sponge (1) contains a cool ophthalmic solution used to minimize inflammatory response which may cause postoperative complications such as corneal haze and inconsistent corneal refractions.
Inventors
- 👤 Seiji Itoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/36; A61F13/12; A61F13/122; A61F13/124; A61F9/0008; A61F9/0017; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00802; A61F9/00804; A61F9/009; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3937; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00872
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A corneal sponge, comprising a water absorbing material, an opening (2) provided in said material providing access to the cornea for laser treatment, and at least one positioning mark (5) for target alignment of the microscopic field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
A corneal sponge as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the material is convex in configuration having a radius of curvature of approximately 7-8 mm, said material being not more than approximately 30 mm in diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A cornea sponge as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that said water-absorbing material is selected from the group consisting of plastic sponge, cellulose, blotting paper, cotton, carbon fiber and polymeric absorbent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A corneal sponge as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the or each positioning mark (5) comprises a notch cut from the periphery of said material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A corneal sponge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said positioning marks (5) are four in number, each comprising a notch provided at the periphery of said material, the notches being spaced apart from each other by 90 degrees.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A corneal sponge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said opening (2) is substantially in the center of said material and approximately 6 mm in diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A corneal sponge as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said opening (2) is located along the periphery of said material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
The use of a corneal sponge (1) of the type claimed in any one of the preceding claims in a method comprising the steps of: positioning the sponge (1) directly on the cornea of the eye of a patient; aligning the sponge (1) utilizing the or each positioning mark (5); conducting laser surgery on the exposed area of the cornea through the opening (2) of the sponge (1); and absorbing tears exuded onto the cornea surface undergoing surgery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The use of a corneal sponge as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the method further comprises the step of soaking the sponge (1) in a cool solution of between approximately 2 and 10°C, thus protecting the corneal surface against heat produced by the laser surgery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The use of a corneal sponge as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the laser surgery is laser ablation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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