US4563779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Corneal implant and method of making the same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-01-27
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Granted: 1986-01-14
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Expires: 2004-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A corneal implant and method of making the same utilizes a corneal plug removed from an eye, frozen solid, and centrally bored to, but not through, its Bowman's or its Descemet's membrane. An artificial plug which is optically clear is inserted in the bore of the corneal plug and attached thereto. The corneal plug with the artificial plug therein is thereafter implanted in a corresponding opening in the cornea of the patient's eye providing a transparent window free of fluid leakage.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles D. Kelman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A corneal implant comprising: a corneal plug removed from a donor eye and having a posterior surface and an anterior surface spaced from said posterior surface, a membrane covering one of said surfaces, and a bore therein extending substantially to said membrane from the other of said surfaces; and an optically clear artificial plug having dimensions to fit said bore and disposed in said bore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A corneal implant comprising: a corneal plug removed from a donor eye and having a posterior surface and an anterior surface spaced from said posterior surface, a membrane covering one of said surfaces, and a bore therein extending substantially to said membrane from the other of said surfaces; and an optically clear artificial plug having dimensions to fit said bore and disposed in said bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A corneal implant in accordance with claim 1, in which said membrane is Bowman's membrane covering said anterior surface of said plug.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A corneal implant in accordance with claim 1, in which said membrane is Descemet's membrane covering said posterior surface of said plug.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A corneal implant in accordance with claim 1, in which said membrane is a membrane taken from the cornea of an animal and joined to said corneal plug.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A corneal implant in accordance with claim 1 in whcih said bore is a central bore in said corneal plug.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A corneal implant in accordance with claim 1 in which said artificial plug has a curved anterior surface corresponding to the shape of Bowman's membrane covering said bore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A corneal implant in accordance with claim 1 in which said artificial plug has a posterior surface and a flange in the region of said posterior surface thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A corneal implant in accordance with claim 1 in which said artificial plug is sutured to said corneal plug.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A corneal implant in accordance with claim 1 in which said artificial plug is transparent rubber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A corneal implant in accordance with claim 1 in which said artificial plug is transparent plastic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A corneal implant in accordance with claim 1 in which said artificial plug is shaped to exhibit the optical properties of a lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A corneal implant in accordance with claim 1 in which said donor eye is the afflicted eye of the patient who is to receive the corneal implant.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of making a corneal implant comprising: removing from a patient's eye a corneal plug having a posterior surface and an anterior surface and a membrane covering one of said surfaces; solidifying said corneal plug; cutting a bore in said solidified corneal plug from the other of said surfaces substantially to said membrane; disposing in said bore of said solidified corneal plug an optically clear artificial plug having dimensions to fit said bore; and attaching said artificial plug to said corneal plug.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of making a corneal implant comprising: removing from a patient's eye a corneal plug having a posterior surface and an anterior surface and a membrane covering one of said surfaces; solidifying said corneal plug; cutting a bore in said solidified corneal plug from the other of said surfaces substantially to said membrane; disposing in said bore of said solidified corneal plug an optically clear artificial plug having dimensions to fit said bore; and attaching said artificial plug to said corneal plug.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 in which the step of solidifying said corneal plug comprises freezing said corneal plug.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 in which the step of cutting a bore in said solidified corneal plug comprises turning said solidified corneal plug on a lathe.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 which comprises the step of returning said solidified corneal plug to its unsolidified state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 in which the step of attaching said artificial plug to said corneal plug comprises suturing said artificial plug to said corneal plug.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 which comprises implanting said corneal plug with said artificial plug therein in the same patient's eye.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 in which said membrane is Bowman's membrane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 in which said membrane is Descemet's membrane.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method in accordance with claim 13 which comprises replacing said membrane with a membrane removed from the eye of an animal prior to solidifying said corneal plug.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-13 | 1989-07-15 | 1990-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-13 | 1993-07-15 | 1994-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-13 | 1997-07-15 | 1998-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |