US4781187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and implant for refractive keratoplasty
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-08-19
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Granted: 1988-11-01
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Expires: 2006-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and implant for refractive keratoplasty or improved radial keratotomy. The improved radial keratotomy comprising making a plurality of radial corneal incisions in accordance with prior practices to correct the detected impaired vision. A piece of donor corneal tissue having a preselected geometric configuration and dimensions is inserted into keratotomy incisions and fixed in position by suturing. The corneal tissue implant may be rectangular or triangular in shape. When the implant is triangular in shape, it is inserted either base down or base up in accordance with the type of vision problem to be corrected.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Herrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/013; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/147; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00969; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of radial keratotomy including the steps of producing a preselected number of radial keratotomy incisions in the cornea of a human eye for correcting impaired vision, providing a thin piece of donor corneal tissue of a preselected geometric configuration selected in accordance with the desired correction in refractive properties of the cornea to restore substantially normal vision and sized for insertion into said radial keratotomy incisions, inserting a thin piece of donor corneal tissue into a preselected number of said corneal incisions, in a preselected orientation in accordance with the desired correction in refractive properties, and fixing the thin pieces in position in said corneal incisions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of radial keratotomy including the steps of producing a preselected number of radial keratotomy incisions in the cornea of a human eye for correcting impaired vision, providing a thin piece of donor corneal tissue of a preselected geometric configuration selected in accordance with the desired correction in refractive properties of the cornea to restore substantially normal vision and sized for insertion into said radial keratotomy incisions, inserting a thin piece of donor corneal tissue into a preselected number of said corneal incisions, in a preselected orientation in accordance with the desired correction in refractive properties, and fixing the thin pieces in position in said corneal incisions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of radial keratotomy as defined in claim 1 wherein said thin piece of donor corneal tissue is shaped to be of a generally triangular configuration and is inserted into the incision, base down.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of radial keratotomy as defined in claim 1 wherein said thin piece of donor corneal tissue is shaped to be of a generally triangular configuration and is inserted into the incision, base out.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of radial keratotomy as defined in claim 2 wherein said thin piece of donor corneal tissue is shaped to be of a generally rectangular configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of radial keratotomy as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said step of fixing said thin pieces of corneal tissue comprises suturing said thin pieces of corneal tissue to the human eye tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of radial keratotomy as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of fixing said thin pieces of corneal tissue comprises suturing said thin pieces of corneal tissue to the human eye tissue at a plurality of spaced locations at approximately right angles to said pieces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of radial keratotomy as defined in claim 6 wherein the step of suturing comprises suturing nylon sutures at approximately half the corneal depth.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4077411A
Cited
GB2095119A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-01 | 1992-05-02 | 1992-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-01 | 1996-05-02 | 1996-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-01 | 2000-05-02 | 2000-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |