US4781675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infusion cannula
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-08-27
•
Granted: 1988-11-01
•
Expires: 2007-08-27
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to an infusion cannula for infusing fluids into various cavities of the eye. The cannula comprises a tube having first and second ends and a check valve therebetween for allowing fluid flow only toward the first end. The first end of the cannula secured within the eye and the second end of the cannula is attached to a fluid source.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas C. White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/0008; A61F9/0017; A61F9/007; A61F9/00781
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
An implantable infusion cannula for infusing fluids into an eye, comprising a tube having first and second ends and having a flexible portion therebetween capable of conforming to the curvature of the eye; check valve means positioned between the first and second ends for allowing fulid flow only toward the first end; means adjacent to the first end for securing the tube to an eye wall; and means at said second end for attaching the cannula to a fluid source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
An implantable infusion cannula for infusing fluids into an eye, comprising a tube having first and second ends and having a flexible portion therebetween capable of conforming to the curvature of the eye; check valve means positioned between the first and second ends for allowing fulid flow only toward the first end; means adjacent to the first end for securing the tube to an eye wall; and means at said second end for attaching the cannula to a fluid source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The infusion cannula of claim 1 further comprising a compressable reservoir interposed between said check valve and said second end for receiving infusion fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The infusion cannula of claim 1 wherein the attaching means comprises a rubber plug for receiving therethrough a hypodermic needle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The infusion cannula of claim 1, wherein the securing means comprises a flange extending radially outwardly from the tube near its first end, the flange being attachable to the eye.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The infusion cannula of claim 1 wherein the attaching means comprises a hilt for receiving infusion tubing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
An implantable infusion cannula for infusing fluids into an eye, comprising a tube having first and second ends and having a flexible portion therebetween capable of conforming to the curvature of the eye; check valve means disposed within the tube between the first and second ends, compressible reservoir means interposed between said check valve means and the second end for receiving infusion fluid; means adjacent to the first end for securing the tube to an eye wall, said means including a flange extending radially outwardly of the tube adjacent its first end, the flange being attachable to the eye wall; and means at said second end for attaching the cannula to a fluid source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
An implantable infusion cannula for infusing fluids into an eye, comprising a tube having first and second ends and having a flexible portion therebetween capable of conforming to the curvature of the eye; check valve means disposed within the tube between the first and second ends, compressible reservoir means interposed between said check valve means and the second end for receiving infusion fluid; means adjacent to the first end for securing the tube to an eye wall, said means including a flange extending radially outwardly of the tube adjacent its first end, the flange being attachable to the eye wall; and means at said second end for attaching the cannula to a fluid source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The infusion cannula of claim 6 wherein the attaching means comprises a rubber plug for receiving therethrough a hypodermic needle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Infusion cannula of claim 6 wherein the attaching means comprises a hilt for receiving infusion tubing.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of infusing fluid into an eye comprising the steps of: providing an implantable infusion cannula having first and second ends and a flexible portion therebetween capable of conforming to the curvature of the eye and a check valve disposed within the tube between the first and second ends to allow fluid flow only toward the first end; surgically inserting the first end of the cannula into the eye; securing the cannula to an eye wall; attaching an infusion fluid source to the second end of the cannula; periodically infusing fluid into the eye; and detaching the fluid source from the second end of the cannula, whereby the check valve will prevent reflux of fluid through the cannula.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of infusing fluid into an eye comprising the steps of: providing an implantable infusion cannula having first and second ends and a flexible portion therebetween capable of conforming to the curvature of the eye and a check valve disposed within the tube between the first and second ends to allow fluid flow only toward the first end; surgically inserting the first end of the cannula into the eye; securing the cannula to an eye wall; attaching an infusion fluid source to the second end of the cannula; periodically infusing fluid into the eye; and detaching the fluid source from the second end of the cannula, whereby the check valve will prevent reflux of fluid through the cannula.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the insertion step includes the step of inserting the first end of the cannula through the wall of the eye into the vitreous cavity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the attaching step includes the step of attaching a tube to a hilt at the second end of the cannula.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the attaching step includes the step of inserting a hypodermic needle through a rubber plug contained in the second end of the tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of providing a compressable reservoir in fluid communication with the tube and disposed between the check valve and said second end, the infusing step including the steps of infusing fluid into the reservoir and compressing the reservoir to infuse fluid into the eye.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the first end of the cannula is inserted into orbital spaces outside of the vitreous cavity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2969066A
Cited
US3452757A
Cited
US3788327A
Cited
US3827439A
Cited
US4041947A
Cited
US4019514A
Cited
US4078564A
Cited
US4078564B1
Cited
US4405316A
Cited
US4240434A
Cited
US4452600A
Cited
US4300557A
Cited
US4464168A
Cited
EP0102747A1
Cited
US4554918A
Cited
US4447224A
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 |