US4787885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrogel seton
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-03-06
•
Granted: 1988-11-29
•
Expires: 2007-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A seton constructed of a hydrogel material is surgically implanted beneath a limbus-based scleral flap and extending into the anterior chamber of the eye in order to alleviate excessive intraocular pressure. Once implanted, the seton permits migration of aqueous to the area beneath the conjunctiva, thereby reducing the intraocular pressure. The material from which the seton is constructed as a material which is biocompatible with the tissue in the eye such as, for example, a hydrogel material having a water content ranging from approximately 30% to approximately 79%.
Inventors
- 👤 Perry S. Binder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00781
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion, said body portion having a cross section which varies from being substantially eliptical to substantially oval, a neck portion extending from said body portion, and a lip portion formed about said neck portion, said seton being made from a biocompatible porous hydrogel material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion, said body portion having a cross section which varies from being substantially eliptical to substantially oval, a neck portion extending from said body portion, and a lip portion formed about said neck portion, said seton being made from a biocompatible porous hydrogel material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A seton as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lip portion is at the end of said neck portion furthest from said body portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A seton as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seton material is a hydrogel material having a water content ranging from approximately 30% to approximately 79%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A seton as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seton has a peripheral edge which is substantially rounded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion, said body portion having a neck portion extending therefrom, a lip portion formed about said neck portion, and a conduit arranged to permit additional aqueous migration extending through said body portion and said neck portion of said seton, said seton being constructed from a biocompatible porous hydrogel material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion, said body portion having a neck portion extending therefrom, a lip portion formed about said neck portion, and a conduit arranged to permit additional aqueous migration extending through said body portion and said neck portion of said seton, said seton being constructed from a biocompatible porous hydrogel material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A seton as set forth in claim 5 wherein said lip portion is formed at the end of said neck portion furthest from said body portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A seton as set forth in claim 5 wherein said seton material is a biocompatible porous hydrogel material having a water content ranging from approximately 30% to approximately 79%.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion which is substantially triangular in shape and having a cross-section which varies from substantially elliptical to substantially oval, a neck portion extending from one corner of said body portion and a lip portion formed about said neck portion, said seton being made from a biocompatible porous hydrogel material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion which is substantially triangular in shape and having a cross-section which varies from substantially elliptical to substantially oval, a neck portion extending from one corner of said body portion and a lip portion formed about said neck portion, said seton being made from a biocompatible porous hydrogel material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A seton as set forth in claim 8 wherein said lip portion is at the end of said neck portion furthest from said body portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A seton as set forth in claim 8 wherein said biocompatible material is a biocompatible porous hydrogel having a water content ranging from approximately 30% to approximately 79%.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A seton as set forth in claim 8 wherein said seton has peripheral edge which is substantially rounded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A seton as set forth in claim 8 wherein said seton is colored to enable easy visualization of the seton while in the eye.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for reducing excessive intra-ocular pressure, the steps comprising creating a limbus-based conjunctival flap and scleral flap by making an incision near the junction between the cornea and the sclera, excising a portion of the cornea, Schhwalbe's line, and the trabecular meshwork by making incisions into the anterior chamber beneath said flap, inserting a first end of a seton beneath said flap, said seton being made from a biocompatible porous hydrogel material, said first end including a lip portion and a second end including a body portion, said lip portion extending about a narrowed portion which extends from said body portion, said lip portion and said body portion being arranged to inhibit extrusion and extraction of said seton from the eye after said seton is implanted, suturing said flap about said seton such that said seton extends radially from the anterior chamber to the space beneath said flap and said second end extends in part from beneath said sutured flap, and covering said flap with conjectiva.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for reducing excessive intra-ocular pressure, the steps comprising creating a limbus-based conjunctival flap and scleral flap by making an incision near the junction between the cornea and the sclera, excising a portion of the cornea, Schhwalbe's line, and the trabecular meshwork by making incisions into the anterior chamber beneath said flap, inserting a first end of a seton beneath said flap, said seton being made from a biocompatible porous hydrogel material, said first end including a lip portion and a second end including a body portion, said lip portion extending about a narrowed portion which extends from said body portion, said lip portion and said body portion being arranged to inhibit extrusion and extraction of said seton from the eye after said seton is implanted, suturing said flap about said seton such that said seton extends radially from the anterior chamber to the space beneath said flap and said second end extends in part from beneath said sutured flap, and covering said flap with conjectiva.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the cross section of a portion of said first end of said seton is larger than said incision so as to maintain the post-operative position of said seton and said second end of said seton is substantially frusto-conical in shape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said second end of said seton is substantially larger in size than said first end of said seton.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 14 wherein said seton has a conduit arranged to permit additional aqueous migration formed therethrough.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as set forth by claim 14 wherein said seton is made from a biocompatible porous hydrogel material having a water content ranging from approximately 30% to approximately 79%.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method as set forth by claim 14 wherein the cross-section of a portion of said first end which is inserted in said incision through the sclera is larger than said incision so as to maintain the position of said seton and said second end of said seton is substantially triangular in shape and having a cross-section which varies from substantially elliptical to substantially oval.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
146 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising, a body portion and a lip portion, said body portion having a first end, said first end having a narrowed portion which is arranged for insertion into the anterior chamber of a human eye, said lip portion being formed on said narrowed portion of said first end of said body portion to inhibit the extrusion of said first end of said seton from the eye when said seton is implanted in the eye and said body portion being of a size larger than said narrowed portion to prevent said seton from being drawn into the eye after said seton is implanted into the eye, said body portion and said lip portion being made from a biocompatible material which inhibits the formation of scar tissue to an extent which would close off the aqueous migration path provided by said seton.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
146 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising, a body portion and a lip portion, said body portion having a first end, said first end having a narrowed portion which is arranged for insertion into the anterior chamber of a human eye, said lip portion being formed on said narrowed portion of said first end of said body portion to inhibit the extrusion of said first end of said seton from the eye when said seton is implanted in the eye and said body portion being of a size larger than said narrowed portion to prevent said seton from being drawn into the eye after said seton is implanted into the eye, said body portion and said lip portion being made from a biocompatible material which inhibits the formation of scar tissue to an extent which would close off the aqueous migration path provided by said seton.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
94 words
A seton for reducing excessive intraocular pressure caused by glaucoma, comprising, a body portion, said body portion being substantially triangular in shape and having a cross section which varies from substantially elliptical to substantially oval, a neck portion extending from said body portion and a lip portion formed about said neck portion at the end of said neck portion farthest from said body portion, said seton being constructed from a biocompatible material which inhibits the formation of scar tissue to an extent which would close off the aqueous migration path provided by said seton.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
94 words
A seton for reducing excessive intraocular pressure caused by glaucoma, comprising, a body portion, said body portion being substantially triangular in shape and having a cross section which varies from substantially elliptical to substantially oval, a neck portion extending from said body portion and a lip portion formed about said neck portion at the end of said neck portion farthest from said body portion, said seton being constructed from a biocompatible material which inhibits the formation of scar tissue to an extent which would close off the aqueous migration path provided by said seton.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
72 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion, said body portion having a cross section which varies from being substantially elliptical to substantially oval, neck portion extending from said body portion, and a lip portion formed about said neck portion, said seton being made from a biocompatible material which inhibits the formation of scar tissue to an extent which would close off the aqueous migration path provided by said seton.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
72 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion, said body portion having a cross section which varies from being substantially elliptical to substantially oval, neck portion extending from said body portion, and a lip portion formed about said neck portion, said seton being made from a biocompatible material which inhibits the formation of scar tissue to an extent which would close off the aqueous migration path provided by said seton.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
A seton as set forth in claim 21 wherein said lip portion is at the end of said neck portion furthest from said body portion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
A seton as set forth in claim 21 wherein said seton material is a hydrogel material having a water content ranging from approximately 30% to approximately 79%.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
A seton as set forth in claim 21 wherein said seton has a peripheral edge which is substantially rounded.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
108 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion, said body portion having a neck portion extending therefrom, said body portion being of a size larger than said neck portion to prevent said seton from being drawn into the eye after said seton is implanted into the eye, a lip portion formed about said neck portion, and a conduit arranged to permit additional aqueous migration extending through said body portion and said neck portion of said seton, said seton being constructed from a biocompatible material which inhibits the formation of scar tissue to an extent which would close off the aqueous migration path provided by said seton.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
108 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion, said body portion having a neck portion extending therefrom, said body portion being of a size larger than said neck portion to prevent said seton from being drawn into the eye after said seton is implanted into the eye, a lip portion formed about said neck portion, and a conduit arranged to permit additional aqueous migration extending through said body portion and said neck portion of said seton, said seton being constructed from a biocompatible material which inhibits the formation of scar tissue to an extent which would close off the aqueous migration path provided by said seton.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A seton as set forth in claim 25 wherein said lip portion is formed at the end of said neck portion furthest from said body portion.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
A seton as set forth in claim 25 wherein said seton material is a hydrogel material having a water content ranging from approximately 30% to approximately 79%.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
74 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion which is substantially triangular in shape and having a cross-section which varies from substantially elliptical to substantially oval, a neck portion extending from one corner of said body portion and a lip portion formed about said neck portion, said seton being made from a biocompatible material which inhibits the formation of scar tissue to an extent which would close off the aqueous migration path.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
74 words
A seton for relieving intraocular pressure comprising a body portion which is substantially triangular in shape and having a cross-section which varies from substantially elliptical to substantially oval, a neck portion extending from one corner of said body portion and a lip portion formed about said neck portion, said seton being made from a biocompatible material which inhibits the formation of scar tissue to an extent which would close off the aqueous migration path.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
A seton as set forth in claim 28 wherein said lip portion is at the end of said neck portion furthest from said body portion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
A seton as set forth in claim 28 wherein said biocompatible material is a hydrogel having a water content ranging from approximately 30% to approximately 79%.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
A seton as set forth in claim 28 wherein said seton has a peripheral edge which is substantially rounded.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
A seton as set forth in claim 28 wherein said seton is colored to enable easy visualization of the seton while in the eye.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for reducing excessive intraocular pressure, the steps comprising, creating a limbus-based conjunctival flap and scleral flap by making an incision near the junction between the cornea and the sclera, excising a portion of the cornea, Schwalbe's line and the trabecular meshwork by making incisions into the anterior chamber beneath said flap, inserting a first end of a seton beneath said flap, said seton being made from a biocompatible material which inhibits the formation of scar tissue to an extent which would close off the aqueous migration path provided by said seton, said first end including a lip portion and a second end including a body portion said lip portion extending about a narrowed portion which extends from said body portion, said lip portion and said body portion are arranged to inhibit extrusion and extraction of said seton from the eye after said seton is implanted and, suturing said flap about said seton such that said seton extends radially from the anterior chamber to the space beneath said flap and said second end extends in part from beneath said sutured flap, and covering said flap with conjunctiva.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for reducing excessive intraocular pressure, the steps comprising, creating a limbus-based conjunctival flap and scleral flap by making an incision near the junction between the cornea and the sclera, excising a portion of the cornea, Schwalbe's line and the trabecular meshwork by making incisions into the anterior chamber beneath said flap, inserting a first end of a seton beneath said flap, said seton being made from a biocompatible material which inhibits the formation of scar tissue to an extent which would close off the aqueous migration path provided by said seton, said first end including a lip portion and a second end including a body portion said lip portion extending about a narrowed portion which extends from said body portion, said lip portion and said body portion are arranged to inhibit extrusion and extraction of said seton from the eye after said seton is implanted and, suturing said flap about said seton such that said seton extends radially from the anterior chamber to the space beneath said flap and said second end extends in part from beneath said sutured flap, and covering said flap with conjunctiva.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as set forth in claim 33, wherein the cross section of a portion of said first end of said seton is larger than said incision so as to maintain the post-operative position of said seton and said second end of said seton is substantially frusto-conical in shape.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 33 wherein said second end of said seton is substantially larger in size than said first end of said seton.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 34 wherein said seton has a conduit arranged to permit additional aqueous migration formed therethrough.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth by claim 34 wherein said seton is made from a hyrogel material having a water content ranging from approximately 30% to approximately 79%.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method as set forth by claim 34 wherein the cross-section of a portion of said first end which is inserted in said incision through the sclera is larger than said incision so as to maintain the position of said seton and said second end of said seton is substantially triangular in shape and having a cross-section which varies from substantially elliptical to substantially oval.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-29 | 1992-05-30 | 1992-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-29 | 1996-05-30 | 1996-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-29 | 2000-05-30 | 2000-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |