US5025811A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for focal destruction of eye tissue by electroablation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-02-16
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Granted: 1991-06-25
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Expires: 2010-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A non-invasive method for focal transcleral destruction of living human eye tissue. The method includes providing a conical-shaped probe, filled with a neutral saline solution and having inserted therein an electrode connected to the positive terminal of a constant current supply. The narrow aperture ends of the probe is lowered onto the conjunctiva overlying the target tissue, in about 20-30 locations with a current in the range from about 3.0-4.0 milliamps for about 30 seconds to 5 minutes at each location.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Dobrogowski
- 👤 Mark A. Latina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00781; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1266; A61F9/0079; A61M; A61M3/00; A61M3/02; A61M3/0279
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A non-invasive method for focal non-invasive transcleral destruction of living human eye tissue, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a hollow probe having a distal end and a proximal end; and, at said distal end a first aperture to receive a conductive electrode and means for filling said probe with a neutral solution; and, at said proximal end a second aperture of predetermined diameter; (b) connecting said conductive electrode to a constant current supply having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; (c) filling said probe with a neutral solution using said filling means; (d) adjusting said constant current supply to a current in the range of between about 1.5 milliamps to about 8.0 milliamps; (e) repeated placement of said proximal end of said probe onto a scleral surface of a human eye proximate to target eye tissue at a plurality of locations; and (f) each of said placement remains for a predetermined duration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A non-invasive method for focal non-invasive transcleral destruction of living human eye tissue, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a hollow probe having a distal end and a proximal end; and, at said distal end a first aperture to receive a conductive electrode and means for filling said probe with a neutral solution; and, at said proximal end a second aperture of predetermined diameter; (b) connecting said conductive electrode to a constant current supply having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; (c) filling said probe with a neutral solution using said filling means; (d) adjusting said constant current supply to a current in the range of between about 1.5 milliamps to about 8.0 milliamps; (e) repeated placement of said proximal end of said probe onto a scleral surface of a human eye proximate to target eye tissue at a plurality of locations; and (f) each of said placement remains for a predetermined duration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of avoiding said probe placement on said human eye at 3 O'clock and 9 O'clock positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said plurality of locations of said probe is in the range of from about 20 to 30 times.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said neutral solution is a saline solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said saline solution is a balanced salt solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 for treatment of intraocular pressure wherein said target eye tissue is a ciliary body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 6 wherein: said duration of each probe placement is in the range of about 30 seconds to about 90 seconds; and said probe is placed in a predetermined location on said living eye overlying said ciliary body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said duration of each placement of said probe onto said scleral surface is in the range of from about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of connecting said conductive electrode to said positive terminal of said constant current supply and connecting said negative terminal to a ground.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) further comprises filling said probe using a syringe as said filling means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) further comprises providing constant flow of said neutral solution through said probe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the diameter of said second aperture is in the range of from about 200 micrometers to 2000 micrometers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the diameter of said second aperture is in the range of from about 300 microns to about 600 microns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said current is from about 3.0 milliamps to about 4.0 milliamps.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said target eye tissue is a retina.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4449528A
Cited
US4564016A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-24 | 1994-12-24 | 1995-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-24 | 1998-12-24 | 1999-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-24 | 2002-12-24 | 2003-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |