Patent US5090955A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5090955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Gel injection adjustable keratoplasty
Assignee: MIAMI A CORP OF FL, University of
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Filing: 1990-07-12
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Granted: 1992-02-25
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Expires: 2010-07-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a surgical technique that allows for subtle modification of the corneal curvature by interlamellar injection of a synthetic gel at the corneal periphery while sparing the optical zone. The gel viscosity, volume and disposition within the surgical annular track as well as the diameter of the track, width, depth, and location are all parameters in the refractive change obtained. Following ultrasonic pachymetry performed centrally and at a selected wound entrance located about 2.5 to 3.5 mm from the apex, a one millimeter or so wide, about 75-85% corneal thickness depth radial incision is performed with a micrometric diamond knife adjusted to about 86% corneal thickness. Inserted through the partial-depth incision, a corkscrew-like dissector or helicoidal spatula forms a 360° annular track centered about the apex. Shaped like the dissector, a modified 30 gauge needle is fully inserted in the intralamellar track and a transparent gel is manually injected while retracting the needle, thus filling the annular channel. Using a surgical keratometer mounted to an operation microscope, the final corneal power is adjusted by massaging and removing the gel as necessary.
Inventors
- 👤 Gabriel Simon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:05
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J3/00; C08J3/28; A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/147; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/013; A61F9/0133; C08G; C08G65/00; C08G65/02; C08G65/30; C08G65/32; C08J2371/00; C08J2371/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A process for altering the radius of curvature of the central corneal region comprising: making a radial incision through a portion of the corneal thickness at a predetermined location radially spaced from the center of the cornea; inserting a device for delaminarizing a portion of the cornea in an arc-shaped path beginning at said predetermined radial location, so that said arc-shaped path is spaced from the center of the cornea, to define a completely covered intrastromal tunnel by delaminarizing to displace corneal tissue without removing that corneal tissue and without delaminarizing the enter of the cornea; and injecting a biocompatible, deformable, viscous gel into said tunnel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for altering the radius of curvature of the central corneal region comprising: making a radial incision through a portion of the corneal thickness at a predetermined location radially spaced from the center of the cornea; inserting a device for delaminarizing a portion of the cornea in an arc-shaped path beginning at said predetermined radial location, so that said arc-shaped path is spaced from the center of the cornea, to define a completely covered intrastromal tunnel by delaminarizing to displace corneal tissue without removing that corneal tissue and without delaminarizing the enter of the cornea; and injecting a biocompatible, deformable, viscous gel into said tunnel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as in claim 1, wherein said radial incision is of between about 75% and about 85% of the corneal thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as in claim 1, wherein said step of making a radial incision comprises making a radial incision of between about 0.4 and 1 mm in length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as in claim 1, wherein said step of delaminarizing comprises inserting a helicoidal spatula as a cork screw delaminator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as in claim 4, wherein an annular tunnel is delaminated by said helicoidal spatula, said annular tunnel beginning and ending on opposite sides of said incision.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as in claim 1, wherein a blunt-tipped probe is inserted into said incision to delaminarize the cornea adjacent the incision.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as in claim 4, wherein a shoehorn-like instrument is inserted through said incision so as to facilitate insertion of said helicoidal spatula.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as in claim 1, wherein a needle is inserted into said tunnel and said gel is injected through said needle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as in claim 8, wherein said needle is retracted during said injection process so as to distribute gel throughout said tunnel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process as in claim 9, wherein said needle is helicoidal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as in claim 1, further comprising removing a portion of said gel to adjust the final curvature of the central corneal region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as in claim 1, wherein a diamond head knife is utilized for making said incision.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as in claim 1, wherein a knife equipped with a micrometer is utilized for making said incision.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as in claim 1, further comprising measuring said corneal thickness prior to said incising step.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claim 14, wherein the corneal thickness is measured with a ultrasonic pachymeter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as in claim 1, wherein a caliper is used for marking an incision site a predetermined distance from said center of the cornea.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process as in claim 1, wherein a step of delaminarizing comprises inserting a stromal delaminator through said incision so as to define an arcuate tunnel having an arc length of about 90°.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
A process as in claim 17, wherein first and second arcuate tunnels are formed by making first and second radial incisions radially spaced from the center of the cornea and inserting said stromal delaminator through each said incision so as to define a pair of arcuate tunnels each having an arc length of approximately 90° and wherein said step of injecting comprises injecting a biocompatible gel into each said arcuate tunnel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process as in claim 1, further comprising applying a collagen gel to an upper surface of said incision and cross linking said gel with ultraviolet radiation so as to close said incision.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for altering the radius of curvature of the central corneal region comprising: making a radial incision through a portion of the corneal thickness at a predetermined location radially spaced from the corneal center; inserting a helicoidal spatula as a cork screw delaminator for delaminarizing a portion of the cornea in an arc-shaped path at said predetermined radial location to define a channel; and injecting a biocompatible gel into said channel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for altering the radius of curvature of the central corneal region comprising: making a radial incision through a portion of the corneal thickness at a predetermined location radially spaced from the corneal center; inserting a helicoidal spatula as a cork screw delaminator for delaminarizing a portion of the cornea in an arc-shaped path at said predetermined radial location to define a channel; and injecting a biocompatible gel into said channel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
82 words
A process for altering the radius of curvature of the central corneal region comprising: making first and second radial incisions through a portion of the corneal thickness at predetermined locations radially spaced from the corneal center; inserting a stromal delaminator for delaminarizing a portion of the cornea in an arc-shaped path at each said predetermined radial location to define a pair of arcuate channels each having an arc length of approximately 90°; and injecting a biocompatible gel into each said arcuate channel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
82 words
A process for altering the radius of curvature of the central corneal region comprising: making first and second radial incisions through a portion of the corneal thickness at predetermined locations radially spaced from the corneal center; inserting a stromal delaminator for delaminarizing a portion of the cornea in an arc-shaped path at each said predetermined radial location to define a pair of arcuate channels each having an arc length of approximately 90°; and injecting a biocompatible gel into each said arcuate channel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-24 | 1995-08-26 | 1996-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-24 | 1999-08-26 | 2000-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-24 | 2003-08-26 | 2004-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |