Patent US5433714A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5433714A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Topical anesthesia method for eye surgery, and applicator therefor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-04-27
•
Granted: 1995-07-18
•
Expires: 2013-04-27
Abstract
Abstract An applicator is disclosed for use in anesthetizing the eye prior to surgery, such as anterior segment surgery. The applicator includes an annular wall which defines an opening sufficiently large to expose the cornea of an eye. The applicator is made from a porous, absorbent material capable of absorbing a topical anesthetic. A method for using such an applicator is also provided. The method includes the steps of positioning the applicator upon the eye such that the wall substantially conforms to the surface configuration of the eye while substantially entirely exposing the cornea portion of the eye through the opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Leroy Bloomberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/0008; A61F9/0017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of performing a surgical procedure upon the eye, comprising: providing a porous, absorbent body containing an effective amount of anesthetic agent and having an opening extending therethrough; applying said body to an eye such that the cornea and limbus of said eye are entirely exposed by said opening and an effective amount of anesthetic agent is provided to the area of the eye immediately surrounding the cornea and limbus by said body, and making an incision within the eye.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of performing a surgical procedure upon the eye, comprising: providing a porous, absorbent body containing an effective amount of anesthetic agent and having an opening extending therethrough; applying said body to an eye such that the cornea and limbus of said eye are entirely exposed by said opening and an effective amount of anesthetic agent is provided to the area of the eye immediately surrounding the cornea and limbus by said body, and making an incision within the eye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as described in claim 1, including the step of removing the body from the eye prior to making the incision.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as described in claim 1, including the step of irrigating the eye through the opening in the body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as described in claim 1, wherein the body is applied to the eye such that the body substantially conforms to the surface configuration of the eye.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as described in claim 1, including the step of soaking the body in a topical anesthetic agent prior to applying the body to the eye.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as described in claim 5, wherein the body is applied to the eye such that the body substantially conforms to the surface configuration of the eye.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as described in claim 1, wherein said body has a substantially ring-shaped configuration having an outside diameter of about eighteen millimeters and wherein said body is applied to the eye such that the opening is centered with respect to the cornea.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as described in claim 6, including the steps of dilating the pupil and applying the body to the eye such that the dilated pupil is substantially fully exposed by the opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as described in claim 8, including the step of soaking the body in a topical anesthetic agent prior to applying the body to the eye.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of applying a topical anesthetic agent to the eye for a surgical procedure therein, comprising: providing a porous, absorbent body having an at least generally annular wall defining an opening extending therethrough, the dimensions of the wall being such that the wall may be positioned in its entirety upon the eye, the dimensions of the opening being such that the cornea and limbus of the eye may be entirely exposed by the opening; causing the body to absorb a topical anesthetic agent; applying the body to the eye such that the wall of the body substantially conforms to the surface configuration of the eye, the cornea and limbus are entirely exposed by the opening, and the area immediately surrounding the cornea and limbus is covered by the body, and allowing the body to remain upon the eye such that an effective amount of anesthetic agent is provided to the area of the eye immediately surrounding the cornea and limbus.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of applying a topical anesthetic agent to the eye for a surgical procedure therein, comprising: providing a porous, absorbent body having an at least generally annular wall defining an opening extending therethrough, the dimensions of the wall being such that the wall may be positioned in its entirety upon the eye, the dimensions of the opening being such that the cornea and limbus of the eye may be entirely exposed by the opening; causing the body to absorb a topical anesthetic agent; applying the body to the eye such that the wall of the body substantially conforms to the surface configuration of the eye, the cornea and limbus are entirely exposed by the opening, and the area immediately surrounding the cornea and limbus is covered by the body, and allowing the body to remain upon the eye such that an effective amount of anesthetic agent is provided to the area of the eye immediately surrounding the cornea and limbus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as described in claim 10, including the step of irrigating the eye through the opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as described in claim 10, wherein the wall has a substantially uniform thickness between 1-3 mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as described in claim 10, wherein the step of causing the body to absorb a topical anesthetic agent includes soaking the body in the topical anesthetic agent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as described in claim 13, wherein the opening is substantially circular and is larger in diameter than the limbus of the eye, including the step of applying the body to the eye such that the cornea is centered with respect to the opening.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as described in claim 10, wherein the opening has a diameter of about 14 mm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as described in claim 15, wherein the wall has a substantially uniform width of between about 3-6 mm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as described in claim 15, wherein the wall has a width of about 4 mm.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of performing a surgical procedure upon the eye, comprising: providing a substantially ring-shaped absorbent body made from polyvinyl alcohol, said body including an opening of at least about thirteen millimeters such that the cornea and limbus of the eye can be entirely exposed upon placement of said body upon the eye; wetting said body with a topical anesthetic; applying said body to the eye such that the cornea and limbus are entirely exposed by said opening and an effective amount of anesthetic agent is provided to the area of the eye immediately surrounding the cornea and limbus, and making an incision within the eye.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of performing a surgical procedure upon the eye, comprising: providing a substantially ring-shaped absorbent body made from polyvinyl alcohol, said body including an opening of at least about thirteen millimeters such that the cornea and limbus of the eye can be entirely exposed upon placement of said body upon the eye; wetting said body with a topical anesthetic; applying said body to the eye such that the cornea and limbus are entirely exposed by said opening and an effective amount of anesthetic agent is provided to the area of the eye immediately surrounding the cornea and limbus, and making an incision within the eye.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as described in claim 18 including the step of removing said body prior to making said incision.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as described in claim 18 wherein said incision is part of a surgical procedure, including the step of leaving said body in place upon the eye during said surgical procedure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-17 | 1999-01-16 | 1999-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-17 | 2003-01-16 | 2003-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-17 | 2007-01-16 | 2007-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |