Iovision, Inc.

Innovative Surgical Products, Inc.

Other

George M Wright

Larry W Blake

George Baerveldt

Duane R Mason

Ervin R Harvel

Thomas D Talcott

An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is elliptical in-shape and curved so as to conform to the curvature of the eye. The plate is inserted into the eye in an incision made in the Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the Tenon's capsule and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing patent fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate. The flexible structure of the plate allows the plate to be easily inserted, thus reducing the surgical procedure length. In addition, the pliable material minimizes the risk of damage and trauma to surrounding tissues in the insertion process.

Glaucoma implant

An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is elliptical in shape and curved so as to conform to the curvature of the eye. At least one hole is made in the plate to facilitate the formation of a tethered scar tissue bubble, referred to a bleb, to form around the carrier plate. The scar tissue will grow through the hole or holes and pull the perimeter of the bubble towards the carrier plate at the hole locations to tether the formation of the bleb to the carrier plate and finally to the sclera tissue. The plate is inserted into the eye in an incision made in the Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the Tenon's capsule and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing patent fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate. The flexible structure of the plate allows the plate to be easily inserted, thus reducing the surgical procedure length. In addition, the pliable material minimizes the risk of damage and trauma to surrounding tissues in the insertion process.

An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is elliptical in shape and curved so as to conform to the curvature of the eye. The plate is inserted into the eye in an incision made in the Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the Tenon's capsule and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing patent fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate. The flexible structure of the plate allows the plate to be easily inserted, thus reducing the surgical procedure length. In addition, the pliable material minimizes th risk of damage and trauma to surrounding tissues in the insertion process.

A pinch valve device is disclosed for a disposable, inexpensive irrigation/aspiration handpiece system used for the removal of unwanted material in a very small, enclosed operative site in which it is important to maintain pressure within a certain range, such as in the surgical operation for removal of a cataract lens from the human eye. The device includes a foot pedal for selectively: (1) restricting the flow of irrigation and aspiration fluid in the handpiece system; (2) permitting irrigation by the handpiece system, without permitting concurrent aspiration by the handpiece system; (3) permitting both irrigation and aspiration by the handpiece system; and (4) providing selective increase in aspiration force.

Foot actuated pinch valve and high vacuum source for

In a method of treating defective lenses in the eye, the natural lens is removed leaving the lens capsule intact. A curable liquid composition comprising (a) a crosslinkable siloxane polymer, (b) a crosslinker, and (c) a crosslinking catalyst is injected into the lens capsule where the composition cures at body temperature to a solid, transparent synthetic lens which remains clear in the presence of physiological fluids.

Correction of defects in the eye and compositions therefor

In the replacement of the lens of an eye, the lens is removed from its natural capsule to leave the capsule intact and a curable polymer composition is injected into the lens capsule where the composition cures to form in sitre a solid, synthetic lens which is optically clear and allows the eye to function.

A flexible, compressible reservoir draws a substantially constant vacuum to permit uniform removal of fluid from a surgical incision through a wound drain catheter. The reservoir includes a compression spring interposed between a pair of congruent articulated plates. The spring provides biasing force to expand the reservoir and create a vacuum therein. Each of the articulated plates has a central member hinged on opposite sides to wing members. As the reservoir expands, the wing members pivot relative to the central members to decrease the effective area to which the spring force is applied. Such decrease in the effective area permits the spring force per unit of area to remain more nearly constant, and thus, reduces changes in reservoir vacuum.

Surgical fluid evacuator

The wound drain catheter of the present invention is comprised of a drain portion connected to an outflow tube portion. The drain portion comprises a central core with plural T-shaped members projecting therefrom to form plural lumens having respective longitudinal grooves for fluid communication with the wound. This drain has a uniform cross-sectional area and is preferably made from a silicone elastomer having a durometer shore between 40 and 70 shore A. Such uniform cross-sectional area provides added strength to prevent the drain from breaking during its removal from the patient's body, and the silicone elastomer provides sufficient elasticity to permit the cross-sectional area of the drain to decrease by at least 30 percent when a pulling force is applied thereto, thereby reducing the gripping force of tissue surrounding the wound.

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Mission Viejo, CA, United States of America

George M Wright