System for packaging and handling an implant and method of use

• US 20030070944A1
• Filed: 11/08/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ReVision Optics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IntraLens Vision, Inc.
• Inventors: Nigam, Alok
• Granted Patent: US 6,824,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/210
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/14 Eye parts, e.g. lenses, corneal implants; Implanting instruments specially adapted therefor; Artificial eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/148 Implantation instruments specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery

Abstract

A system designed to store an implant together with the tools necessary to implant the stored implant, and a method of using said system. Such system includes an implant storage tool adapted to retain the implant within a storage container. The implant storage tool is operable to provide an implant applicator.

Claims

1. An implant packaging and handling system, comprising:

(a) a vessel having an opening to receive a volume of storage fluid therein;

(b) a vessel stop member contoured to seal said vessel opening;

(c) an implant holder adapted to hold an implant in fluid communication with the storage fluid.

2. The system claimed in claim 1, wherein said implant holder is detachably connected to said vessel stop member.

3. The system claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the surface of said implant holder comprises at least one opening, said opening providing fluid communication between the storage fluid and the implant.

4. The system claimed in claim 1, further including a locking device adapted to secure said vessel stop member in said vessel opening.

5. The system claimed in claim 1, wherein said implant holder comprises a retaining member detachably mounted to an applicator, wherein said retaining member and applicator define an enclosure adapted to hold the implant.

6. The system claimed in claim 5, wherein said applicator has a surface contoured to hold the implant in a substantially planar position.

7. The system claimed in claim 6, wherein at least a portion of said applicator surface is recessed.

8. The system claimed in claim 7, wherein said recessed surface defines a circular recess.

9. The system claimed in claim 8, wherein said circular recess has a circumference at least as great as the circumference of a circular implant.

10. The system claimed in claim 6, wherein at least a portion of said applicator surface is arcuate shaped.

11. The system claimed in claim 1, wherein said implant holder is adapted to be connected to a handle.

12. An implant packaging and handling system, comprising:

(a) a vessel having an opening to receive a volume of storage fluid therein;

(b) a vessel stop member contoured to seal said vessel opening;

(c) an implant holder comprising an applicator having a first end detachably connected to said vessel stop member, and a second end distal to said vessel stop member, said applicator second end adapted to detachably engage a retaining member, said engaged applicator and retaining member defining an enclosure adapted to hold an implant in fluid communication with the storage fluid.

13. The system claimed in claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the surface of said implant holder comprises at least one opening, said opening providing fluid communication between the storage fluid and the implant.

14. The system claimed in claim 12, further including a locking device securing said vessel stop member in said vessel opening.

15. The system claimed in claim 12, wherein said applicator first end is adapted to be connected to a handle.

17. A tool claimed in claim 15, further including a handle for detachably connecting to said implant applicator tool.

16. An implant applicator tool, comprising:

(a) an applicator first end adapted to detachably connect to a handle;

(b) an applicator second end having a surface contoured to hold an implant in a substantially planar position; and

,

(c) at least a portion of said surface having a plurality of openings therethrough.

18. The tool claimed in claim 16, wherein at least a portion of said applicator surface is arcuate shaped.

19. The tool claimed in claim 16, wherein said implant applicator has a recessed surface adapted to hold the implant in a planar position.

20. The tool claimed in claim 19, wherein said recessed surface defines a circular recess.

21. The tool claimed in claim 20, wherein said circular recess has a circumference at least as great as the circumference of a circular implant.

22. The tool claimed in claim 16, further including a retaining member, said retaining member adapted to detachably engage said implant applicator so as to define an enclosure to retain an implant.

23. The tool claimed in claim 22, wherein said retaining member has one or more engagement tabs projecting from said retaining member, said applicator having tab engagement slots correspondingly aligned to receive said retaining member engagement tabs.

24. An implant packaging and handling system, comprising:

(a) a vessel having an opening to receive a volume of fluid therein;

(b) a vessel stop member contoured to seal said vessel opening;

(c) an implant holder comprising an applicator having a first end detachably connected to said vessel stop member, and a second end distal to said vessel stop member, said applicator second end adapted to detachably engage a retaining member, said engaged applicator and retaining member defining an enclosure adapted to hold an implant;

(d) at least a portion of the surface of said implant holder having a plurality of openings providing fluid communication between the implant and the storage fluid in said vessel; and

,

(e) a handle, said handle adapted to connect to said first end of said applicator.

25. The system claimed in claim 24, wherein said retaining member has one or more engagement tabs projecting from said retaining member, said applicator having tab engagement slots aligned to receive said retaining member engagement tabs.

26. The system claimed in claim 24, wherein said applicator has a surface contoured to hold the implant in a substantially planar position.

27. The system claimed in claim 26, wherein said applicator surface has a second recessed surface.

28. The system claimed in claim 27, wherein said second recessed surface defines a circular recess having a circumference at least as great as the circumference of a circular implant.

29. An implant packaging and handling system, comprising:

(a) a vessel having an opening to receive a volume of storage fluid therein;

(b) an implant holder adapted to hold an implant in fluid communication with the storage fluid; and

,

(c) a vessel stop member contoured to seal said vessel opening, said vessel stop member operable to detachably secure said implant holder.

30. The system claimed in claim 29, wherein said vessel stop member is adapted to change in conformation in response to removal from said vessel opening, wherein said change in shape is operable to release said stop members hold on said implant holder.

31. The system claimed in claim 30, wherein vessel stop member comprises a plug portion defining an integral implant holder engagement slot adapted to receive said implant holder, said engagement slot is operable to hold said implant holder when plug portion is inserted into said vessel opening, and release said implant holder when plug portion is removed from said vessel opening.

32. A method of implanting an implant to the cornea surface, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an implant applicator having an applicator surface contoured to hold the implant in a substantially planar position;

(b) positioning said applicator surface horizontal to the cornea surface so as to rest the implant against the cornea surface; and

,

(c) depositing the implant in a planar position on the cornea surface by lifting the implant applicator away from the cornea surface.

33. A method of implanting an implant to the cornea surface, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an implant applicator, said implant applicator having an applicator surface contoured to hold an implant in a substantially planar position, said applicator surface defining a plurality of openings therethrough;

(b) positioning said applicator surface horizontal to the cornea surface so as to rest the implant against the cornea surface; and

,

(c) depositing the implant in a planar position on the cornea surface by lifting the implant applicator away from the cornea surface while imparting force against the implant through at least one of said openings such that the implant is separated from said implant applicator surface.

34. A method of implanting an implant to the cornea surface, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an implant holder, said implant holder comprising an applicator detachably engaged to a retaining member such that said engaged applicator and retaining member define an enclosure adapted to hold an implant;

(b) detaching said retaining member from said applicator so as to provide the implant for implantation, said applicator having an implant applicator surface contoured to hold the implant in an substantially planar position;

(c) positioning said implant applicator surface horizontal to the cornea surface so as to rest the implant against the cornea surface; and

,

(d) depositing the implant in a planar position on the cornea surface by lifting said implant applicator away from the cornea surface.

35. The method claimed in claim 34, further comprising the step of depositing the implant on the cornea surface by imparting force against the implant through at least one said openings such that the implant is separated from said implant applicator surface.