Insertion tool for ocular implant and method for using same
First Claim
1. An insertion tool for use with implants for ophthalmic and non-ophthalmic applications, comprising:
- a handle body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a substantially cylindrical housing extending along a longitudinal axis between said distal and proximal ends of said handle body, said cylindrical housing defining a chamber therein and having at least one opening accessing said chamber, said chamber open at said distal end of said handle body;
a movable cartridge disposed in said chamber for longitudinal movement between a shunt securing position and a shunt releasing position with respect to said handle body, said cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said cartridge securing a shunt when said cartridge is in said shunt securing position and releasing said shunt when said cartridge is in said shunt releasing position; and
a cartridge positioning mechanism slidably mounted along an outer surface of said handle body and engaged with said cartridge via said opening accessing said chamber for moving said cartridge from between said shunt securing position and said shunt releasing position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An insertion tool containing an elastomeric band, ejection pin and cartridge assembly for holding a transcornea shunt during insertion procedures. The proximal flange of the shunt is gently held in a visible position within an adjustable opening in the elastomeric band at the distal end of the ejection pin. A slide mechanism is provided along the exterior surface of the insertion tool to drive the cartridge assembly which applies tension to the elastomeric band, increasing the opening diameter securing the shunt and allowing gentle release of the shunt when desired. Alternative embodiments of the insertion tool utilize severable fibers, a transparent split-mylar sheet or diaphragm, a cantilever fork, a collet assembly or an elastomeric grip collet to gently hold and release the shunt during insertion.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An insertion tool for use with implants for ophthalmic and non-ophthalmic applications, comprising:
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a handle body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a substantially cylindrical housing extending along a longitudinal axis between said distal and proximal ends of said handle body, said cylindrical housing defining a chamber therein and having at least one opening accessing said chamber, said chamber open at said distal end of said handle body;
a movable cartridge disposed in said chamber for longitudinal movement between a shunt securing position and a shunt releasing position with respect to said handle body, said cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end of said cartridge securing a shunt when said cartridge is in said shunt securing position and releasing said shunt when said cartridge is in said shunt releasing position; and
a cartridge positioning mechanism slidably mounted along an outer surface of said handle body and engaged with said cartridge via said opening accessing said chamber for moving said cartridge from between said shunt securing position and said shunt releasing position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An insertion cartridge for use with implants for ophthalmic and non-ophthalmic applications, wherein said cartridge comprises:
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a cartridge body having a substantially cylindrical housing extending along a longitudinal axis between said distal and proximal ends of said cartridge;
an ejection pin, disposed within said cartridge body and having a distal and proximal end, said ejection pin remaining in a stationary position during longitudinal movement of said cartridge body; and
an elastomeric band, having at least one opening of an adjustable diameter and being disposed over said distal end of said ejection pin, said opening securing a shunt against said distal end of said ejection pin when said cartridge body is in said shunt securing position and releasing said shunt when said cartridge body is in said shunt releasing position. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for releasably securing and installing an implant in ophthalmic and non-ophthalmic applications, the method comprising:
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releasably securing a proximal portion of an implant to a handle body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a substantially cylindrical portion extending along a longitudinal axis between said distal and proximal ends of said handle body, said releasably securing of said proximal portion of said implant leaving said distal portion of said implant visible to a user;
positioning said implant within an implant location, said positioning effectively disposing said distal portion of said implant within said implant location and said releasable securing of said proximal portion of said implant allowing control of said implant during and after said positioning of said implant within said implant location; and
releasing said proximal portion of said implant. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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Specification