Ophthalmic treatment apparatus

• US 20050177019A1
• Filed: 03/08/2005
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eugene Dejuan Jr, Paul Hallen
• Original Assignee: Eugene Dejuan Jr, Paul Hallen
• Inventors: DeJuan, Eugene Jr., Hallen, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,276,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1089 Electrons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1017 Treatment of the eye, e.g. for "macular degeneration"

Abstract

A surgical device for localized delivery of beta radiation in surgical procedures, particularly ophthalmic procedures. Preferred surgical devices include a cannula with a beta radiotherapy emitting material at the distal end of the cannula. The surgical device is particularly suitable for use in the treatment of treat Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Claims

1-42. -42. (canceled)

43. An ophthalmic surgical device, comprising:

a cannula having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said cannula adapted for being inserted into a human eye;

a radiotherapy emitting material disposed in proximity to the distal end portion of the cannula; and

a shield at least partially shielding the radiotherapy emitting material.

44. The device of claim 43 wherein the distal end portion of the cannula is tapered.

45. The device of claim 43 wherein the shield and the radiotherapy emitting material are relatively moveable.

46. The device of claim 43 wherein the cannula comprises a diameter of about 0.6 mm to about 1.2 mm.

47. The device of claim 43 wherein the cannula comprises a length of about 28 mm to about 32 mm.

48. The device of claim 43 wherein the cannula includes a curve to provide access to the macula.

49. The device of claim 43 wherein the distal end portion of the cannula comprises the shield.

50. The device of claim 43 wherein the shield comprises metal.

51. The device of claim 43 wherein the shield at least partially shields the radiotherapy emitting material so that the radiotherapy emitting material is exposed to only a selected localized area of the eye.

52. The device of claim 51 wherein the selected localized area comprises sub-retinal tissue.

53. The device of claim 52 wherein the sub-retinal tissue comprises blood vessels.

54. The device of claim 43 wherein the radiotherapy emitting material has an energy sufficient to provide a dose rate from between about 50 cGy/sec to about 100 cGy/sec.

55. The device of claim 43 wherein the radiotherapy emitting material comprises a beta radiation emitter.

56. The device of claim 43 wherein the radiotherapy emitting material comprises a pure beta emitting therapeutic component.

57. The device of claim 43 wherein the radiotherapy emitting material has sufficient energy to treat neovascularization.

58. The device of claim 43 wherein the radiotherapy emitting material has a length between about 2 mm and about 3 mm.

60. The device of claim 43 wherein the radiotherapy emitting material is disposed within the distal end portion of the cannula.

61. The device of claim 50 wherein the metal comprises stainless steel.

59. An ophthalmic surgical device for treating macular degeneration, comprising:

a handle;

a cannula including a proximal end and a distal end;

a radiotherapy emitting material located in proximity to the distal end of the cannula; and

a shield at least partially shielding the radiotherapy emitting material so that the radiotherapy emitting material is only exposed to a selected area within the eye.

62. The device of claim 59 wherein the radiotherapy emitting material is disposed in the distal end of the cannula.

63. The device of claim 59 wherein the selected area comprises sub-retinal tissue.

64. The device of claim 63 wherein the sub-retinal tissue comprises blood vessels.

65. The device of claim 59 wherein the radiotherapy emitting material has an energy sufficient to provide a dose rate from between about 50 cGy/sec to about 100 cGy/sec.

66. The device of claim 59 wherein the radiotherapy emitting material comprises a beta radiation emitter.

67. The device of claim 59 wherein the radiotherapy emitting material comprises a pure beta emitting therapeutic component.

68. The device of claim 59 wherein the radiotherapy emitting material has sufficient energy to treat neovascularization.

69. The device of claim 59 wherein the radiotherapy emitting material and the shield are relatively moveable.