Combined epithelial delaminator and inserter
First Claim
1. An ocular device applicator for introducing an ocular device beneath a corneal epithelium comprising:
- an edge configured to mechanically separate a layer of the corneal epithelium from a cornea while maintaining the epithelial layer in at least partial attachment to the cornea; and
an ocular device holder configured to place the ocular device beneath the layer of the corneal epithelium upon the cornea, and to hold the ocular device with the applicator until such placement.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ocular device applicator that is a combined delaminating and inserting device configured to partially delaminate the corneal epithelium and to place a corrective ocular device onto the delaminated cornea under the partially delaminated epithelium. The ocular device applicator leaves at least a portion of the delaminated corneal epithelium attached to the cornea. The ocular device applicator comprises an edge and an ocular device holder. In some versions an ocular device may be secured in and/or released from the device by force applied in the holder, or by a releasable adhesive. The ocular device applicator may be oscillated to facilitate delamination of the corneal epithelium and placement of an ocular device.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. An ocular device applicator for introducing an ocular device beneath a corneal epithelium comprising:
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an edge configured to mechanically separate a layer of the corneal epithelium from a cornea while maintaining the epithelial layer in at least partial attachment to the cornea; and
an ocular device holder configured to place the ocular device beneath the layer of the corneal epithelium upon the cornea, and to hold the ocular device with the applicator until such placement. - 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, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A combined delaminating and inserting device for delaminating at least a portion of the corneal epithelium from a cornea and placing an ocular device on the cornea comprising:
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an edge configured to delaminate an epithelial layer of an eye;
an upper surface adjacent to the edge, wherein the upper surface comprises a low-friction surface; and
,an ocular device holder configured to hold an ocular device.
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32. A combined delaminating and inserting device for delaminating at least a portion of the corneal epithelium and placing an ocular device on the delaminated cornea comprising:
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an ocular device holder configured to releasably hold the ocular device;
an edge configured to mechanically separate a layer of the corneal epithelium from a cornea while maintaining the epithelial layer in at least partial attachment to the cornea; and
,an ocular device held within the holder. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. An ocular device applicator for introducing an ocular device beneath a corneal epithelium comprising:
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an edge configured to mechanically separate a layer of the corneal epithelium from a cornea while maintaining the epithelial layer in at least partial attachment to the cornea;
an ocular device holder configured to place the ocular device beneath the layer of the corneal epithelium upon the cornea, and to hold the ocular device with the applicator until such placement; and
an ocular device held within the ocular device holder.
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35. A kit for inserting an ocular device beneath a corneal epithelium comprising:
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a combined delaminating and inserting device for delaminating the corneal epithelium and placing an ocular device on the delaminated cornea comprising an edge configured to delaminate an epithelial layer of an eye while maintaining the epithelial layer in at least partial attachment, and a holder configured to hold an ocular device; and
an ocular device held within the holder.
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36. A method for delaminating an epithelial layer from an eye using a combined delaminating and inserting device comprising:
lifting from the anterior corneal surface of an eye a substantially continuous epithelial layer using a combined delaminating and inserting device comprising an edge and a holder, wherein the holder is configured to hold an ocular device.
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37. A method of inserting an ocular device beneath a corneal epithelium using a combined delaminating and inserting device comprising:
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lifting from the anterior corneal surface of an eye a substantially continuous epithelial layer by inserting below the epithelium a combined delaminating and inserting device comprising an edge and a holder configured to hold an ocular device; and
inserting onto the anterior corneal surface an ocular device from the holder of the combined delaminating and inserting device. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification