Medical device and method for temperature control and treatment of the eye and surrounding tissues

• US 20060136022A1
• Filed: 11/22/2005
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward K. Wong Jr, Markus D. Wong, Timothy L. Lee
• Original Assignee: Edward K. Wong Jr, Markus D. Wong, Timothy L. Lee
• Inventors: Wong, Edward K. Jr., Wong, Markus D., Lee, Timothy L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,229,468 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00088 using thermistors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/165 Non-contacting tonometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/417 the bone marrow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6821 Eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0004 Eyes or part of the face surrounding the eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0054 with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0056 for cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/12 Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• 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

The invention provides a medical device having a thermister for temperature measurement, irrigation/aspiration ports for fluid exchange and application of therapeutic modalities, a pressure manometer for pressure measurement, and an external system for control of temperature, pressure, and flow rate. When applied to the eye and orbit, this device can be used in hypothermia or hyperthermia applications, the control of intraocular pressure (IOP), and the application of treatment modalities. Methods of using the device in treating patients suffering from central retinal artery occlusion, anterior optic nerve disease, pathology of the choroid and retina including the macula, inflammation of the eye including the vitreous and anterior segment, glaucoma, inflammation and/or infections of the anterior and/or posterior segment of the eye, treatment before/during/after surgery of the eye, and the application of treatment modalities through a semi-permeable membrane are described.

Claims

1. A method of preventing neurological damage, ocular damage and orbital damage to an eye, said method comprising:

inserting a shell over an external surface of the eye within superior and inferior fornices beneath the eyelids; and

controlling a temperature of the eye and orbit by circulating fluid within the shell.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising inspection of a cornea and other ocular structure through a central opening when the shell is inserted over the eye.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising measuring ocular properties by way of sensors disposed in the shell.

4. The method according to claim 1 further comprising controlling a pressure of the circulating fluid.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising massaging the eye by regulating a pressure of the circulating fluid.

6. The method according to cliam 5 wherein massaging the eye includes disposing a pulsating unit between the shell and the eye in order to raise and lower intra-ocular pressure

a fluid entry port and a fluid exit port, both in fluid communication with said shell, for circulating fluid through said shell.

14. The device according to claim 13 wherein said shell further comprises a central anterior opening for enabling inspection of the eye when the shell is disposed therein.

15. The device according to claim 13 further comprises sensors disposed in said shell for measuring ocular properties.

16. The device according to claim 13 further comprises apparatus for controlling fluid temperature, pressure, and rate of fluid flow through said shell.

17. The device according to claim 13 further comprising apparatus for varying pressure of fluid through said shell in order to massage the eye.

18. The device according to claim 17 wherein the apparatus for varying pressure includes a pulsating unit disposed between the shell and orbital tissues of the eye.

19. The device according to claim 13 wherein said shell further comprises means for introducing a medicament into the eye and/or priorbital tissue.

20. The device according to claim 13 further comprises an outer shell coating.

21. The device according to claim 20 wherein said outer shell coating is selected from a group consisting of an insulating material and a medicament.

22. The device according to claim 13 further comprises an inner shell coating.

23. The device according to claim 22 wherein said inner shell coating is selected from a group consisting of a thermal conducting material and a medicament.

24. The device according to claim 13 further comprising a speculum for separation and cooling of eyelids.

25. The device according to claim 24 further comprising a counter-bore fixation ring for facilitating attachment of other instruments.

26. The device according to claim 13 further comprising a cooling patch having fluid channels in fluid communication with said shell for cooling eyelids.