Eye positioner

• US 20080103367A1
• Filed: 10/13/2006
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David R. Hardten, Thomas A. Burba
• Original Assignee: David R. Hardten, Thomas A. Burba
• Inventors: Hardten, David R., Burba, Thomas A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,927,344 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/236
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/32 Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/013 Instruments for compensation of ocular refraction A61F9/008 takes precedence; Instruments for use in cornea removal, for reshaping or performing incisions in the cornea

Abstract

Self-contained eye positioner having an annular vacuum ring composed of a channeled support ring and an overmolded flexible sealing ring having an attached rigid hollow tube secured to a syringe by use of an attachment fixture. The syringe, which also functions as a handle, provides a vacuum source, the vacuum of which is communicated to the annular vacuum ring to suctionally adhere the annular vacuum ring to the eyeball for maneuvering thereof. Accompanying closely associated auxiliary devices are provided for use with the eye positioner. No external vacuum source is required.

Claims

1. A self-contained handheld eye positioner comprising:

an annular vacuum ring having a flexible sealing ring mated to a rigid channeled support ring;

an attachment fixture having a rigid receptacle extending from the rigid channeled support ring of the annular vacuum ring and a flexible housing extending from the flexible sealing ring, the flexible housing including a bore through the flexible housing for communication with the annular vacuum ring, accommodated within the receptacle; and

,

a rigid hollow tube affixed within the attachment fixture by insertion into the bore of the flexible housing and extending therefrom to a connector so as to provide a connection for communication to the annular vacuum ring and serve as a handle relative to the annular vacuum ring.

2. The self-contained handheld eye positioner of claim 1, wherein the connector of the rigid hollow tube is a Luer connector.

3. The self-contained handheld eye positioner of claim 2, further comprising:

a syringe attached to the Luer connector, the syringe functioning a vacuum source and as a rigid handle extension relative to the unitary annular vacuum ring.

4. The self-contained handheld eye positioner of claim 1, wherein the flexible sealing ring of the annular vacuum ring is mated to the rigid channeled support ring by a method selected from the group consisting of overmolding the flexible sealing ring to the rigid channeled support ring, adhesive bonding of the flexible sealing ring to the rigid channeled support ring, ultrasonic welding of the flexible sealing ring to the rigid channeled support ring, and compression fit of the flexible sealing ring to the rigid channeled support ring.

5. The self-contained handheld eye positioner of claim 1, wherein the rigid receptacle of the attachment fixture includes an engagement channel and a connecting narrower restrictive access channel, the narrower restrictive access channel defined by at least one resiliently flexible member of the rigid receptacle and allowing forcible accommodation of the rigid tube when inserted into the bore of the flexible housing of the attachment fixture.

6. The self-contained handheld eye positioner of claim 5, wherein the rigid tube snappingly engages with the rigid receptacle and the bore of the flexible housing is tapered.

7. The self-contained handheld eye positioner of claim 5, wherein the rigid tube engages by compression with the rigid receptacle and the bore of the flexible housing is tapered.

8. The self-contained handheld eye positioner of claim 2, further comprising:

a flexible tube extending from the Luer connector, the flexible tube adapted for connection to a vacuum source; and

,

a valve controlling communications between the vacuum source and the annular vacuum ring.

9. The self-contained handheld eye positioner of claim 1, wherein the rigid channeled support ring further includes:

means for aligned securement of geometrically configured auxiliary devices to the rigid channeled support ring.

10. The self-contained handheld eye positioner of claim 9, wherein the means for aligned securement is selected from the group consisting of threaded attachment, bayonet attachment, ring and groove attachment, slotted member attachment, and light bulb-to-socket type engagement.

11. The self-contained handheld eye positioner of claim 1, wherein the rigid channeled support ring also serves as a substrate support ring and the substrate support ring further includes:

means for aligned securement of geometrically configured auxiliary devices to the rigid channeled substrate support ring.

12. The self-contained handheld eye positioner of claim 11, wherein the means for aligned securement is selected from the group consisting of threaded attachment, bayonet attachment, ring and groove attachment, friction fit, adhesive attachment, slotted member attachment, light bulb-to-socket slotted type engagement, and tongue and groove attachment.

13. A method of manufacturing an eye positioner comprising the steps of:

providing a rigid channeled support with a rigid receptacle extending therefrom; and

,

overmolding a flexible sealing ring and housing to the rigid channeled support and rigid receptacle.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

providing a rigid tube; and

,

engaging the housing with the rigid tube to establish communication with the overmolded flexible sealing ring.

15. A method of positioning an eye comprising the steps of:

providing a self-contained handheld eye positioner with an annular vacuum ring including a flexible sealing ring mated to a rigid channeled support, attachment fixture, rigid tube, and syringe vacuum source; and

,

engaging the eye and generating a vacuum with the syringe to cause the eye to be grasped, maneuvered and suitably positioned by the self-contained handheld eye positioner.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the rigid channeled support of the annular vacuum ring includes means for aligned securement of inserts and further comprising the steps of:

providing an insert for the means for aligned securement; and

,

securing the provided insert in an aligned relationship to the rigid channeled support, such that the insert and the eye become aligned.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the provided insert causes re-shaping of the eye.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the provided insert causes diffusion, blocking, focusing or filtering of radiation subsequently applied to the eye.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the radiation is selected from the group consisting of sound, light, laser, and electromagnetic energy radiation.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the insert is for medical or visual modification of the eye.