Oxygenated perfluorinated perfusion of the ocular globe to treat ischemic retinopathy
First Claim
1. A method of treating retinal ischemia, comprising the steps of:
- a. removing at least a portion of the vitreous body to create an intra-ocular perfusion space; and
b. establising a circulation of a physiologically compatible oxygenated liquid through said perfusion space by injecting said liquid into and withdrawing said liquid from said space.
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Abstract
A novel method of treating ischemic retinopathy is disclosed. After diagnosis of ischemic retinopathy, as for example as a result of retinal infarction, the ocular globe is penetrated with two small cannulae. An inflow and outflow perfusion is then established with an oxygenated perfluorochemical emulsion or other physiologically compatible oxygenated liquid. A sufficient perfusion rate is established and maintained to provide the metabolic needs of the retina for the 3 to 5 day period necessary to permit the natural healing process to occur. The method comprises removing at least a portion of vitreous body to create an intraocular perfusion space and establishing a perfusion of physiologically compatible oxygenated fluid through that perfusion space at a rate and for a duration sufficient to permit the natural healing process to occur. Alternatively, a method of diagnosing the condition of retinal tissue suspected of being ischemic is disclosed.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of treating retinal ischemia, comprising the steps of:
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a. removing at least a portion of the vitreous body to create an intra-ocular perfusion space; and b. establising a circulation of a physiologically compatible oxygenated liquid through said perfusion space by injecting said liquid into and withdrawing said liquid from said space. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 8, 9)
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- 2. The method of claim I wherein said removing step comprises creating an incision at the limbus of the eye adjacent to the irido-corneal angle.
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7. The method of claim I wherein step (b) comprises inserting an 18 to 25 gauge cannulae into said intraocular perfusion space.
- 10. The method of claim I wherein said vitreous body is removed at least in the region adjacent to ischemic retinal tissue to be treated.
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12. A method of diagnosing the condition of retinal tissue suspected of being ischemic, comprising the steps of:
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a. removing at least a portion of vitreous body to create an intracellular perfusion space adjacent to said retina; b. establishing a circulation of a physiologically compatible liquid of known composition through said space by injecting said liquid into contact with said tissue and withdrawing said liquid from said space; and c. analyzing said liquid withdrawn from said intraocular perfusion space to determine at least one characteristic of said withdrawn liquid which differs from said liquid as injected. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification