Corneal rivet

• US 4,935,028 A
• Filed: 12/28/1988
• Issued: 06/19/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert C. Drews
• Original Assignee: Robert C. Drews
• Inventors: Drews, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US07/291,289
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 411/453, 411/447, 411/481, 411/489, 411/517, 411/922, 128/339, 128/335, 128/340, 128/337, 24/150 R, 24/150 P, 24/150 DP
• US Class Current: 606/220
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand caps with means for protecting the eyes A42B1/018; visors for helmets A42B3/22; retractors A61B17/02; manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; appliances to aid invalids to move about A61H3/00; exercisers for the eyes A61H5/00; eye baths A61H35/02; sunglasses or goggles having the same features as spectacles G02C
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/922 Nail, spike or tack having locking device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4695 Wire curved or bent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4696 having distinct head structure

Abstract

A corneal rivet for passing internally through the cornea and for providing closure of an incision in the cornea with a mechanically and optically configured rivet body including a first rivet head secured at one end thereto and a second member for securing to the other end of the rivet. The securing can either be through frictional engagement of the second member to the rivet body, through a knotting, a crimping, staking, threading, pinning, heat forming a ball or mushroom member, or a ratcheting engagement. The corneal rivet body can be utilized to suture other tissues besides the cornea, such as sclera, iris, other ocular tissues, skin, flesh or the like.

Claims

1. In combination, a corneal rivet body and a member comprising:

a. rivet body including an arched configured rivet body, a shaped flat fixed rivet head member having a thickness which is small relative to its length and width secured to one end, and a surgical needle tip formed at another end; and

,

b. member including means for securing said surgical needle end.

2. Corneal rivet of claim 1 wherein said securing means is frictional engagement between said rivet and said member.

3. Corneal rivet of claim 1 wherein said securing means is a loop over said body.

4. Corneal rivet of claim 1 wherein said securing means is a knot.

5. Corneal rivet of claim 1 wherein said securing means is a knot about a bar.

6. Corneal rivet of claim 1 wherein said securing means is a crimp.

7. Corneal rivet of claim 1 wherein said securing means is heat staked.

8. Corneal rivet of claim 1 wherein said securing means is a threaded junction.

9. Corneal rivet of claim 1 wherein said securing means is pinned.

10. Corneal rivet of claim 1 wherein said securing means is heat formed.

11. Corneal rivet of claim 1 wherein said securing means is ratcheted.