Method and apparatus for preventing posterior capsular opacification
First Claim
1. A method for destroying residual lens epithelial cells in a lens capsule of an eye, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an iris shield constructed of a material capable of preventing the transmission energy therethrough at levels potentially harmful to an iris of said eye;
placing said iris shield between said lens capsule and said iris;
providing a probe having a distal end portion configured for insertion into an eye, said probe having a capacity to emit energy outwardly from said distal end portion;
inserting said first probe into a posterior chamber of said eye;
delivering energy to said distal end portion of said first probe such that energy is emitted outwardly from said distal end portion of said first probe at a level sufficient to destroy residual lens epithelial cells on said lens capsule;
ceasing the emission of energy from said distal end portion of said first probe;
removing said first probe from said eye; and
removing said iris shield from said eye.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for destroying residual lens epithelial cells. The apparatus includes a probe configured for insertion into the eye between the iris and the lens capsule. The probe is further configured to deliver energy therefrom to residual lens epithelial cells within the lens capsule in order to destroy them. The method includes the steps of inserting a probe constructed in accordance with the apparatus of present invention into the eye such that a distal end portion of the probe is disposed between the iris and the lens capsule, delivering energy to the probe such that residual lens epithelial cells within the lens capsule are destroyed, ceasing the delivery of energy to the probe, and removing the probe from the eye.
95 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for destroying residual lens epithelial cells in a lens capsule of an eye, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing an iris shield constructed of a material capable of preventing the transmission energy therethrough at levels potentially harmful to an iris of said eye; placing said iris shield between said lens capsule and said iris; providing a probe having a distal end portion configured for insertion into an eye, said probe having a capacity to emit energy outwardly from said distal end portion; inserting said first probe into a posterior chamber of said eye; delivering energy to said distal end portion of said first probe such that energy is emitted outwardly from said distal end portion of said first probe at a level sufficient to destroy residual lens epithelial cells on said lens capsule; ceasing the emission of energy from said distal end portion of said first probe; removing said first probe from said eye; and removing said iris shield from said eye. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for destroying residual lens epithelial cells within a lens capsule of an eye, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first probe having a distal end portion configured for insertion into an eye, said first probe having a capacity to emit energy outwardly from said distal end portion; inserting said first probe into said eye such that said distal end portion of said probe is positioned between an iris of said eye and said lens capsule; delivering energy to said distal end portion of said first probe such that energy is emitted outwardly from said distal end portion of said first probe at a level sufficient to destroy residual lens epithelial cells on said lens capsule; ceasing the emission of energy from said distal end portion of said first probe; and removing said first probe from said eye. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification