Strabismus surgery apparatus and method

• US 5,722,982 A
• Filed: 09/26/1996
• Issued: 03/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: University Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Mendonca, Tomas F. Scalamandre, Ferreira, Rosane, Bateman, J. Bronwyn
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHMIDT, JEFFREY
• Application Number:
  US08/721,279
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/157, 606/158, 606/142, 606/139, 606/143, 606/150, 606/106, 606/116, 606/117, 606/161, 128/898, 128/831, 128/843, 227/902
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06 Needles ; Sutures; Needle-suture combinations; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials puncturing needles A61B17/34; hypodermic needles A61M5/32 ; sewing needles D05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/083 Clips, e.g. resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/128 for applying or removing clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 227/902 Surgical clips or staples

Abstract

A new eye hook has a groove in the muscle engaging surface to house a muscle clip. Passage of the muscle clip under a muscle in a single step is made possible. The muscle clip has a smooth upper surface on the lower jaw to minimize friction with the muscle.

Claims

1. An extraocular muscle clip comprising:

a hinge means at one end;

a pair of oppositely facing jaws, said jaws being interconnected at said hinge means and having opposed faces surfaced with a muscle grabbing means, at least one of said jaws having an exterior surface adjacent the eye in use;

a locking means at a second end whereby said jaws may be closed thereby securely clamping onto said muscle;

a pair of suture material members affixed to said clip;

a suture needle affixed to each of said suture material members; and

said pair of oppositely facing jaws having a lower jaw member and an upper jaw member, said lower jaw member having a smooth upper surface, thereby providing a minimal resistance when passed under a muscle, said lower jaw member having recesses for receiving said upper jaw member.

2. The clip of claim 1, wherein said muscle grabbing means further comprises teeth disposed on oppositely facing surfaces of said jaws.

3. The muscle clip of claim 1, wherein said exterior surface further comprises an arcuate shape to substantially conform to the curvature of the eye.

4. A multi-purpose eye hook comprising:

a handle having a V-shaped muscle engaging surface; and

said V-shaped muscle engaging surface having a groove means functioning to secure a muscle clip for passing the muscle clip under a muscle.

5. The eye hook of claim 4, in combination with a muscle clip, wherein said muscle clip comprises:

a hinge means at one end;

a pair of oppositely facing jaws, said jaws being interconnected at said hinge means and having opposed faces surfaced with a muscle grabbing means, at least one of said jaws having an exterior surface adjacent the eye in use;

a locking means at a second end whereby said jaws may be closed thereby securely clamping onto said muscle;

a pair of suture material members affixed to said clip;

a suture needle affixed to each of said suture material members; and

said pair of oppositely facing jaws having a lower jaw member having a smooth upper surface.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said muscle clip is formed of substances approved for eye surgery selected from the group consisting of inert plastic and silicone.

7. The combination of claim 5, wherein said muscle clip is formed of nontoxic, deformable, absorbable, sterile material.

8. The combination of claim 5, wherein said muscle grabbing means further comprises teeth disposed on oppositely facing surfaces of said jaws.

9. A method to perform Strabismus surgery comprising the steps of:

inserting a muscle clip into a groove in the muscle-engaging surface of an eye hook;

inserting the eye hook under a muscle;

removing the muscle clip from the eye hook;

locking the muscle clip to the muscle;

severing the muscle; and

suturing the muscle clip to a desired insertion.