Ocular inspection and eye mist apparatus

• US 6,336,917 B1
• Filed: 02/04/1998
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph J. Berke
• Original Assignee: Nulli Secundus, Inc.
• Inventors: Berke, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Kim M.
• Application Number:
  US09/018,578
• Time in Patent Office: 1,434 Days
• Field of Search: 604/294, 604/295, 604/296, 604/300, 604/301, 604/302, 222/383.1, 222/523, 222/525, 222/526, 222/527, 222/419, 222/420
• US Class Current: 604/295
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/1208 Multiple lens hand-held instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0008 Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0026 Ophthalmic product dispenser attachments to facilitate positioning near the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0612 Eyes

Abstract

An ocular inspection and treatment eye mist apparatus having an outer housing that contacts the bony orbit surrounding the eye. An inner housing, concentrically disposed within the outer housing contacts the eyelid, pushing the eyelid back, exposing the eye. The outer housing is adjustable longitudinally over the inner housing to accommodate different users. The position of the outer housing prevents the inner housing from protruding too far into the eye by acting as a stop against the bony orbit. One end of the inner housing is adapted to receive a dispenser for administering a metered spray of medicine, powdered or liquid, or lavage to the eye as it is held open by the ocular treatment apparatus. The dispenser nozzle is equipped with a contrasting mark which provides a target for the eye to focus on ensuring the eye is optimally positioned to receive the metered spray. A method of using the ocular apparatus for inspecting the eye or administering a medication or lavage to the eye including adjusting the inner and outer housings, positioning the apparatus on the eye to have the inner housing contact the eyelids peri-occularly to retract the eyelids and to have the outer housing contact peri-orbitally to act as a stop.

Claims

1. An ocular apparatus for preparing an eyelid and inspecting an eyeball located on a face having a bony orbit proximate the eyeball, said ocular treatment apparatus comprising:

an inner housing member having a first end and a second end, said first end having a peripheral edge defining an opening therein, said peripheral edge being shaped for engaging and retracting the eyelid in an open position and fixing the eyeball in spot; and

an outer housing member having a first end having a peripheral edge defining an opening therein, said peripheral edge of said outer housing member capable of corresponding to the bony orbit defining an orbit surrounding the eyeball, said peripheral edge of said outer housing member concentric with said peripheral edge of said inner housing member, said peripheral edge of said outer housing member being adjustable in relation to said peripheral edge of said inner housing member such that said inner housing member protrudes a predetermined distance into the orbit thereby avoiding injury to the eyeball.

2. An ocular treatment apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a dispenser mounted to said second end of said inner housing, said dispenser for receiving a vial of medicine, powder or lavage for irrigation, pressure applied to said vial causes said dispenser to release a predetermined amount of said medicine onto the eyeball in the form of a metered spray.

3. An ocular treatment apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said outer housing member is rotatably mounted to said inner housing member.

4. An ocular treatment apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said outer housing member further comprises a handle.

5. An ocular treatment apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said outer housing member is adjustable longitudinally along said inner housing member for adjusting said predetermined distance from said inner housing member enters the orbit.

6. An ocular treatment apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising means for fixing said outer housing member in position on said inner housing member.

7. An ocular treatment apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said peripheral edge of said inner housing member further comprises a non-slip surface coating.

8. An ocular treatment apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said peripheral edge of said outer housing member further comprises a non-slip surface coating.

9. An ocular treatment apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a non-slip surface coating on said peripheral edge of said outer housing member.

10. An ocular treatment apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said peripheral edge of said inner housing member is angled defining a leading edge for fixing said eyeball in spot.

11. An ocular apparatus for preparing an eyelid and an eyeball for inspecting and treating the eye and eyelid, said ocular treatment apparatus comprising:

(a) a peri-orbital peripheral edge for contacting the peri-orbital region of said eye;

(b) a peri-ocular peripheral edge for contacting the eyelids and fixing the eyeball in spot; and

(c) a means for fixing the relative position of said peri-orbital peripheral edge with respect to said peri-ocular peripheral edge.

12. An ocular apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising an outer housing including said peri-orbital peripheral edge, an inner housing including said peri-ocular peripheral edge and wherein said fixing means comprises a threaded member.