Eye endoplant for the reattachment of a retina

• US 6,699,285 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2001
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ENGO Corporation
• Original Assignee: Scieran Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Zapata, Ulises Zertuche
• Primary Examiner(s): SNOW, BRUCE EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US09/780,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20010008978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 623/6.63, 606/5, 606/107, 606/139
• US Class Current: 623/6.63
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00727 Apparatus for retinal reattachment

Abstract

A band that can be implanted into an eye to re-attach a retina. The implanted band exerts a pressure that presses the retina into a globe of the eye. The band has a length that is at least 100 degrees of the circumference of the globe of the eye. The band may be injected into the eye with a syringe type injector.

Claims

1. A device that can be used to re-attach a retina within an eye having a globe that has a circumference, comprising:

a band that is flexible enough to conform to the contour of the retina and stiff enough to apply a pressure to the retina when implanted in the eye in an unattached state, said band having a length that is at least 100 degrees of the circumference of the globe, said band having a pair of curled ends.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said band is essentially straight in a relaxed state.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said band is constructed from a rubber material.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said band is constructed from a plastic material.

5. A device that can be used to re-attach a retina of an eye, comprising:

a band that is flexible enough to conform to the contour of the retina and stiff enough to apply a pressure to the retina when implanted in the eye in an unattached state, said band having a pair of curled ends.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said band is essentially straight in a relaxed state.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein said band is constructed from a rubber material.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein said band is constructed from a plastic material.