System for packaging and handling an implant and method of use

• US 9,005,280 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2012
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ReVision Optics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ReVision Optics, Inc.
• Inventors: Nigam, Alok
• Primary Examiner(s): McEvoy, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZPIRA, JULIE ANN
• Application Number:
  US13/443,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20120203238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 606/107, 623/6.12, 294/1.2
• US Class Current: 623/6.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/14 Eye parts, e.g. lenses, corneal implants; Implanting instruments specially adapted therefor; Artificial eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/147 Implants to be inserted in the stroma for refractive correction, e.g. ring-like implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/148 Implantation instruments specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/16 Intraocular lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1662 Instruments for inserting intraocular lenses into the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1691 Packages or dispensers for intraocular lenses for contact lenses A45C11/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/021 with pattern for identification or with cosmetic or therapeutic effects methods and processes take preference, e.g. printing, marking or copying processes B41M; identification in general G09F3/00; producing decorative effects in general B44C; surface treatment of glass C03C15/00 - C03C23/00; positioning or marking of lenses B24B13/0055

Abstract

A system designed to store an implant together with the tools necessary to implant the stored implant, and a method of using such system. Such system includes an implant storage tool adapted to retain the implant within a storage container. The implant storage tool is operable to provide an implant applicator.

Claims

1. A corneal implant applicator apparatus, comprising

a corneal implant applicator;

a corneal implant support disposed relative to the corneal implant applicator;

a corneal implant disposed between the corneal implant applicator and the corneal implant support,

wherein the corneal implant applicator and corneal implant support are adapted such that, when the position of the corneal implant applicator changes relative to the position of the corneal implant support, the corneal implant preferentially adheres to the corneal implant applicator rather than the corneal implant support solely due to the corneal implant'"'"'s preference for adhering to the corneal implant applicator rather than the corneal implant support.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the corneal implant applicator has a radius of curvature that is greater than a radius of curvature of an anterior surface of the corneal implant.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the corneal implant support has a surface with a contour that is different than a contour of a surface of the corneal implant applicator, and wherein the different contours provide the corneal implant with the greater preference for adhering to the corneal implant applicator rather than the corneal implant support.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the corneal implant applicator has a surface that is smoother than a surface of the corneal implant support.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the corneal implant support is adapted to be moved relative to the applicator to provide access to the corneal implant and cause the corneal implant to preferentially adhere to the corneal implant applicator rather than the corneal implant support.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the corneal implant support is detachably secured to the corneal implant applicator.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the corneal implant comprises a hydrophilic material.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the corneal implant support is disposed relative to the corneal implant applicator to form a corneal implant chamber.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cornea implant applicator has a surface adjacent the corneal implant that is not complementary with an anterior surface of the corneal implant.

10. A method of preparing a corneal implant for positioning onto corneal tissue, comprising:

providing a corneal implant applicator apparatus, the apparatus comprising a corneal implant applicator, an implant support disposed relative to the corneal implant applicator, and

a corneal implant disposed between the corneal implant applicator and the implant support;

changing the relative positions of the corneal implant support and the corneal implant applicator to allow the corneal implant to adhere to the corneal implant applicator rather than the corneal implant support solely due to the corneal implant'"'"'s preference for adhering to the implant applicator rather than the implant support.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising removing a securing element that detachably secures the implant support to the corneal implant applicator.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising wicking away fluid from between the corneal implant applicator and the implant support, wherein the wicking step occurs prior to moving the implant support relative to the corneal implant applicator.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising creating a corneal flap and lifting the corneal flap to expose the corneal tissue.