Sutureless occular surgical methods and instruments for use in such methods
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method for providing access within an eye during an ocular surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:
- providing an entry alignment device that is configured so as to provide an entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera of the eye and maintaining the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera aligned during the surgical procedure;
wherein the entry alignment device being provided is sized such that when the entry alignment device is removed from the eye, the entry aperture formed in the conjunctiva and sclera are sealed without the use of sutures;
inserting the entry alignment device into the eye so as to form the entry apertures, where said inserting is accomplished without pulling back the conjunctiva;
providing a surgical instrument having an operable end for insertion through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera, a portion of the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter not greater than 25 gauge; and
inserting the surgical instrument through the entry apertures into the eye.
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Abstract
Featured are new methods for performing intra-ocular surgery that allow surgical personnel to access the intra-ocular volume to perform a surgical procedure or technique but which does not require the use of sutures to seal the sclera and/or conjunctiva following the procedure. The methods of the present invention generally include providing an entry alignment device and inserting the entry alignment device into an eye through both the conjunctiva and sclera so as to form an entry aperture that extends between the exterior of the eye and the intra-ocular volume within the eye. The provided alignment device is configured so as to form or provide an aperture or opening in each of the conjunctiva and sclera of the eye and to maintain these apertures or openings in each of the conjunctiva and sclera aligned during the surgical procedure so these apertures or openings form the entry aperture. In more particular aspects, the provided entry alignment device is sized such that when the entry alignment device is removed from the eye following the completion of the surgical procedure, the aperture or opening formed in the sclera seals without the use of sutures. In a more specific aspect of the present invention, the provided entry alignment device is sized such that the apertures or openings and thus the entry aperture are self sealing. In other embodiments, a plurality of entry alignment devices are provided so a plurality of entry apertures can be formed in the eye. The invention also features a high speed vitreous cutting and aspirating device particularly configured for use in such methods and surgical procedures and techniques as well as the related entry alignment devices and other surgical instruments.
129 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method for providing access within an eye during an ocular surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:
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providing an entry alignment device that is configured so as to provide an entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera of the eye and maintaining the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera aligned during the surgical procedure; wherein the entry alignment device being provided is sized such that when the entry alignment device is removed from the eye, the entry aperture formed in the conjunctiva and sclera are sealed without the use of sutures; inserting the entry alignment device into the eye so as to form the entry apertures, where said inserting is accomplished without pulling back the conjunctiva; providing a surgical instrument having an operable end for insertion through the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera, a portion of the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter not greater than 25 gauge; and inserting the surgical instrument through the entry apertures into the eye. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for providing access within an eye during an ocular surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:
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providing an entry alignment device that is configured so as to provide an entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera of the eye and maintaining the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera aligned during the surgical procedure; and inserting the entry alignment device into the eye so as to form the entry apertures, where said inserting is accomplished without pulling back the conjunctiva; providing an infusion cannula having an operable end for insertion into the eye, the operable end having a cross-sectional diameter of not more than 25 gauge and being interconnected to an infusion source; and inserting the cannula operable end through the conjunctiva and sclera. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for treating a posterior segment of an eye comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of entry alignment devices, each entry alignment device being configured so as to provide an entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera of the eye and maintaining the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera aligned during the surgical procedure; inserting each of the plurality of entry alignment devices into the eye, where said inserting is accomplished without pulling back the conjunctiva; and implementing a corrective procedure for the retina. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for providing access within an eye during an ocular surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of entry alignment device, each entry alignment device being configured so as to provide an entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera of the eye and maintaining the entry aperture in each of the conjunctiva and sclera aligned during the surgical procedure; and inserting each of the plurality of entry alignment device into the eye so as to form a plurality of the entry apertures in the conjunctiva and sclera where said inserting is accomplished without pulling back the conjunctiva. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification