US4078564A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intralenticular cataract surgery
Assignee: Novo Enzyme Corp
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Filing: 1976-02-24
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Granted: 1978-03-14
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Expires: 1996-02-24
Abstract
Abstract An enzymatic intralenticular cataract treatment for removal of nuclear cortical and subcapsular regions of the cataractous lens through enzymatic digestion thereof which comprises introduction of a concentrated solution of mixed exogenous enzymes into the nuclear and cortical regions of a cataractous lens, and after enzymatic digestion removing the liquefied cataractous material. The procedure allows removal of the nuclear, cortical and subcapsular portions of a cataractous lens through a very tiny incision in the eye and lens capsule, leaving all other structures within the eye intact.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Spina
- 👤 Michael K. Weibel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00736; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/178; A61M5/31; A61P; A61P27/00; A61P27/02; A61P27/12; A61M2210/00; A61M2210/06; A61M2210/0612
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for enzymatically treating cataracts in vivo which comprises injecting a concentrated solution of at least one exogenous lens digesting enzyme directly into the lens of an eye, then allowing enzymatic digestion of the lens to take place and thereafter removing the enzyme digested lens material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
47 words
A method for enzymatically treating cataracts in vivo which comprises injecting a concentrated solution of at least one exogenous lens digesting enzyme directly into the lens of an eye, then allowing enzymatic digestion of the lens to take place and thereafter removing the enzyme digested lens material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of injecting an enzyme solution including at least one protease, a lipae and a phospholipase.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of injecting an enzyme solution including a multiplicity of proteases.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of incorporating a tracking indicator in the enzyme solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 including, after the step of injecting the enzyme solution the step of injecting an air bubble into the injection opening, sealing same against leakage of the enzyme solution from the lens.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3320131A
Cited
US3589363A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-13 | 1981-09-12 | 1982-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-13 | 1985-09-12 | 1986-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-13 | 1989-09-12 | 1990-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |