US4909784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for preventing clouding of posterior capsule after extracapsular cataract eye surgery
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-03-25
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Granted: 1990-03-20
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Expires: 2008-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A method of performing cataract surgery on an eye to prevent posterior capsule clouding after the surgery includes injecting a cell-killing substance between the capsule and the natural lens prior to removing the natural lens from the eye. The cell-killing substance is preferably water having a salinity less than 0.9%, with a preferred salinity range of from 0 to 0.6%. A syringe for injecting the cell-killing substance also aspirates any cell-killing substance escaping from the capsule.
Inventors
- 👤 Seymour Dubroff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/77; A61M2210/00; A61M2210/06; A61M2210/0612
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of performing cataract surgery on an eye to prevent capsule clouding after the surgery comprising the steps of making an incision in the cornea; inserting an instrument through the incision and injecting through the instrument a substance having properties to kill epithelial cells between the capsule and the natural lens killing the epithelial cells; and removing the natural lens from the eye prior to closing the incision.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of performing cataract surgery on an eye to prevent capsule clouding after the surgery comprising the steps of making an incision in the cornea; inserting an instrument through the incision and injecting through the instrument a substance having properties to kill epithelial cells between the capsule and the natural lens killing the epithelial cells; and removing the natural lens from the eye prior to closing the incision.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of performing cataract surgery as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of injecting the substance includes injecting water having a salinity of less than 0.9% to kill the epithelial cells by osmotic pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of performing cataract surgery as recited in claim 1 wherein said injecting step includes forcing the substance between the capsule and the natural lens under pressure and further comprising the step of aspirating from the eye any of the substance escaping from the capsule.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of performing cataract surgery as recited in claim 3 wherein said injecting step includes the use of a syringe with a hypodermic needle, the needle puncturing the anterior capsule.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of performing cataract surgery as recited in claim 4 wherein said aspirating step is performed under vacuum supplied from a syringe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of performing cataract surgery as recited in claim 5 wherein said step of injecting the substance includes injecting water having a salinity of less than 0.9% to kill the epithelial cells by osmotic pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of performing cataract surgery as recited in claim 6 and further comprising the step of, prior to said injecting step, placing a viscoelastic material in the anterior chamber of the eye whereby any of the substance escaping from the capsule is prevented from reaching the corneal endothelium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of performing cataract surgery as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of injecting the substance includes injecting water having substantially no salinity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of performing cataract surgery as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of injecting the substance includes injecting water having a salinity in the range of from 0 to 0.6%.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of performing cataract surgery on an eye to prevent capsule clouding after the surgery comprising the steps of injecting a substance having properties to kill epithelial cells between the capsule and the natural lens killing the epithelial cells; removing the natural lens from the eye; and prior to said injecting step, placing a viscoelastic material in the anterior chamber of the eye preventing any of the substance escaping from the capsule from reaching the corneal endothelium.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of performing cataract surgery on an eye to prevent capsule clouding after the surgery comprising the steps of injecting a substance having properties to kill epithelial cells between the capsule and the natural lens killing the epithelial cells; removing the natural lens from the eye; and prior to said injecting step, placing a viscoelastic material in the anterior chamber of the eye preventing any of the substance escaping from the capsule from reaching the corneal endothelium.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of killing epithelial cells in the lens capsule of an eye comprising the steps of placing a viscoelastic material in the anterior chamber of the eye; and introducing water having a salinity less than 0.9% into the capsule killing the epithelial cells by osmotic pressure.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of killing epithelial cells in the lens capsule of an eye comprising the steps of placing a viscoelastic material in the anterior chamber of the eye; and introducing water having a salinity less than 0.9% into the capsule killing the epithelial cells by osmotic pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of killing epithelial cells in the lens capsule of an eye as recited in claim 11 wherein said step of introducing water includes introducing water having a salinity less than 0.6%.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of killing epithelial cells in the lens capsule of an eye having a cataract immediately prior to surgical removal of the lens comprising the step of introducing water having a salinity less than 0.9% into the capsule killing the epithelial cells by osmotic pressure.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of killing epithelial cells in the lens capsule of an eye having a cataract immediately prior to surgical removal of the lens comprising the step of introducing water having a salinity less than 0.9% into the capsule killing the epithelial cells by osmotic pressure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of killing epithelial cells in the lens capsule of an eye having a cataract immediately prior to surgical removal of the lens as recited in claim 13 wherein said step of introducing water includes introducing water having a salinity less than 0.6%.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-19 | 1993-09-18 | 1994-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-19 | 1997-09-18 | 1998-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-19 | 2001-09-18 | 2002-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |