US5366474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for indenting the ocular coats of an eye
Assignee: Escalon Ophthalmics Inc
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Filing: 1992-08-13
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Granted: 1994-11-22
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Expires: 2012-08-13
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for indenting the ocular coats for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The method includes the steps of (1) gripping the eye at the intra-forniceal bulbar conjunctival surface with an inflatable tubular member having a centripetally expanding surface; and (2) applying pressure to the ocular coats to cause indentation as determined by the controlled filling of the inflatable member.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark S. Blumenkanz
- 👤 Carl Wang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00727; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/30; A61F5/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A device for indenting the ocular coats of an eye, said device comprising: gripping means for gripping the eye about the forniceal conjunctival surface; pressure applying means operatively connected to said gripping means for applying a pressure about at least a portion of said forniceal conjunctival surface to indent the eye; and fluid control means for controlling the flow of fluid into and out of said tubular member and from said pumping means, said fluid control means including fluid volume control means for controlling the volume of fluid flow and intraocular pressure means for sensing intraocular pressure and controlling said fluid volume control means in response thereto.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A device for indenting the ocular coats of an eye, said device comprising: gripping means for gripping the eye about the forniceal conjunctival surface; pressure applying means operatively connected to said gripping means for applying a pressure about at least a portion of said forniceal conjunctival surface to indent the eye; and fluid control means for controlling the flow of fluid into and out of said tubular member and from said pumping means, said fluid control means including fluid volume control means for controlling the volume of fluid flow and intraocular pressure means for sensing intraocular pressure and controlling said fluid volume control means in response thereto.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
173 words
A device for indenting the ocular coats of an eye, said device comprising: gripping means for gripping the eye about the forniceal conjunctival surface including a tubular elastromember having an inflatable inner surface and non inflatable outer surface for gripping an eye when inflated while not exposed outwardly and pressure applying means operatively connected to said gripping means for applying a pressure about at least a portion of said forniceal conjunctival surface to indent the eye and fluid control means for controlling the flow of fluid into and out of said tubular member and from said pumping means said fluid control means includes fluid volume control means for controlling the volume of fluid flow and intraocular pressure means for sensing intraocular pressure and controlling said fluid volume control means in response thereto and said fluid control means including fluid pressure control means for controlling the pressure of fluid flow and intraocular pressure and controlling said fluid pressure control means in sensing intraocular pressure and controlling said fluid volume control means in response thereto.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
173 words
A device for indenting the ocular coats of an eye, said device comprising: gripping means for gripping the eye about the forniceal conjunctival surface including a tubular elastromember having an inflatable inner surface and non inflatable outer surface for gripping an eye when inflated while not exposed outwardly and pressure applying means operatively connected to said gripping means for applying a pressure about at least a portion of said forniceal conjunctival surface to indent the eye and fluid control means for controlling the flow of fluid into and out of said tubular member and from said pumping means said fluid control means includes fluid volume control means for controlling the volume of fluid flow and intraocular pressure means for sensing intraocular pressure and controlling said fluid volume control means in response thereto and said fluid control means including fluid pressure control means for controlling the pressure of fluid flow and intraocular pressure and controlling said fluid pressure control means in sensing intraocular pressure and controlling said fluid volume control means in response thereto.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of achieving retinal reattachment, said method including the steps of: applying a pressure to a forniceal conjunctival surface of a globe and causing an ocular coat indentation of an area including retinal breaks; closing the retinal breaks; reabsorbing subretinal fluid; and creating an adhesion between the retina and the underlying pigment in epithelium.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of achieving retinal reattachment, said method including the steps of: applying a pressure to a forniceal conjunctival surface of a globe and causing an ocular coat indentation of an area including retinal breaks; closing the retinal breaks; reabsorbing subretinal fluid; and creating an adhesion between the retina and the underlying pigment in epithelium.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of softening an eye, said method including the steps of: gripping the eye about the forniceal bulbar conjunctival surface with an inflatable tubular member and inwardly inflating the tubular member while an outer diameter of the tubular member does not expand to apply a pressure about at least a portion of the forniceal conjunctival surface to indent the eye.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of softening an eye, said method including the steps of: gripping the eye about the forniceal bulbar conjunctival surface with an inflatable tubular member and inwardly inflating the tubular member while an outer diameter of the tubular member does not expand to apply a pressure about at least a portion of the forniceal conjunctival surface to indent the eye.
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) | 1997-11-21 | 1998-05-23 | 1998-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-05-23 | 2002-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-21 | 2006-05-23 | 2006-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |