US 2012/0232647 A1 · ADJUSTABLE WEIGHTED EYELID CLOSURE DEVICES AND METHODS

Abstract

Provided herein are embodiments of a weighted eyelid closure device for use in treating lagophthalmos. In accordance with an embodiment, the device can be implanted by an oculoplastic surgeon into a patient's eyelid, to treat lagophthalmos. The device's weight can then be adjusted later by the surgeon, if necessary, without requiring removal of the entire device. For example, if it is discovered that an implanted device is too heavy or too light after it has been implanted within the patient's eyelid, the load of the device can be adjusted by modifying the previous load. Alternatively, a new load having the desired weight can be implanted.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A weighted eyelid closure device, which can be implanted within a patient's eyelid to treat lagopthalmos, comprising:

a base unit, formed in an elongated shape, and having obverse and reverse faces,
wherein the base unit is sized so that it can be implanted within the interior of a patient's eyelid, and includes a plurality of pouches, and
wherein the elongated shape approximately matches that of the eyelid or eye;
a plurality of loads positioned within the plurality of pouches and arranged such that a weight of the plurality of loads is distributed non-uniformly across the elongated shape of the base unit;
and
wherein the base unit is implanted within the patient's eyelid to treat lagopthalmos.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable weighted eyelid closure devices and methods

Life of this patent

Adjustable weighted eyelid closure devices and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20