Intraocular balloon, insertion guide for intraocular balloon, and holder
AssigneeYoshinori Takayanagi
InventorsYoshinori Takayanagi, Kazuo Tachi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention provides an intraocular balloon and associated devices such as an intraocular balloon insertion guide and a holder. They enable a surgeon to readily perform an operation for correcting retinal detachment and to lighten a burden imposed on a surgical patient to a great extent. The intraocular balloon is characterized by having a gas injection valve; the intraocular balloon insertion guide facilitates the insertion of the intraocular balloon into an eye; and the holder holds the intraocular balloon and the intraocular balloon insertion guide, and is fixed onto the eyeball. The invention is also directed to a surgical procedure for retinal detachment using such devices.
Claims19
An intraocular balloon comprising:
- a generally spherical first balloon configured so as to be introduced into an eye;
- and
- a fluid injection valve mounted relative to said first balloon such that a fluid may be introduced into said first balloon via said fluid injection valve to inflate the first balloon when the first balloon is introduced into the eye,
- wherein said first balloon has a depression located thereon at such a position that said first balloon does not contact the lens of the eye when the first balloon is introduced into the eye and inflated.
An intraocular balloon comprising:
- a generally spherical first balloon configured so as to be introduced into an eye;
- and
- a fluid injection valve mounted relative to said first balloon such that a fluid may be introduced into said first balloon via said fluid injection valve to inflate the first balloon when the first balloon is introduced into the eye,
- wherein said first balloon has a depression located thereon at such a position relative to said fluid injection valve that said first balloon does not contact the lens of the eye when the first balloon is introduced into the eye and inflated.
An intraocular balloon holder for holding an intraocular balloon in an eye via an insertion guide, the intraocular balloon comprising a generally spherical first balloon configured so as to be introduced into an eye and a fluid injection valve mounted relative to said first balloon such that a fluid may be introduced into said first balloon via said fluid injection valve to inflate the first balloon when the first balloon is introduced into the eye, the insertion guide comprising legs serving as a guide for the intraocular balloon and a ring for fixing the legs in place, the intraocular balloon holder comprising:
- a material positioned at an exterior surface of the eye;
- an insertion hole formed at a central portion of the material, through which the intraocular balloon may be inserted into the eye;
- insertion slits formed at the central portion of the material, the legs of the insertion guide being fittable in the insertion slits;
- and
- suture portions at the periphery of the holder for fixing the holder to the eye.
A surgical procedure for correcting retinal detachment, comprising the steps of:
- removing a vitreous body from an eye;
- feeding an intraocular perfusate into the eye;
- inserting into the eye an intraocular balloon insertion guide which holds an intraocular balloon and is held by a holder;
- suturing the holder onto the eye for fixation;
- removing the intraocular balloon insertion guide;
- injecting a fluid into the intraocular balloon while the intraocular perfusate is drained from the eye, so as to press a retinal lacuna by the intraocular balloon against the retina;
- closing the retinal lacuna;
- and
- feeding the intraocular perfusate into the eye while the gas is discharged from the intraocular balloon.
An insertion guide for guiding an intraocular balloon into an eye, the intraocular balloon comprising a generally spherical first balloon configured so as to be introduced into an eye, and a gas injection valve mounted relative to said first balloon such that a fluid may be introduced into said first balloon via said gas injection valve to inflate the first balloon when the first balloon is introduced into the eye, the insertion guide comprising:
- legs serving as a guide for the intraocular balloon;
- and
- a ring for fixing the legs in place.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.