Patent · US Expired

Delivery apparatus and method for treatment of intralenticular cataracts with exogenous enzymes

US4135516A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
5References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 24, 1977
Grant dateJan 23, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 24, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M2210/0612
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An enzymatic intralenticular cataract treatment method for removal of nuclear cortical and subcapsular regions of the cataractous lens through enzymatic digestion thereof, which comprises introduction of a concentrated solution of proteinase into the nuclear and cortical regions of a cataractous lens by way of a cannula inserted through a very tiny incision in the cornea and puncture opening into the lens capsule, leaving all other structures within the eye intact, after which a gas bubble is introduced from the cannula into the lens, the gas bubble serving to maintain the enzyme compartmentalized within the subcapsular region. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a preferred embodiment of the apparatus involved with the method comprises an enzyme reservoir connected through a delivery means and a four port, two channel valve to a cannula. The cannula is filled with enzyme solution then the delivery means and valve are operated by the surgeon so as to carry out the above described treatment method.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.