Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Eye prosthesis
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-08
2001-10-30
Nguyen, Dinh X. (Department: 3738)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Eye prosthesis
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309418
ABSTRACT:
FIELD
The present invention relates to a system for the treatment of lagophthalmos and, more particularly, to an eyelid weighting device for improving eyelid closure and reduced profile for a less conspicuous implant.
BACKGROUND
A number of different eyelid closure systems exist for facial paralysis. Surgical procedures, such as tarsorrhaphy (suturing the corners of the eyelids together) and implanting various prosthetic devices in the eyelids may be used to improve eyelid closure and reduce exposure of the eye. This provides some protection but generally prevents eyelid closure, reduces peripheral vision, and may be cosmetically unattractive. Prosthetic devices such as tantalum gauze mesh, silicon rubber elastic strips, stainless steel springs and magnets implanted in the upper and lower lids provide some amount of active eyelid closure.
Gold weight implants are also used in the surgical treatment of facial paralysis. The gold weights are implanted in the upper eyelid and secured to either the tarsal plate, orbital septum, or levator aponeurosis. When the levator muscle is relaxed, the upper eyelid is lowered by the force of gravity. One problem with the implants is the noticeable protrusion through the skin of the eyelid, an undesirable cosmetic effect. U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,437 discloses a standard profile weight. What is needed is an implant with a reduced profile. Although the profile is reduced the implant must maintain the same weight in order t o properly lower the eyelid.
SUMMARY
It is a general object of the invention to provide a reduced profile eyelid weight. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an eyelid weight with a reduced profile yet with a useable range of weight for eyelid closure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5542437 (1996-08-01), Blackmore et al.
MedDev Corporation, “Gold Eyelid Implants; Contour Design,” MedDev Corporate brochure, 1998.*
Barclay et al., “Restoration of Movement to the Upper Eyelid in Facial Palsy,” British Journal of Plastic Surgery 22, 1969, pp. 257-261.*
Jobe, “A Technique of Lid Loading in the Management of Lagophthalmos of Facial Palsy,” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, vol. 53, No. 1, 1974, pp. 29-32.*
Seiff, et al., “Pretarsal Fixation of Gold Weights in Facial Nerve Palsy,” Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, vol. 5, No. 2, 1989, pp. 104-109.*
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Petruzzelli et al., “Bell's Palsy, a Diagnosis of Exclusion,” Postgraduate Medicine vol. 90, No. 2, 8/91, pp. 115-127.*
Seiff et al., “Management of Ophthalmic Complications of Facial Nerve Palsy,” Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, vol. 25, No. 3, 6/92, pp. 669-690.*
Townsend, “Eyelid Reanimation for the Treatment of Paralytic Lagophthalmos: Historical Perspectives and Current Applications of the Gold Weight Implant,” Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, vol. 8, No. 3, 1992 pp. 196-201.*
Muller-Jensen et al., Zur Operativen und Konservatinen Behandlung des Lagophthalmus (Fazialisparese), Ophthamologe (1993) 90:27-30, English Summary, p. 30.
Flehr Hohbach Test Albritton & Herbert LLP
Meddev Corporation
Nguyen Dinh X.
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