Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Thermal applicators
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-13
2001-06-12
Dvorak, Linda C. M. (Department: 3739)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Thermal applicators
C606S004000, C606S005000, C606S041000, C606S048000, C606S050000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246913
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention is directed to the field of ophthalmic surgery and is specifically directed to methods for the relief of strabismus by the retensioning of ocular muscles using radio frequency modification of collagen in tendons.
2. Background
Strabismus is a misalignment between the two eyes such that the two visual axes do not intersect the point of regard. Between one and four percent of the childhood population is effected by strabismus. “The annual number of surgical operations for strabismus (close to 700,000 or 11 percent of all ophthalmic procedures) is exceeded only by cataract surgery . . . ” (National Advisory Eye Council, 1994). Typically, onset is in childhood, but can occur later in life due to lesions in the oculomotor pathway.
Correction of misalignment early in life is central to the development of normal binocular vision and the prevention of amblyopia. Accordingly, strabismus surgery is performed as early in life as possible, and is typically performed under general anesthesia in children and most adults.
In 20% to 50% of patients, repeat surgery is required due to post-operative under- or overcorrection. Repeat surgery places the patient at additional per procedure risk. In addition, secondary surgical procedures are often complicated by the presence of scar tissue and tissue adhesions, with the outcomes being compromised accordingly.
Conventional surgical procedures strengthen the action of an extraocular muscle by resection, advancement, and tucking of the extraocular muscle. In each instance, the muscle's tendon is cut free of the eye at its insertion into the sclera and then sutured back onto the globe. The muscle's tendon may be shortened by cutting off a predetermined amount.
Surgically weakening the action of an extraocular muscle, which is often done in conjunction with strengthening the action of the antagonist, will consist of one of two basic approaches. In one approach the muscle insertion is cut and sutured to the eye at a more posterior position. In the other approach, marginal myotomy, incisions are made part way through the tendon such that the tendon is thinned and elongated.
In the past few years crystallized botulinum toxin, which acts by blocking the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, has been used for the temporary partial paralysis of the extraocular muscles. The therapeutic effect with this treatment modality is variable and decreases over time.
Risks associated with conventional strabismus surgery include perforation of the globe when suturing the tendon; variable motor effectiveness, due to the difficulty in quantifying tucking, resection, advancement, and recession procedures; tissue scaring; and tissue adhesions.
Accordingly, there is a need for new surgical techniques and apparatuses that simplify surgical operation and reduce risks associated with strabismus surgery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for correcting strabismus that does not require surgical incision of extraocular muscle tendons.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an electrosurgical apparatus satisfactory for use in strabismus.
These and other objects of the invention have been accomplished by a surgical heating probe, comprising a handle, a radio-frequency-shielded neck extending from the handle and having an unshielded cathode and an unshielded anode present in the neck with a shielded insulating section of the neck located between the cathode and the unshielded anode, the neck being formed so that three points located in the cathode, the anode, and the insulating section, respectively, form points of a triangular plane, the cathode, the anode, and the insulating section being spaced apart at distances adapted so that the cathode and the anode can closely approach opposite sides of an animal tendon, and an energy connector fixture located in the handle and adapted to connect a supply of heating energy to the anode and the cathode. The probe is particularly useful for the treatment of strabismus, and the invention preferably involves the use of radio frequency heating to shrink or loosen extraocular tendons in the treatment of strabismus.
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Dvorak Linda C. M.
Kearney R.
Oractec Interventions, Inc.
Weitz David J.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
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