Interocular injector

Abstract

An intraocular injector includes a syringe body having open-ended cone disposed in one end thereof along with a piston disposed in the body. A transparent implant holder having a lumen therein is aligned with an open-ended cone, a needle include a proximal end and a distal end with a bevel disposed on the distal end of the needle. A plunger affixed to the piston and slidable within a holder lumen and needle lumen is provided for injecting solid intraocular implants into an eye. A cylindrical syringe body shape facilitates control over the needle bevel orientation during injection of the implant into the eye.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An intraocular injector comprising:
 a syringe body having an open ended cone disposed on one end thereof;   a piston disposed within said body;   an implant holder having an implant holder lumen therein aligned with the open end of the cone;   a needle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle lumen extending therethrough;   a needle hub supporting the needle proximal end and attachable to the cone with the needle lumen aligned with the implant holder lumen;   a plunger fixed to said piston and slidable within the holder lumen and needle lumen for injecting the solid intraocular implants into an eye;   a bevel disposed on the distal end of said needle; and   a cylindrical syringe body shape facilitating longitudinal control over needle bevel placement during injection of the implant into the eye.   
     
     
         2 . The injector according to  claim 1  wherein the syringe body shape comprises circumferential ribs. 
     
     
         3 . The injector according to  claim 1  wherein the circumferential ribs have a hourglass profile in longitudinal cross-section. 
     
     
         4 . A method for implanting an ocular implant in an eye, the method comprising:
 providing an intraocular injector comprising a cylindrical syringe body with a plunger piston disposed therein and a needle attached to said syringe body the needle having a distal end with a bevel thereon;   placing the needle distal end proximate the eye and orienting the bevel by way of turning the cylindrical body to the desired bevel orientation;   inserting the needle distal end into the eye to a desired depth; and   operating the plunger/piston to force the ocular implant through a needle lumen into the eye.   
     
     
         5 . A method for implanting an ocular implant in an eye, the method comprising:
 providing an intraocular injector comprising a flatted cylindrical syringe body with a plunger piston disposed therein, and a needle, attachable to said syringe body, the needle having a distal end with a bevel thereon;   attaching said needle to said syringe using a needle hub with bevel aligned with the cylindrical body flat; and   placing the needle distal end proximate or in the eye and orienting the bevel by way of turning the cylindrical body as indicated by the flat.