Intraocular Expansion and Retention Devices and Methods

Abstract

An intraocular expansion and retention device (“IERD”) expands the iris, enlarging the pupil during intraocular surgery, and can be removed following the procedure without damaging the eye tissue. The intraocular expansion and retention device includes a number of stepped blades that form pockets to cup the iris margins and expand the pupil allowing increased visualization during intraocular surgery.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device to maintain a pupil opening in an extended position during an intraocular procedure, the device comprising:
 a body forming a central opening, the body having a top band section and spaced apart stepped blades;   each of the stepped blades forming an outwardly facing pocket to receive tissue; and   the top band forming a gap above each of the pockets.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises compression bends that define an expansion force to decompress the body. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the expansion force is approximately 2 grams. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the expansion force is approximately 1.7 to 2.3 grams. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stepped blades are spaced at equal distances a part. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the stepped blades comprises a leg extending vertically downward from the top band and a foot extending outward from the leg relative to the central opening, wherein the pocket is formed by the leg and the foot. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an inside diameter of the body when decompressed is about 7 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an inside diameter of the body when decompressed is 7 mm or greater. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an inside diameter of the body when decompressed is 8 mm or greater. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the stepped blades comprises a pair of spaced apart legs each extending downward from the top band section to respective outwardly extending feet, wherein the pocket is defined by the feet and the legs. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , comprising four stepped blades. 
     
     
         12 . An intraocular method, comprising:
 compressing a circular body comprising a first pocket, a second pocket, a third pocket, and a fourth pocket positioned vertically below a top band section, wherein the pockets are equally spaced around the body;   inserting an iris margin in the first pocket of the compressed circular body;   inserting the iris margin into the second pocket and the third pocket of the circular body, wherein the second and third pockets are located circumferentially opposite one another;   decompressing the circular body before inserting the iris margin in the fourth pocket; and   inserting the iris margin in the fourth pocket thereby expanding a pupillary opening.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the expanded pupillary opening is a substantially symmetrical opening. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the body expands the pupillary opening to approximately 7 mm or greater. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the body has eight points of fixation on the iris margin when the iris margin is inserted into all of the pockets. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each of the pockets is positioned below a respective gap formed in the top band section. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the compressing the body comprises:
 positioning the circular body in a decompressed state in a passage of a cartridge, wherein the passage is defined between face sides of opposing members; and   moving one of the face sides toward the other face side thereby compressing the body.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 an injector is connected to a first open end of the passage and a nozzle is connected to a second open end of the passage; and   the first pocket is positioned adjacent to the nozzle and the fourth pocket is positioned adjacent to the injector.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein:
 inserting the iris margin in the first pocket comprises advancing the compressed body through a tip of the nozzle, wherein the iris margin is disposed in the first pocket prior to advancing the whole of the compressed body out of the nozzle; and   inserting the iris margin in the second and the third pockets comprises receiving the iris margin in the second and third pockets as the body is decompressed.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein inserting the iris margin in the fourth pocket comprises:
 gripping with an instrument a portion of the decompressed body; and   manipulating a portion of a the body below the iris margin using the instrument.