Scleral Depressor

Abstract

A scleral depressor (10, 110, 220) includes an elongated handle (12, 112, 212) defining a first axis. An extension member (24, 124, 224) has one end (20) attached to the proximal end (16) of the handle and includes a blade (28, 128, 228) at the remote end thereof. The extension member defines a second axis and extends from the handle at approximately 90° thereby defining a plane. A bulbous (28, 228) or cylindrically shaped (128) blade located at the remote end of the extension member has its rounded surface (30, 32 or 130, 132 or 230, 232) extending out of the plane. By properly manipulating the handle, such as by rotating the same, the rounded surface of the blade is used to depress the sclera.

1 . A scleral depressor comprising:
 an elongated handle having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a first axis;   an extension member having a first end attached to the proximal end of said handle and having a second remote end, said extension member defining a second axis which is between approximately 90° to 120° from said first axis; said first and second axes defining a plane, and   a blade carried by said extension member at the remote end thereof, said blade including a first rounded surface extending out of said plane in a first direction approximately 90 degrees from said plane.   
     
     
         2 . The scleral depressor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said blade includes a second rounded surface extending out of said plane in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The scleral depressor as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said blade is bulbous shaped extending in all directions about the axis of the extension member. 
     
     
         4 . The scleral depressor as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said blade is substantially cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The scleral depressor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the angle between said first and second axes is approximately 90°. 
     
     
         6 . A method for depressing portion of the sclera of an eye during an examination or surgery comprising:
 providing a scleral depressor having an elongated handle with a distal end and a proximal end and defining a first axis, said depressor further having an extension member with a first end attached to the proximal end of said handle and having a second remote end, said extension member defining a second axis which is between approximately 90° to 120° from said first axis, said first and second axes defining a plane, and a blade carried by said extension member at the remote end thereof, said blade including a first rounded surface extending out of said plane in a first direction approximately 90 degrees from said plane;   positioning said blade adjacent the sclera at the desired position, and   moving said blade in said first direction to depress the sclera.   
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said blade is moved by rotating said handle about its axis. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said blade is bulbous in shape and can be moved in any direction to depress the sclera.