This ocular decompression process is a surgical procedure and a physical therapy for the alleviation of glaucoma. The invention contemplates a surgical operation on the eye, at which a metallic implant is introduced through the sclera into or adjacent to the anterior chamber of the eye. The extra-cameral portion of the implant, fashioned into a loop, is buried under fibrous and epithelial tissue. After the surgical incisions have healed, the coil of a tuned radio-frequency circuit is brought into the field of the implant by being positioned exterior to the eye. The implanted wire acts as the secondary of a radio-frequency transformer and generates heat sufficient to create a tract from the anterior chamber to the subconjunctival tissue. This tract serves as a drain through which the aqueous humor flows from the inside of the eye to its surface, thereby reducing the pathologically elevated intraocular pressure. The application of radio-frequency energy to the implant may be repeated as necessary to maintain satisfactory tension.
A technique in the treatment of tumors in humans utilizing radio frequency electromagnetic radiation to produce necrosis of the tumors by which intensification at the situs of the tumor of a radio frequency field applied across the portion of the body containing the tumor is obtained by positioning a small inductance element preferably in the form of a closed resonant circuit such that the inductance is in or adjacent to the tumor tissue and thus functions to concentrate the field at that location. Alternatively, rather than utilizing a resonant circuit, the inductance can be coupled to the output of the radio frequency generator utilized and applies the radio frequency electromagnetic field.
A method and apparatus for treating patients suffering from glaucoma. A hollow needle is inserted into the eye and advanced across the anterior chamber until the tip punctures the opposite anterior chamber angle wall, exiting the eye under the conjunctiva. The excess pressure is acutely relieved by seepage of the aqueous fluid into the subconjunctival space. A stainless steel helix is ejected from the hollow needle and lodged in the puncture wound of the anterior chamber wall. Sealing the anterior chamber angle puncture wound by normal healing processes is thus prevented and excess pressure is relieved chronically by aqueous fluid seepage through the wound to the subconjunctival space. In a variation of the technique the needle is not passed through the anterior chamber, but the helix is delivered ab externo into the chamber angle.
A non-invasive method and apparatus of reshaping the cornea to correct hyperopia, keratoconus, or myopia is described. The central stroma of the cornea is heated by microwave electromagnetic energy to the shrinkage temperature of collagen. The microwave applicator for heating stroma comprises an open-ended, coaxial antenna driven at 2450 MHz with apparatus for surface cooling of the cornea by flow of saline transverse to the antenna axis.
An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is curved so as to conform to the spherical anatomy of the eyeball. An annular sloped wall extends from the plate and surrounds the opening of the drainage tube into the plate. The plate is inserted beneath Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera utilizing temporary and non-dissolving permanent sutures. The annular wall provides a temporary sealing surface against the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the sclera and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate. The annular wall around the tube forms a temporary seal which restricts the drainage of aqueous fluid until formation of the bleb is completed. After bleb formation occurs, the temporary sutures around the wall are removed or dissolve. Once the temporary sutures are gone, the portion of the plate that is not stitched to the sclera floats within the bleb and breaks the seal between the implant and the sclera. Once the seal is broken, unrestricted flow between the anterior chamber and bleb is maintained.
An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is elliptical in-shape and curved so as to conform to the curvature of the eye. The plate is inserted into the eye in an incision made in the Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the Tenon's capsule and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing patent fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate. The flexible structure of the plate allows the plate to be easily inserted, thus reducing the surgical procedure length. In addition, the pliable material minimizes the risk of damage and trauma to surrounding tissues in the insertion process.
