Method for securing additional devices in an eye without interfering with vision

Abstract

A method of implanting includes steps of making a corneal incision of the eye, inserting the eye implantation device into the eye through the corneal incision and securing the eye implantation device by engaging the eye implantation device at three points with the iridocorneal angle of the anterior chamber of the eye into which the device is implanted.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of implanting an eye implantation device into an eye, comprising:
 making a corneal incision of the eye;   inserting the eye implantation device into the eye through the corneal incision; and   securing the eye implantation device by engaging the eye implantation device at three points with an iridocorneal angle of an anterior chamber of the eye into which the eye implantation device is implanted.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , including positioning the eye implantation device within the eye so that the eye implantation device does not cross an 8 mm diameter circle centered on a pupil of the eye into which the eye implantation device is implanted. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , including positioning the eye implantation device within the eye so as to be concealed behind an eyelid of the eye when the eyelid is in an open and relaxed state. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further including positioning an intraocular device in a receiver of the eye implantation device prior to inserting of the eye implantation device into the eye through the corneal incision. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , including selecting the intraocular device from a group of intraocular devices consisting of an intraocular pressure sensor, a miniature camera, a drug delivery system, an oxygen concentration sensor, an eye chemistry sensor and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including positioning an intraocular device in a receiver of the eye implantation device prior to inserting of the eye implantation device into the eye through the corneal incision. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , including folding the eye implantation device when inserting the eye implantation device into the eye through the corneal incision. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the corneal incision is a clear corneal incision used for cataract surgery. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the corneal incision is a clear corneal incision used for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. 
     
     
         10 . A method of implanting an eye implantation device into an eye, comprising:
 making a corneal incision of the eye;   inserting the eye implantation device into the eye through the corneal incision; and   securing the eye implantation device by engaging a barb of the eye implantation device with an iridocorneal angle of an anterior chamber of the eye into which the eye implantation device is implanted.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further including engaging additional supports of the eye implantation device with the iridocorneal angle of the anterior chamber of the eye wherein the barb and the additional supports are located on a common arc. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , including positioning the eye implantation device within the eye so that the eye implantation device does not cross an 8 mm diameter circle centered on a pupil of the eye into which the eye implantation device is implanted. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , including positioning the eye implantation device within the eye so as to be concealed behind an eyelid of the eye when the eyelid is in an open and relaxed state. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further including positioning an intraocular device in a receiver of the eye implantation device prior to inserting of the eye implantation device into the eye through the corneal incision. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , including selecting the intraocular device from a group of intraocular devices consisting of an intraocular pressure sensor, a miniature camera, a drug delivery system, an oxygen concentration sensor, an eye chemistry sensor and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further including positioning an intraocular device in a receiver of the eye implantation device prior to inserting of the eye implantation device into the eye through the corneal incision. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , including folding the eye implantation device when inserting the eye implantation device into the eye through the corneal incision. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the corneal incision is a clear corneal incision used for cataract surgery. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the corneal incision is a clear corneal incision used for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.