Ophthalmic marking device and method of using same

Abstract

An ophthalmic marking device is provided herein for marking a patient's eye. The device may include a handle and a tip with a tip element, a first portion of the tip element protruding from the tip to be exposed. The tip element is electrically conductive to resistively generate heat with electrical flow therethrough. A source of electrical power is associated with the device and electrically coupled to the tip element. The source of the electrical power and the tip element are configured to cause the first portion of the tip element to have a temperature in a range of 250° F.-450° F. Advantageously, the subject invention provides for a relatively low-cost device for marking a patient's eye and allows for creating a less traumatic marking on a patient's eye as compared to higher temperature electrocautery devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ophthalmic marking device for marking a patient's eye, the device comprising:
 a handle;   a tip on said handle;   an electrically conductive tip element at least partially within said tip, a first portion of said tip element protruding from said tip to be exposed; and,   an electrical power storage associated with the device, said electrical power storage being electrically connectable to said conductive tip element,   wherein, said tip element and said electrical power storage are configured so that, with electrical flow through said tip element caused by said electrical power storage, heat is resistively generated in said tip element with temperature in the range of 250° F.-450° F. at said first portion of said tip element.   
     
     
         2 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 1 , wherein said electrical power storage is a battery having a voltage of at least 0.75 volts. 
     
     
         3 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 1 , wherein said electrical power storage has a voltage of 0.75-6.0 volts. 
     
     
         4 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 3 , wherein said electrical power storage has a voltage of 0.75-3.0 volts. 
     
     
         5 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 4 , wherein said electrical power storage has a voltage of 1.5 volts. 
     
     
         6 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 1 , wherein said electrical power storage is a battery contained within said handle. 
     
     
         7 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 6 , wherein said tip is removably mountable to said handle. 
     
     
         8 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 7 , wherein said tip element includes first and second leads, said handle having one or more electrical contacts configured to engage said first and second leads so as to allow for electrical conduction therebetween. 
     
     
         9 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 8 , wherein said one or more electrical contacts are configured to insertingly receive said first and second leads. 
     
     
         10 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 1 , wherein said tip is removably mountable to said handle. 
     
     
         11 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 10 , wherein said tip element includes first and second leads, said handle having one or more electrical contacts configured to engage said first and second leads so as to allow for electrical conduction therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 11 , wherein said one or more electrical contacts are configured to insertingly receive said first and second leads. 
     
     
         13 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 10 , wherein said tip element is metallic, and, wherein, said tip includes an insulative covering about said tip element. 
     
     
         14 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 1 , wherein said tip is permanently affixed to said handle. 
     
     
         15 . An ophthalmic marking device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a switch for selectively electrically connecting said electrical power storage with said tip element.