Ring used in a small pupil phacoemulsification procedure

Abstract

A ring that can maintain a pupil in an extended position during an ophthalmic procedure. The ring has a plurality of loops that capture iris tissue. The ring is configured to extend the pupil when iris tissue is inserted into each loop. An ophthalmic procedure such as phacoemulsification can then be performed on the patient. The ring has a center opening that provides a wide view of the ocular chamber during the procedure.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A polygonal ring for expanding an eye of a patient during an ophthalmic procedure, the eye comprising an iris and a pupil, the polygonal ring comprising:
 a central opening;   at least three corners disposed along the polygonal ring, wherein each corner includes a loop comprising a wedge-shaped gap facing away from the central opening, the wedge-shaped gap configured to capture tissue of the iris therein; and   at least three side elements, each side element connecting adjacent corners of the at least three corners,   wherein the polygonal ring is configured to transition between (i) a collapsed configuration wherein a first corner and a second corner of the at least three corners are separated by a first distance, and (ii) an expanded configuration, wherein the first corner and the second corner are positioned opposite one another across the pupil and separated by a second distance greater than the first distance.   
     
     
         12 . The polygonal ring of  claim 11 , wherein the polygonal ring is formed from a strand. 
     
     
         13 . The polygonal ring of  claim 11 , wherein each loop comprises a top portion and a bottom portion that form the wedge-shaped gap. 
     
     
         14 . The polygonal ring of  claim 13 , wherein each side element connects the top portion and the bottom portion of adjacent corners. 
     
     
         15 . The polygonal ring of  claim 14 , wherein the top portion and the bottom portion of each loop are disposed at an angle with respect to one another. 
     
     
         16 . The polygonal ring of  claim 11 , wherein each loop makes at least one full turn. 
     
     
         17 . The polygonal ring of  claim 11 , wherein the at least three corners comprise four corners and the at least three side elements comprise four side elements. 
     
     
         18 . The polygonal ring of  claim 11 , wherein the at least three corners are disposed equidistantly along the polygonal ring. 
     
     
         19 . The polygonal ring of  claim 11 , wherein the first distance is substantially less than a diameter of the pupil and the second distance is substantially equal to a diameter of the pupil. 
     
     
         20 . The polygonal ring of  claim 11 , wherein the central opening is sized and configured to allow access to the pupil therethrough during the ophthalmic procedure, wherein the central opening is disposed in a plane between the at least three side elements and the at least three corners. 
     
     
         21 . A method of implanting a continuous iris-expanding ring in an eye of a patient, the eye comprising an iris and a pupil, the method comprising:
 ejecting the continuous iris-expanding ring from a distal end of a cannula toward an iris of the eye, wherein the continuous iris-expanding ring is in a collapsed configuration in the cannula prior to being ejected;   following ejecting the continuous iris-expanding ring from the distal end of the cannula,   securing a distal portion of the continuous iris-expanding ring to the iris; and   securing a proximal portion of the continuous iris-expanding ring to the iris,   wherein the continuous iris-expanding ring is in an expanded configuration when the proximal portion and the distal portion of the continuous iris-expanding ring are secured to the iris of the eye and are positioned opposite one another across the pupil.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising inserting the distal end of the cannula into the eye. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein inserting the distal end of the cannula into the eye comprises inserting the distal end of the cannula into an anterior chamber of the eye. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a first distance between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the continuous iris-expanding ring in the collapsed configuration is different from a second distance between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the continuous iris-expanding ring in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the continuous iris-expanding ring is fully expanded into the expanded configuration from the collapsed configuration after securing the distal portion of the continuous iris-expanding ring to the iris of the eye. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising securing a first lateral portion of the continuous iris-expanding ring to the iris of the eye. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising securing a second lateral portion of the continuous iris-expanding ring to the iris of the eye. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first lateral portion of the continuous iris-expanding ring is secured to the iris of the eye after the distal portion of the continuous iris-expanding ring is secured to the iris of the eye. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a proximal end of the cannula is connected to an inserter handle and the method further comprises sliding a slider on the inserter handle to retract the hook through the cannula. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising moving the proximal portion of the continuous iris-expanding ring away from the distal portion of the continuous iris-expanding ring while sliding the slider on the inserter.