DR. JAMES C HAYS, MD
Medical Practice at Mount Vernon Hwy, Atlanta, GA

2006011, Jun 1, 2006

Nov 30, 2004

10/999567

Spencer Thornton - Nashville TN, US
James Hays - Atlanta GA, US

A61F 2/14, A61F 9/013

623004100, 128898000

As humans age, there is a general loss of accommodation, termed presbyopia, which eventually leaves the eye unable to focus on near objects. This loss in ability to focus on near objects is a consequence of continued growth of the lens and crowding of the lens, zonules and ciliary body within the posterior chamber. Expansion of the posterior chamber is achieved by placing radial incisions in the sclera over the ciliary body. The method of correcting presbyopia according to the present invention is by making permanent the expansion of the sclera produced by incisions made in the sclera over the ciliary muscle by means of tissue barriers placed in the incisions, preventing contraction of the incision, and acting as a retainer of the increased circumference. With expansion of the posterior chamber, the effective working distance between the lens and ciliary muscle is restored and presbyopia reversed. The tissue barriers of the present invention are solid bars containing pre-placed integral sutures for fixation. Primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension can be treated by increasing the effective working range of the ciliary muscle according to the invention.

2006011, Jun 1, 2006

Oct 12, 2005

11/248409

Spencer Thornton - Nashville TN, US
James Hays - Atlanta GA, US
Hideharu Fukasaku - Yokahama, JP

A61F 2/14, A61F 9/013

623004100, 128898000

As humans age, there is a general loss of accommodation, termed presbyopia, which eventually leaves the eye unable to focus on near objects. This loss in ability to focus on near objects is a consequence of continued growth of the lens and crowding of the lens, zonules and ciliary body within the posterior chamber. Expansion of the posterior chamber is achieved by placing radial incisions in the sclera over the ciliary body. The method of correcting presbyopia according to the present invention is by making permanent the expansion of the sclera produced by incisions made in the sclera over the ciliary muscle by means of tissue barriers placed in the incisions, preventing contraction of the incision, and acting as a retainer of the increased circumference. With expansion of the posterior chamber, the effective working distance between the lens and ciliary muscle is restored and presbyopia reversed. The tissue barriers of the present invention are solid bars containing pre-placed integral sutures for fixation.

2004026, Dec 23, 2004

Aug 4, 2004

10/487794

James Hays - Atlanta GA, US

A61B017/08

606/215000, 623/004100, 128/898000

A tissue barrier (), for example of titanium alloy, for insertion into an incision in sclera of the eye for the treatment of conditions such as presbyopia, comprises an elongate body which is inert and/or non-reactive in tissue. The barrier can include lateral flanges () or not. In a preferred embodiment the barrier has an inverted T-shaped cross-section.

2004022, Nov 4, 2004

Jun 7, 2004

10/482197

Terence Waldock - Bedfordshire, GB
James Hays - Atlanta GA, US

B26B019/28, A61B017/32

606/167000, 030/042000

A knife for ophthalmic surgery has a diamond blade () which protrudes at the forward end of a handle () through a slot in a footplate (). The surface of the footplate which contracts the tissue (cornea or sclera, for example) to be incised has irregular castellations (′) forming irregular grooves (′) therebetween. Alternatively or in addition, the contact surface has protruding pins () which engage the tissue (sclera, usually) to be incised.