DR. THOMAS CLEMENT WHITE, M.D.
Medical Practice at Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD

6755858, Jun 29, 2004

Apr 7, 2000

09/545532

Thomas C. White - Sioux Falls SD 57105

A61F 214

623 512, 623 513

An implantable keratoprosthesis having a central lenticule and a peripheral annulus of corneal tissue. The keratoprosthesis includes a transparent polymeric lenticule having an elongated stem with a generally cylindrical outer surface and a central axis. On one end thereof, the stem carries a dome having a peripheral skirt extending outwardly from the axis beyond the cylindrical surface of the stem. An annulus of corneal tissue has a central bore within which the stem is received, the peripheral skirt contacting and overlying a portion of the corneal annulus adjacent the bore. A portion of the annulus extends outwardly beyond the peripheral skirt for attachment to a surgically prepared cornea. A ring of polymeric material is received over the stem to capture between the ring and the skirt the corneal annulus. The ring is attached to the stem, as by welding and/or by use of a tissue-adherent, biologically acceptable adhesive disposed between the cylindrical surface of the stem and the bore of the annulus to form a strong, liquid-tight seal between the stem and annulus.

5139518, Aug 18, 1992

Mar 21, 1990

7/496635

Thomas C. White - Sioux Falls SD

A61F 214

623 5

Prosthetic devices and methods are described that can be employed in replacing corneal endothelial tissue to allow the diseased or damaged corneal endothelial tissue to be replaced without replacing the outer layers of the patient's cornea and/or to replace the full thickness of the cornea in a manner resulting in less deformation of the outermost surface of the cornea (i. e. less astigmatism) than occurs with current full thickness transplant techniques. A partial outer thickness of tissue is removed from a patient's cornea by making a cut generally transverse to the axis of vision; a plug of the remaining portion of the patient's cornea from the area in which the outer thickness of tissue was removed is removed, the plug including Descemet's membrane and corneal endothelial cells, thereby forming a bore through the cornea; and an ocular implant sized and shaped to fit closely in said bore and to cover the area of the remaining portion of the patient's cornea from which the outer thickness of tissue was removed is placed in the bore. A corneal prosthesis of the invention includes a dome-shaped anterior cap component sized and configured to replace a partial thickness anterior portion of a cornea of an eye, and a posterior plug component extending posteriorly of the anterior portion sized and configured to replace a full thickness portion of the cornea, the plug component having a width smaller than the width of the cap component.

4886488, Dec 12, 1989

Aug 4, 1988

7/229746

Thomas C. White - Sioux Falls SD

A61M 100

604 9

A device and method for allowing fluid to flow from the interior of the eye into the nasolacrimal drainage system associated with the eye to relieve high intraocular pressure in the treatment of glaucoma. The method employs a flexible tube having one end extendable into the anterior chamber of the eye and having its other end in communication with the nasolacrimal drainage system of the eye. A one-way valve is provided within the tube to restrain liquid flow to a direction from the anterior chamber of the eye toward the lacrimal drainage system. The method includes the steps of inserting one end of the tube into the anterior chamber of the eye and inserting the other end of the tube into a portion of the nasolacrimal drainage system; aqueous humor is permitted to escape into the tube at the anterior chamber end, and flows outwardly into the passages of the nasolacrimal system. One or more one-way valve within the tube permit fluid flow only away from the anterior chamber.

4729761, Mar 8, 1988

Nov 27, 1985

6/802574

Thomas C. White - Sioux Falls SD

A61M 500

604 8

A tissue-implantable fluid-dissipating device enabling fluid from a source to be delivered to and absorbed by tissue of the eye. In one embodiment the device includes a base plate having a radius of curvature approximately equal to that of the human eye and a second plate peripherally joined to the base plate along a portion of its periphery to form an orifice, the second plate extending at least partially over but spaced from the base plate to form a cavity and having a radius of curvature less than that of the base plate. The device also includes attachment means for communicating a tube end with the cavity that is positioned to permit an attached tube to lie generally parallel to the base plate.

4554918, Nov 26, 1985

Jul 28, 1982

6/402774

Thomas C. White - Sioux Falls SD

A61M 2700, A61F 100

604 10

A prosthetic device for the relief of high intraocular pressures associated with glaucoma is shown. The device includes a limp reservoir adapted to be worn against or within the eye wall, a conduit leading from the reservoir to the anterior chamber of the eye, and means for communicating the reservoir with liquid-receptive tissue. Unidirectional flow means, such as a check valve, is employed to prevent back-flow of liquid into the anterior chamber. When the reservoir is periodically compressed, aqueous humor collected in the reservoir is expelled into liquid-receptive tissue where it is absorbed or is passed to the venous system.

4549529, Oct 29, 1985

Oct 11, 1985

6/540344

Thomas C. White - Sioux Falls SD

A61B 1900, A61F 100

128 1R

A prosthesis having an elongated strip of flexible material bearing intermediate its length a pressure pad, the strip ranging in length from about 50 to about 75 mm. The strip is passed behind the globe of the eye so that the pressure pad rests against the eye wall at a location obverse to the macula. The ends of the strip are attached, as by sutures, to the sclera, causing the pressure pad to press anteriorly upon the eye wall and to move the macula forwardly. Various pressure pads, including adjustable pads, such as pads that are inflatable, are disclosed.

4513456, Apr 30, 1985

Jun 30, 1983

6/509420

Thomas C. White - Sioux Falls SD

A61F 116, A61F 124

3 13

An intraocular lens device is described which includes a fixation element in the form of an elongated, resilient strut extending outwardly of the lens for contact with supportive eye structure and thence inwardly toward the lens, the strut having a free end. A second strut also is carried by the lens adjacent the first mentioned strut and provides an open end oriented to receive and immobilize said free end, thereby restraining the latter from substantial movement within the eye.

4542540, Sep 24, 1985

Jun 8, 1983

6/502312

Thomas C. White - Sioux Falls SD

A61F 116, A61F 124

623 6

An intraocular lens device is provided with fixation elements for centering it in the eye. At least one of the fixation elements comprises an elongated resilient strut carried at one end by the lens and having a first portion extending outwardly of the lens generally toward circumferential eye structure, the second portion having a contacting surface engageable with the eye structure, and a third portion extending from the contact surface generally inwardly toward the lens for a distance, measured radially inwardly toward the lens axis, of at least about two-fifths of the radial distance of the contact surface from the lens axis. The third portion has a free end, providing the at least one fixation element with substantial elastic flexibility. The generally inwardly-extending third portion of the strut prevents the end of the strut from becoming captured by a peripheral iridectomy opening.

4772283, Sep 20, 1988

Dec 9, 1987

7/130748

Thomas C. White - Sioux Falls SD

A61F 214

623 5

An implant prosthesis for replacing a full or partial thickness of a cornea. Prosthesis includes a transparent lens portion, and a carrier of preserved, denatured tissue. The lens is attached to the carrier which in turn is adapted for attachment to the eye wall.