An eyelid implant for implanting in an upper eyelid of a person having a main body with a water-drop shape. The main body has a head end with a center of gravity at substantially a center point thereof, and a tail end. The diameter of the head end is greater than a diameter of the tail end. At least one suture hole extends completely through the main body. At least one suture channel extends partially through the main body to a predetermined depth. A suture is passed through the at least one suture hole for securing the eyelid implant to an eyelid of a user and said implant causes said eyelid to close.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to implants and, more specifically, to a gold weight eyelid implant that is shaped to conform substantially to the cornea and the eyeball in order to achieve an optimum center of gravity for maximum efficiency in aiding closure of the eyelid as well as an unobtrusive cosmetic result.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are other gold eyelid weights designed for implantation. Gold eyelid weights are well known in the art and are used for the treatment and functional rehabilitation of patients with deficient eyelid closure or ocular exposure, a complication often caused by facial nerve palsy. The implantation of gold eyelid weights in patient's eyelids has proven to be a safe, effective means for utilizing gravity to assist in satisfactory eye closure and partial recreation of a natural eye blink reflex.

There are, however, downsides in conventional gold eyelid weights known in the art, specifically the typical rectangular shape and uniform thickness thereof. The gold eyelid weight and eyelid travel adjacent the cornea, a bulbous projection emanating from the eyeball. A rectangular gold eyelid weight has a center of gravity close to the upper surface of the cornea and the eyeball thereby requiring a larger size gold eyelid weight to offset the center of gravity and accomplish full lid closure. Unfortunately, these larger size gold eyelid weights are prominently visible beneath the upper eyelid skin and are cosmetically undesirable.

Numerous types of eyelid implants have been provided in the prior art. For example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,137,728, 4,595,713, 5,164,188 and 6,482,428 all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,728

Inventor: Rajan Bawa

Issued: Aug. 11, 1992

An ocular insert for insertion into the cul de sac of the eye which is a substantially circular disc having a concave posterior surface and a convex anterior surface with a radius of curvature less than that of the sclera and a center thickness of less than about 1.5 mm

U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,713

Inventor: Kenneth St. John

Issued: Jun. 17, 1986

A medical implant useful in the regeneration of soft and hard connective tissue, such as cartilage and bone, is disclosed which comprises a copolymer of a major amount of epsilon caprolactone and a minor amount of lactide. Where regeneration of bone tissue, in particular, is desired, the copolymer may further include osteogenic material in powdered or particulate form. If soft tissue regeneration is desired, the copolymer may include chopped carbon fiber. A mass of the copolymer, optionally including additives, may be molded by hand by heating the polymer to a temperature of 115.degree. 160.degree. F., by, for example, immersion in hot water. The mass is then molded to the void to be filled or shape the regenerated tissue is desired to assume, and implanted in the patient. The mass is gradually

U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,188

Inventor: Vernon G. Wong

Issued: Nov. 17, 1992

Encapsulated agents are employed for introduction into the suprachoid of an eye for therapeutic purposes. The administration of drugs is controlled and maintained for long periods of time, while ensuring the substantial absence of significant levels outside the site of administration. While these gold eyelid weights may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,428

Inventor: Li et al.

Issued: Nov. 19, 2002

A weighted upper eyelid implants for assisting and achieving complete eyelid closure and partial recreation of a natural blinking reflex. The implant is formed of a main plate having suture channels extending partially therethrough for receiving a suture knot tied in a suture passing through an adjacent suture hole thereby securing the weighted implant to the eyelid while preserving a cosmetically pleasing image.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to implants and, more specifically, to a gold weight eyelid implant that is shaped to conform substantially to the cornea and the eyeball in order to achieve an optimum center of gravity for maximum efficiency in aiding closure of the eyelid as well as an unobtrusive cosmetic result.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a gold eyelid weight that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gold eyelid weight having an arcuate waterdrop-shape in cross section designed to create a center of gravity positioned in a manner to best utilize the gravitational pull thereupon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gold eyelid weight wherein the head thereof is substantially thicker and wider than the tip of the tail portion thereby concentrating the mass of the device therein.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a gold eyelid weight wherein the tail portion thereof is dynamically thin and lies unobtrusively above the eyeball.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a gold eyelid weight that when shown in cross section tapers gradually as it follows the curvature of the eyeball from the center to the top.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a gold eyelid weight that requires less weight and size to work as effectively as other gold eyelid weights known in the art.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a gold eyelid weight that is less visible when implanted than conventional gold eyelid weights.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gold eyelid weight that is inexpensive to manufacture.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a gold eyelid weight that is simple and easy to use.

The present invention seeks to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a gold eyelid weight that is waterdrop-shaped in profile to substantially conform to the curvature of the cornea and eyeball. The front portion of the gold eyelid weight of the present invention is thick and represents the majority of the weight thereof as it tapers dramatically towards the tail. This unique design shifts the load to the front which moves forward and downward in an arcuate manner more effectively than the prior art due to the forwardly positioned center of gravity. The gold eyelid weight of the present invention provides enhanced utilization of gravitational force thereby requiring a smaller and lighter gold eyelid weight to achieve the same results as the bulkier gold eyelid weights known in the art.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
 

Claim 1 of 11 Claims

1. An eyelid implant comprising: a) a curved main body shaped to conform substantially to a cornea and an eyeball of a user and having in a cross section a water-drop shape with an enlarged head end and a narrowed tail end and a center of gravity of said main body being at substantially a center point of said enlarged head end, a diameter of said head end being substantially greater than a diameter of said tail end; b) at least one suture hole extending completely through said main body; and c) at least one suture channel, extending partially through said main body to a predetermined depth, wherein a suture is passed through said at least one suture hole for securing said eyelid implant to an eyelid of a user and said implant causes said eyelid to close.

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