Corneal implant retaining devices and methods of use
Corneal implant retaining devices and their methods of use. The retaining devices can be a cap adapted to be disposed over a portion of a corneal implant insertion device.
1. A method of removing fluid from a corneal implant insertion device prior to implanting the corneal implant, comprising:
providing a corneal implant insertion device and a cap disposed over at least a portion of a distal region of the insertion device, a first portion of the cap and a first portion of the distal region of the insertion device defining a fluid space in which a fluid is maintained;
removing at least a portion of the fluid from the fluid space through an opening in the cap; and
removing the cap from the distal region of the insertion device to provide access to a corneal implant retained by the insertion device.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein removing at least a portion of the fluid comprises positioning an absorbent material adjacent the opening to withdraw fluid through the opening.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein removing at least a portion of the fluid comprises aspirating the fluid from the fluid space through the opening with an aspiration device.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein removing at least a portion of the fluid comprises removing at least a portion of the fluid from the fluid space without removing all of a fluid disposed within the insertion device.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein removing at least a portion of the fluid comprises removing at least a portion of the fluid from the fluid space through a channel in the cap.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein removing at least a portion of the fluid comprises inserting an aspiration device within the channel and aspirating the fluid from the space with the aspiration device.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising removing the corneal implant from the insertion device and depositing the corneal implant onto corneal tissue.
8. A method of removing fluid from a corneal implant insertion device prior to implanting the corneal implant, comprising:
providing a corneal implant insertion device and a cap secured externally to a distal region of the insertion device, a fluid disposed in a fluid space between an inner surface of the cap and the distal region of the insertion device;
removing at least a portion of the fluid from the fluid space through an opening in the cap; and
removing the cap from the distal region of the insertion device to provide access to a corneal implant retained by the insertion device.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein removing at least a portion of the fluid comprises positioning an absorbent material adjacent the opening to withdraw fluid through the opening.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein removing at least a portion of the fluid comprises aspirating the fluid from the fluid space through the opening with an aspiration device.
11. A method of removing fluid from a corneal implant insertion device prior to implanting the corneal implant, comprising:
providing a corneal implant insertion device and a cap disposed outside of a distal region of the insertion device, a fluid disposed in a fluid space between an inner surface of the cap and the distal region of the insertion device;
removing at least a portion of the fluid from the fluid space through an opening in the cap; and
removing the cap from the distal region of the insertion device to provide access to a corneal implant retained by the insertion device.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein removing at least a portion of the fluid comprises positioning an absorbent material adjacent the opening to withdraw fluid through the opening.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein removing at least a portion of the fluid comprises aspirating the fluid from the fluid space through the opening with an aspiration device.