GB2507285A - Eyelid retractor - Google Patents

Abstract

An eyelid retractor or speculum comprises a U- or V-shaped wire spring 11 with eyelid-engaging formations 12 at the ends comprising plastic blades. Preferably the blades 12 are moulded onto the wire ends and the ends are doubled back to provide purchase for the blades 12. Optionally, the blades 12 are made of unbreakable, latex free polypropylene and are contoured to fit comfortably on the eyeball. The blades 12 may be transparent or translucent.

Description

Eyelid Retractor This invention relates to eyelid retractors.

An eyelid retractor, or speculum, is an instrument for holding open a patient's eyelid during examination or treatment of the eye or surrounding tissue.

In its simplest form it comprises a V-shaped wire spring with eyelid-engaging formations at the ends. The spring is compressed to insert the formations under the lids, and then released to hold them open. The formations are either open wire formations or metal blades.

Improvements to and adaptations of this basic design have been proposed. 1JS8257256 IS discloses a more complicated construction moulded from a thermoplastic polymer, particularly acetol. The eyelid-engaging formation comprises a semicircular deflector plate that in use is inserted beneath the lid and ball-ended posts that sit outside the lid.

This alTangement is said to be better at holding the eyelashes out of the viewing or operating field than the conventional wire formations, and the posts are claimed to give a better view during insertion than the conventional model with metal blades.

The present invention provides an improved eyelid retractor, based on the conventional design, without the complexity of the retractor disclosed in 1JS8257256.

The invention comprises an eyelid retractor comprising a Ii-or V-shaped wire spring with eyelid-engaging formations at the ends comprising plastic blades.

The blades may be attached to the wire ends by being moulded thereonto.

The blades may be made of unbreakable, latex-free polypropylene, and be contoured to fit comfortably on the eyeball.

The blades may be transparent or translucent, giving a better view during insertion than metal blades. They are more comfortable, however, than the conventional wire formations.

Perhaps above all, they are more likely to keep the patient at ease during insertion and while in place.

Ai eyelid retractor according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional prior art retractor; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a retractor according to the invention The eyelid retractor illustrated in the Figure comprises a U-or V-shaped wire spring 11 with eyelid-engaging formations 12 at the ends.

Tn the conventional retractor of Figure I, the formations 12 comprise open wire formations bent from the same wire that is used for the spring 11. These are not comfortable in use, despite the eye usually being anaesthetised, and often give rise to patient apprehension, as do solid metal blades, which, however, as noted in US8257256, can obscure the surgeon's or ophthalmologists view during insertion.

IntheretractorofFigure2,thespring 11 ismoreorlessthesameasinthe priorart refractor Figure 1, but instead of being bent into the open retractor formations 12 thereof, the ends are simply doubled back to provide purchase for a moulded-on plastic formation 12. The formations 12 are contoured to make them fit comfortably.

IS The preferred plastic is an unbreakable, latex-free polypropylene that is transparent or translucent.

Claims (3)

1. Ca;ms: 1 An eyelid retractor comprising a U-or V-shaped wire spring with eyelid-engaging formations at the ends comprising plastic blades.
2. 2 An eyelid retractor according to claim 1, in which the blades are attached to the wire ends by being moulded thereonto.
3. 3 An eyelid retractor according to claim 2, in which the ends of the wires are doubled back to provide purchase for the moulded-on blades 4 An eyelid retractor according to any one of claims I to 3, in which the blades are made of unbreakable, latex-free polypropylene.5 An eyelid retractor according to any one of claims ito 4, in which the blades are contoured to fit comfortably on the eyeball.6 An eyelid retractor according to any one of claims i to 5, in which the blades are transparent or translucent 7 An eyelid retractor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the drawings.