Thomas W Tyler

US Patent:

7470286, Dec 30, 2008

Filed:

Apr 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/060811

Inventors:

Thomas D. Tyler - San Carlos CA, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/14

US Classification:

623 41, 606107

Abstract:

A device and method of use thereof for incrementally adjusting the size and/or shape of a particular body part is provided. The device comprises first and second layers each formed of a synthetic resin. The first layer is formed of a heat-shrinkable material having a low melting point while the second layer has a melting point much higher than the first layer. Upon being subjected to energy, the first layer will shrink or contract causing the second layer, and thus the overall device, to bend in the direction of contraction. In use, the device is inserted into the particular body part after which energy is applied to the device so as to cause the body to expand, move, reshape, etc. The invention is particularly useful for treatment of accommodative disorders of the eye by positioning one or more of the devices within the eye sclera or attached to the sclera around the limbus so that the sclera and ciliary body are expanded away from the crystalline lens upon being of the device.

US Patent:

7628809, Dec 8, 2009

Filed:

Aug 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/187281

Inventors:

Thomas D. Tyler - San Carlos CA, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/14

US Classification:

623 41, 606107

Abstract:

A device and method of use thereof for incrementally adjusting the size and/or shape of a particular body part is provided. The device comprises first and second layers each formed of a synthetic resin. The first layer is formed of a heat-shrinkable material having a low melting point while the second layer has a melting point much higher than the first layer. Upon being subjected to energy, the first layer will shrink or contract causing the second layer, and thus the overall device, to bend in the direction of contraction. In use, the device is inserted into the particular body part after which energy is applied to the device so as to cause the body to expand, move, reshape, etc. The invention is particularly useful for treatment of accommodative disorders of the eye by positioning one or more of the devices within the eye sclera or attached to the sclera around the limbus so that the sclera and ciliary body are expanded away from the crystalline lens upon being of the device.

US Patent:

8236052, Aug 7, 2012

Filed:

Oct 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/607275

Inventors:

Thomas D. Tyler - San Carlos CA, US

International Classification:

A61F 2/14
A61B 18/18

US Classification:

623 41, 606 5

Abstract:

A device and method of use thereof for incrementally adjusting the size and/or shape of a particular body part is provided. The device comprises first and second layers each formed of a synthetic resin. The first layer is formed of a heat-shrinkable material having a low melting point while the second layer has a melting point much higher than the first layer. Upon being subjected to energy, the first layer will shrink or contract causing the second layer, and thus the overall device, to bend in the direction of contraction. In use, the device is inserted into the particular body part after which energy is applied to the device so as to cause the body to expand, move, reshape, etc. The invention is particularly useful for treatment of accommodative disorders of the eye by positioning one or more of the devices within the eye sclera or attached to the sclera around the limbus so that the sclera and ciliary body are expanded away from the crystalline lens upon being of the device.

US Patent:

20170014270, Jan 19, 2017

Filed:

Jul 13, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/797450

Inventors:

Thomas D. Tyler - San Carlos CA, US

International Classification:

A61F 9/007

Abstract:

A position sensitive implant is described which comprises a flow channel which is provided with a value which will automatically adjust flow rate through the flow channel depending on whether the flow channel is generally vertical or generally horizontal. The implant may be a shunt used to treat glaucoma.

US Patent:

20150320598, Nov 12, 2015

Filed:

Mar 11, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/645115

Inventors:

Thomas D. Tyler - San Carlos CA, US

International Classification:

A61F 9/007

Abstract:

A method is described for treating glaucoma by surgically implanting a shape recoverable member in the sclera of the eye. The shape recovery member is adapted to recover involutely when shape recovery is caused to occur. The bending of the shape recoverable member during its recovery exerts pressure on longitudinal ciliary muscle to supply tension to and open the trabecular meshwork. As a result, aqueous humor flows more freely and reduces the intraocular pressure.