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EP0248520A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Endophotocoagulation probe
Assignee: The Schepens Eye Research Institute Inc
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Filing: 1987-04-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-04-24
Abstract
Abstract An endophotocoagulation probe has a probe tip (112) adapted for insertion into an eye, and includes an optical fiber (102) for carrying light from a source thereof and a lens (105) for focusing the light from the fiber onto target tissue at a desired working distance. The lens (105) forms a convergent beam, with the waist of the beam providing a spot of maximum power density whose size is independent of the ocular medium. A positioner (101) provides selective variation of the spacing between the lens (105) and the fiber (102) from a plurality of predetermined spacings, so as to achieve plural different spot sizes, each having a predetermined power density. Spot sizes may range from 50 to 500 microns. A microprocessor may be used to control lens position and light input power in accordance with the selected spot size, and the user may select a collimated, or different divergent or convergent beams, without having to withdraw the instrument from the eye.
Inventors
- 👤 Michail M. Pankratov
- 👤 Oleg Pomerantzeff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:15
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/32; A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00821; A61B2018/00636; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00863
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An endophotocoagulation probe for the application of light energy of a desired power to a target region of tissue within the eye of a subject, such probe comprising a probe tip (e.g. 16, 112) adapted for insertion into the eye and having a light output end, an optical fiber (2, 50, 102) in said probe tip which conducts light energy from a source to a light emitting fiber end (52, 63), a convergent lens (4) within the light output end of said probe tip, and means for positioning (6, 25, 101, 92) the fiber end and lens at a desired spacing so as to form a desired output beam of light energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An endophotocoagulation probe for the application of light energy of a desired power to a target region of tissue within the eye of a subject, such probe comprising a probe tip (e.g. 16, 112) adapted for insertion into the eye and having a light output end, an optical fiber (2, 50, 102) in said probe tip which conducts light energy from a source to a light emitting fiber end (52, 63), a convergent lens (4) within the light output end of said probe tip, and means for positioning (6, 25, 101, 92) the fiber end and lens at a desired spacing so as to form a desired output beam of light energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A probe according to claim 1, wherein the convergent lens (4) is formed of material having a variable refractive index.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
A probe according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the positioning means comprises a variable-positioning means for positioning the fiber end (52, 63) at any selected one of a plurality of desired spacings with respect to the convergent lens so as to attain any one of a corresponding plurality of spot sizes, each said spot size being convergently formed in a respective focal region spaced from the said light output end of the probe tip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
A probe according to claim 3, wherein the variable-positioning means comprises a first member (110) carrying the optical fiber (102) and having a stop member (120) thereon, a second member (104) carrying the convergent lens (105), said second member being mated with the first member and having a stop-engaging member (115) thereon, the stop member (120) and stop-engaging member (115) determining a plurality of offset positions of the first and second members (110, 104) thereby determining the plurality of desired spacings of the fiber end and the convergent lens (105) by relative movement of said first and second members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A probe according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the variable-positioning means includes a drive member (101) actuable by user manipulation directed parallel to the probe tip for effecting the positioning.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A probe according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fiber and lens are each carried by respective sheaths (12, 16; 103, 104) which respective sheaths are mounted for telescoping motion one about the other, and wherein the variable-positioning means includes means for moving one of said sheaths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A probe according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the variable-positioning means further comprises means for positioning the fiber end at a distance from the convergent lens (4, 105) so as to attain at least one of a collimated beam and a divergent beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A probe according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising micropositioning means (92) for controlling the relative spacing of the fiber end and the convergent lens, and control means (93) for electronically controlling operation of the micropositioning means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A probe according to claim 8, wherein the optical fiber is couped to a light source (97) and wherein the control means (93) further comprises means for controlling at least one of the state (on/off) and the intensity of the light source (97).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A probe according to claim 2, comprising a first tubular member (12) carrying the optical fiber, a second tubular member (16) carrying the convergent lens (4), the first and second tubular members being mounted for telescoping motion one about the other, and means (25) for controllably moving at least one of the first and second tubular members so as to achieve the positioning.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A probe according to claim 10, wherein the means for moving is operable to position the fiber and lens to achieve plural operation-selectable convergent beams.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A probe according to claim 11, wherein the said means for positioning positions the fiber and lens to achieve at least one of a collimated beam and a divergent beam.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for defining the spacing of a light-applying probe from a target region of tissue within an eye, the method comprising the steps of inserting into the eye a probe tip having a light output end, providing an optical fiber in the probe tip for conducting light energy from a source to a light emitting fiber end, providing a convergent lens within the light output end of said probe tip, said lens preferably being formed of material having a variable refractive index, positioning the fiber end and lens at a desired spacing so as to form an output beam of light energy having a defined focal spot, and moving the probe to position the focal spot on the target region, thereby defining the spacing of the probe therefrom.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for defining the spacing of a light-applying probe from a target region of tissue within an eye, the method comprising the steps of inserting into the eye a probe tip having a light output end, providing an optical fiber in the probe tip for conducting light energy from a source to a light emitting fiber end, providing a convergent lens within the light output end of said probe tip, said lens preferably being formed of material having a variable refractive index, positioning the fiber end and lens at a desired spacing so as to form an output beam of light energy having a defined focal spot, and moving the probe to position the focal spot on the target region, thereby defining the spacing of the probe therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of positioning comprises variably-positioning said fiber end at any selected one of a plurality of desired spacings with respect to the convergent lens so as to attain any one of a corresponding plurality of spot sizes, each of the spots being convergently formed in a respective focal region spaced from the said light output end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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