US4712543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for recurving the cornea of an eye
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-07-23
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Granted: 1987-12-15
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Expires: 2004-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A process for predictably recurving the cornea of an eye by disposing light-absorbing color bodies in the cornea, and then vaporizing at least some of the color bodies with light energy according to a predetermined pattern to form corneal-recurving scars. The light energy is focused in the cornea and defocused and diffused behind the cornea. The color bodies used are of a transient nature, and those not vaporized fade and disperse out of the cornea in due course.
Inventors
- 👤 Neville A. Baron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22082; A61B2017/22085; A61F2009/00853; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00872; A61F9/00802; A61F9/00817; A61F9/00819
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A process for predictably recurving the cornea of an eye which comprises disposing light-absorbing color bodies in said cornea and thereafter vaporizing at least some of said color bodies by applying thereto light energy focused thereon and defocused within said eye behind said cornea, said vaporization being effected according to a preselected patterned design and generating thereby corneal recurving scar tissue in said cornea according to said preselected patterned design.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A process for predictably recurving the cornea of an eye which comprises disposing light-absorbing color bodies in said cornea and thereafter vaporizing at least some of said color bodies by applying thereto light energy focused thereon and defocused within said eye behind said cornea, said vaporization being effected according to a preselected patterned design and generating thereby corneal recurving scar tissue in said cornea according to said preselected patterned design.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process as set forth in claim 1 in which said color bodies are disposed in the stroma layer of said cornea and said light energy is focused thereon by a light-converging lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as set forth in claim 2 in which said light-converging lens is disposed at, and centered on, the forward surface of said cornea.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process as set forth in claim 2 in which a slitted diaphragm is interposed between said lens and said cornea, said diaphragm being opaque to light energy and the slits therein being transparent to light energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process as set forth in claim 2 in which said light energy focused on the stroma layer is moved on said layer by moving a source of light relative to said light-converging lens.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3783874A
Cited
GB1184814A
Cited
US3703176A
Cited
DE2361672A1
Cited
US3900034A
Cited
SU563751A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-12-14 | 1991-06-15 | 1991-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-14 | 1995-06-15 | 1995-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-14 | 1999-06-15 | 1999-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |