US4907585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for improving farsightedness
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-12-03
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Granted: 1990-03-13
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Expires: 2007-12-03
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses apparatus for changing the radius of curvature of a cornea, which includes a needle (34) for being inserted into the periphery (14) of the cornea (10). A device (36, 38, 40) heats the needle (34) to a temperature sufficient to degrade a plurality of elongated regions (12) of the corneal stroma, such that the limbus of the cornea is constricted to change the radius of curvature of the cornea.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A. Schachar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/013; A61F9/0133
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of changing the radius of curvature of a cornea comprising: inserting an elongated member into a plurality of locations about the periphery of the cornea, and heating said elongated member to a temperature sufficient to degrade a plurality of elongate regions of corneal stroma, such that the limbus of the cornea is constricted to change the radius of curvature of the cornea.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of changing the radius of curvature of a cornea comprising: inserting an elongated member into a plurality of locations about the periphery of the cornea, and heating said elongated member to a temperature sufficient to degrade a plurality of elongate regions of corneal stroma, such that the limbus of the cornea is constricted to change the radius of curvature of the cornea.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said elongated member is inserted generally along radial lines of the cornea.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said elongated member is inserted generally tangentially to the periphery of the cornea.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of changing the radius of curvature of a cornea comprising: inserting the end of an elongated member into a plurality of locations about the outer periphery of the cornea, and applying heat in a localized position of said end in order to raise the temperature only of the adjacent cornea stroma sufficiently to degrade the stroma.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of changing the radius of curvature of a cornea comprising: inserting the end of an elongated member into a plurality of locations about the outer periphery of the cornea, and applying heat in a localized position of said end in order to raise the temperature only of the adjacent cornea stroma sufficiently to degrade the stroma.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of improving farsighted vision in the human eye, comprising the steps of: inserting a needle into peripheral areas of the cornea of the eye; heating said needle; degrading elongate areas of the collagen in the stroma of the cornea of the eye in response to said step of heating; and said degraded elongate areas acting to constrict the circumference of the limbal ring of the cornea to change the shape of the cornea.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of improving farsighted vision in the human eye, comprising the steps of: inserting a needle into peripheral areas of the cornea of the eye; heating said needle; degrading elongate areas of the collagen in the stroma of the cornea of the eye in response to said step of heating; and said degraded elongate areas acting to constrict the circumference of the limbal ring of the cornea to change the shape of the cornea.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said elongate areas are disposed in said limbal ring area along radial lines of the cornea.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of heating comprises: applying electrical current to said needle to generate heat therein.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-12 | 1993-09-11 | 1994-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-12 | 1997-09-11 | 1998-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-12 | 2001-09-11 | 2002-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |