US5102409A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for modification of corneal refractive properties
Assignee: BMB Patent Holding Corp
•
Filing: 1991-04-11
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Granted: 1992-04-07
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Expires: 2011-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for modifying corneal refractive properties includes a laser source and an ring-like deflector positioned about the cornea. The ring-like deflector is contoured and positioned about the cornea. The contour of the deflector is selected to affect the desired post-operative corneal curvature. A beam emitted from the laser source is deflected in a (predictable) controlled manner by the ring-like deflector at any desired point such that the beam strikes the cornea tangentially, ablating or lathing the contacted corneal surface. A masking device or an axicon can be provided in cooperation with a wide-body laser beam to deliver a ring of laser light to the deflector causing the light to strike the cornea tangentially in a ring-like pattern substantially centered about the visual axis. Alternatively, in a narrow-beam embodiment, the beam may be translated in the radial direction and revolved about the visual axis or rotated off parallel to the visual axis causing the beam to be deflected off of the ring-like deflector for striking the cornea tangentially over 360°.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry M. Balgorod
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00802; A61F9/00804; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00872
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
An apparatus for modifying the refractive properties of the cornea of an eye by ablating corneal tissue, comprising: laser means for emitting laser light; an annular prism positioned 360° about said cornea and having a contoured surface, said cornea having an optical zone; and means for directing said laser light to strike said prism, said prism being positioned to direct said light to strike the cornea tangentially about the optical zone thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
An apparatus for modifying the refractive properties of the cornea of an eye by ablating corneal tissue, comprising: laser means for emitting laser light; an annular prism positioned 360° about said cornea and having a contoured surface, said cornea having an optical zone; and means for directing said laser light to strike said prism, said prism being positioned to direct said light to strike the cornea tangentially about the optical zone thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for directing is adjustable in three dimensions in order to cooperate with said prisms to direct said laser light to a surface of the optical zone to effect said tangential striking and thereby modify corneal curvature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising optical means between said laser means and said directing means for forming said laser light into a ring of laser light, said ring of laser light striking the configuration of said prism through substantially 360° resulting in substantially simultaneous striking of the cornea through 360° about the optical zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said optical means comprises a mask.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said optical means includes an axicon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said prism is incorporated into an eye fixation device for fixing the position of the eye.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said laser light is in the form of a beam, further comprising means for rotating said laser beam through 360° about the prism, said beam being deflected by said prism to strike the cornea about the optical zone through substantially 360°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for tracking said laser beam across said configuration in a substantially radial direction.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for in vivo modification of the refractive properties of a patient's eye, comprising the steps of: (a) maintaining visual fixation; (b) activating means for generating a ring of laser light; and (c) directing said ring of laser light with a ring-shaped prism, said prism being positioned 360° about the cornea of the eye and having a contoured surface, said cornea having an optical zone, causing said ring of light to be directed thereby and to strike the optical zone of the cornea tangentially through substantially 360° around the cornea.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for in vivo modification of the refractive properties of a patient's eye, comprising the steps of: (a) maintaining visual fixation; (b) activating means for generating a ring of laser light; and (c) directing said ring of laser light with a ring-shaped prism, said prism being positioned 360° about the cornea of the eye and having a contoured surface, said cornea having an optical zone, causing said ring of light to be directed thereby and to strike the optical zone of the cornea tangentially through substantially 360° around the cornea.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for vitro modification of the refractive properties of a patient's eye, comprising the steps of: (a) activating means for generating a ring of laser light; and (b) directing said ring of laser light with a ring-shaped prism, said prism being positioned 360° about the cornea of the eye and having a contoured surface, said cornea having an optical zone, causing said ring of light to be directed thereby and to strike the optical zone of the cornea tangentially through substantially 360° around the cornea.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for vitro modification of the refractive properties of a patient's eye, comprising the steps of: (a) activating means for generating a ring of laser light; and (b) directing said ring of laser light with a ring-shaped prism, said prism being positioned 360° about the cornea of the eye and having a contoured surface, said cornea having an optical zone, causing said ring of light to be directed thereby and to strike the optical zone of the cornea tangentially through substantially 360° around the cornea.
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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) | 1995-04-07 | 1995-10-07 | 1996-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-07 | 1999-10-07 | 2000-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-07 | 2003-10-07 | 2004-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |