Patent US5364388A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5364388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Beam delivery system for corneal surgery
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-09-14
•
Granted: 1994-11-15
•
Expires: 2012-09-14
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for delivering radiant energy beams onto an area of a cornea in a line focus to create a linear incisions. The radiant energy beams may be focused in a linear configuration onto the external surface of the cornea or onto intrastromal areas of the cornea of an eye to ablate the cornea in a radial slot, circumferential curved slot, or lenticular pattern, and thereby modify its curvature and refractive power. The apparatus includes an array of central reflectors and an assembly of peripheral reflectors. Each central reflector is associated with a respective peripheral reflector so that a beam reflected by the central reflector is intercepted by its associated peripheral reflector and is again reflected to precisely incise either external or internal areas of the cornea. Each peripheral reflector has a curved reflective surface to provide a line focus on the cornea, including both rectilinear and curvilinear line focus to create radial and circumferential curved incisions. In a modified embodiment, the assembly of peripheral reflectors and the array of central reflectors rotate to permit lathing of the cornea.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey E. Koziol
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00802; A61F9/00804; A61F2009/00853; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00872
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
An apparatus for delivering radiant energy beams onto an area of a cornea of an eye centered on a main optical axis, the combination comprising: a source of radiant energy beam aimed along the main optical axis; a support; an array of discrete central reflector means, arranged about the main optical axis, for intercepting the radiant energy beam incident thereon, splitting the beam into a plurality of beam portions, and reflecting each beam portion outwardly of the main optical axis; first means, coupled to said support and said array of central reflector means, for coupling said central reflector means to said support; an assembly of discrete peripheral reflector means, outwardly spaced from said central reflector means, each peripheral reflector means for intercepting one of said reflected beam portions from an associated central reflector means and for directing said intercepted beam portion generally along the main optical axis and for incidence onto an area of the cornea; and second means, coupled to said support and said peripheral reflector means, for coupling said peripheral reflector means to said support, each of said peripheral reflector means including means for focusing said intercepted beam portion onto an area of the cornea separate and discrete from the incidence of remaining said intercepted beam portions reflected onto areas of the cornea and in a linear configuration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
220 words
An apparatus for delivering radiant energy beams onto an area of a cornea of an eye centered on a main optical axis, the combination comprising: a source of radiant energy beam aimed along the main optical axis; a support; an array of discrete central reflector means, arranged about the main optical axis, for intercepting the radiant energy beam incident thereon, splitting the beam into a plurality of beam portions, and reflecting each beam portion outwardly of the main optical axis; first means, coupled to said support and said array of central reflector means, for coupling said central reflector means to said support; an assembly of discrete peripheral reflector means, outwardly spaced from said central reflector means, each peripheral reflector means for intercepting one of said reflected beam portions from an associated central reflector means and for directing said intercepted beam portion generally along the main optical axis and for incidence onto an area of the cornea; and second means, coupled to said support and said peripheral reflector means, for coupling said peripheral reflector means to said support, each of said peripheral reflector means including means for focusing said intercepted beam portion onto an area of the cornea separate and discrete from the incidence of remaining said intercepted beam portions reflected onto areas of the cornea and in a linear configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second means comprises means for supporting said array of central reflector means for angular movement relative to said assembly of peripheral reflector means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second means comprises means, coupled to said array of central reflector means and said assembly of peripheral reflector means, for fixedly interconnecting said array and said assembly, and means for rotatably supporting said interconnected array and assembly on said support for rotation about the main optical axis, and means for rotating said interconnected array and assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said central reflector means are mirrors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral reflector means are mirrors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said central reflector means have flat reflective surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said means for focusing comprises a curved reflective surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said means for focusing comprises a substantially semi-cylindrical reflective surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said means for focusing comprises a reflective surface that is curved about an axis A and is curved about an axis B which is perpendicular to axis A.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said means for focusing comprises a reflective surface that is curved about an axis A, and having a radius of curvature varying therealong.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising said peripheral reflector means are holographic elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said array of central reflector means includes from two to eight central reflector means, and said assembly of peripheral reflector means includes from two to eight peripheral reflector means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said array of central reflector means is an octagonal array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising means, coupled to said support, for reflecting a part of the beams reflected by said peripheral reflector means and determining the length of the beams from the source and the energy distribution of the beams.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising an eye positioning device coupled to said support for positioning the cornea relative to said central reflector means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, and further comprising conduit means coupled to said eye positioning device for delivering fluid to the cornea.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said means for focusing is configured to focus said intercepted beam portion onto an external area of the cornea for ablating an external surface of the cornea.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first and second means comprises means, coupled to said array of central reflector means and said assembly of peripheral reflector means, for fixedly interconnecting said array and said assembly, and means for rotatably supporting said interconnected array and assembly on said support for rotation about the main optical axis, and means for rotating said interconnected array and assembly.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each of said means for focusing is further configured to focus said intercepted beam portion in a rectilinear configuration on the cornea.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein each of said means for focusing is further configured to focus said intercepted beam portion along a line extending radially, outwardly from the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each of said means for focusing is further configured to focus said intercepted beam portion in a curvilinear configuration on the cornea.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein each of said means for focusing is further configured to focus said intercepted beam portion along a line extending radially, outwardly from the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said first and second means comprises means, coupled to said array of central reflector means and said assembly of peripheral reflector means, for fixedly interconnecting said array and said assembly, and means for rotatably supporting said interconnected array and assembly on said support for rotation about the main optical axis, and means for rotating said interconnected array and assembly.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein each of said means for focusing is further configured to focus said intercepted beam portion along a circumferentially curved line on the cornea.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said first and second means comprises means, coupled to said array of central reflector means and said assembly of peripheral reflector means, for fixedly interconnecting said array and said assembly, and means for rotatably supporting said interconnected array and assembly on said support for rotation about the main optical axis, and means for rotating said interconnected array and assembly.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said means for focusing is configured to focus said intercepted beam portion onto an intrastromal area of the cornea without ablating an external surface of the cornea.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein each of said means for focusing is further configured to focus said intercepted beam portion in a rectilinear configuration onto the intrastromal area of the cornea.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein each of said means for focusing is further configured to focus said intercepted beam portion along a line extending radially, outwardly from the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said first and second means comprises means, coupled to said array of central reflector means and said assembly of peripheral reflector means, for fixedly interconnecting said array and said assembly, and means for rotatably supporting said interconnected array and assembly on said support for rotation about the main optical axis, and means for rotating said interconnected array and assembly.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein each of said means for focusing is further configured to focus said intercepted bee portion in a curvilinear configuration onto the intrastromal area of the cornea.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein each of said means for focusing is further configured to focus said intercepted beam portion along a line extending radially, outwardly from the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said first and second means comprises means, coupled to said array of central reflector means and said assembly of peripheral reflector means, for fixedly interconnecting said array and said assembly, and means for rotatably supporting said interconnected array and assembly on said support for rotation about the main optical axis, and means for rotating said interconnected array and assembly.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein each of said means for focusing is further configured to focus said intercepted beam portion along a circumferentially curved line onto the intrastromal area of the cornea.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said first and second means comprises means, coupled to said array of central reflector means and said assembly of peripheral reflector means, for fixedly interconnecting said array and said assembly, and means for rotatably supporting said interconnected array and assembly on said support for rotation about the main optical axis, and means for rotating said interconnected array and assembly.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of ablating an area of a cornea via a radiant energy beam, comprising the steps of aligning a source of radiant energy beam and the cornea along a main axis, emitting the radiant energy beam from the source, splitting the beam into a plurality of beam portions and reflecting those beam portions outwardly of the main axis, reflecting the outwardly directed beam portions generally along the main axis to produce a plurality of output beam portions, and directing and focusing each of the output beam portions for incidence onto the cornea in an area separate and discrete from the incidence of remaining output beam portions reflected onto areas of the cornea and in a linear configuration.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of ablating an area of a cornea via a radiant energy beam, comprising the steps of aligning a source of radiant energy beam and the cornea along a main axis, emitting the radiant energy beam from the source, splitting the beam into a plurality of beam portions and reflecting those beam portions outwardly of the main axis, reflecting the outwardly directed beam portions generally along the main axis to produce a plurality of output beam portions, and directing and focusing each of the output beam portions for incidence onto the cornea in an area separate and discrete from the incidence of remaining output beam portions reflected onto areas of the cornea and in a linear configuration.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 35, wherein the directing and focusing step includes focusing the output beam portions onto intrastromal areas of the cornea for ablating the intrastromal areas without ablating an external surface of the cornea.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 36, wherein the directing and focusing step includes focusing the output beam portions in a rectilinear configuration onto the intrastromal areas of the cornea.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 37, wherein the directing and focusing step includes focusing the output beam portions along a line extending radially, outwardly from the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 38, wherein the splitting, the two reflecting, and the directing and focusing steps include the step of revolving the output beam portions about the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 36, wherein the directing and focusing step includes focusing the output beam portions in a curvilinear configuration onto the intrastromal areas of the cornea.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 40, wherein the directing and focusing step includes focusing the output beam portions along a line extending radially, outwardly from the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 41, wherein the splitting, the two reflecting, and the directing and focusing steps include the step of revolving the output beam portions about the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 40, wherein the directing and focusing step includes focusing the output beam portions along a circumferential curved line onto the intrastromal areas of the cornea.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 43, wherein the splitting, the two reflecting, and the directing and focusing steps include the step of revolving the output beam portions about the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 35, wherein the directing and focusing step includes focusing the output beam portions onto external areas of the cornea for ablating the external areas of the cornea.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 45, wherein the directing and focusing step includes focusing the output beam portions in a rectilinear configuration on the cornea.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 46, wherein the directing and focusing step includes focusing the output beam portions along a line extending radially, outwardly from the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 47, wherein the splitting, the two reflecting, and the directing and focusing steps include the step of revolving the output beam portions about the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 45, wherein the directing and focusing step includes focusing the output beam portions in a curvilinear configuration on the cornea.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 49, wherein the directing and focusing step includes focusing the output beam portions along a line extending radially, outwardly from the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 50, wherein the splitting, the two reflecting, and the directing and focusing steps include the step of revolving the output beam portions about the main optical axis of the cornea.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 49, wherein the directing and focusing step includes focusing the output beam portions along a circumferential curved line on the cornea.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 52, wherein the splitting, the two reflecting, and the directing and focusing steps include the step of revolving the output beam portions about the main optical axis of the cornea.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3821510A
Cited
US3931491A
Cited
US4028525A
Cited
US4002877A
Cited
US4315130A
Cited
US4370540A
Cited
US4409979A
Cited
US4356375A
Cited
US4461294A
Cited
US4712543A
Cited
US4518232A
Cited
US4732148A
Cited
US4665913A
Cited
US4729372A
Cited
US4720619A
Cited
US4669466A
Cited
US4648400A
Cited
FR2594686A1
Cited
US4658109A
Cited
WO1987007165A1
Cited
US4724522A
Cited
US4907586A
Cited
US5074859A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-14 | 1998-05-16 | 1998-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-14 | 2002-05-16 | 2002-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-14 | 2006-05-16 | 2006-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |