Patent US5507799A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5507799A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ablation apparatus for ablating an object by laser beam
Assignee: Nidek Co Ltd
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Filing: 1995-02-07
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Granted: 1996-04-16
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Expires: 2015-02-07
Abstract
Abstract An ablation apparatus for ablating an object to a uniform depth by a laser beam. The laser may be an excimer laser, having non-uniform beam intensity of Gaussian distribution and like. Therefore the laser beam is scanned to the non-uniform intensity distribution and irradiated on the surface of the objection, whereby uniform depth of ablation is achieved. The apparatus is preferably applied to the operation of the cornea.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshifumi Sumiya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:14
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/08; A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00802; A61F9/00804; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/073; B23K26/082; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00872
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An ablation apparatus for ablating a surface of an object, comprising: laser source means for emitting a laser beam having a non-uniform intensity of a Gaussian distribution in one direction and a uniform beam intensity in another direction; scanning means for scanning the laser beam only in the direction of the non-uniform intensity of the laser beam; and irradiation means for irradiating the laser beam scanned by the scanning means on an object to be ablated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
An ablation apparatus for ablating a surface of an object, comprising: laser source means for emitting a laser beam having a non-uniform intensity of a Gaussian distribution in one direction and a uniform beam intensity in another direction; scanning means for scanning the laser beam only in the direction of the non-uniform intensity of the laser beam; and irradiation means for irradiating the laser beam scanned by the scanning means on an object to be ablated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laser source comprises an excimer laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laser source means comprises a laser capable of emitting a laser beam having an intensity suitable for ablating a surface of a cornea of an eye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation means comprises an aperture diaphragm to restrict an area to be irradiated on an object, the aperture diaphragm having an opening smaller than the laser beam and in the direction of the uniform beam intensity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laser source comprises means for emitting an ultra-violet laser beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation means comprises variable aperture means for controlling an aperture through which the laser beam is passed and projection lens for irradiating the laser beam passing through the aperture onto the object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the projection lens is conjugate with said aperture and the surface of the object to be ablated to project an image of the aperture on the surface of an object to define the area to be ablated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scanning means comprises a reflection type optical element for reflecting the laser beam and moving means for moving the reflection-type optical element in the direction of the non-uniform intensity distribution of the laser beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the reflection-type optical element comprises a reflection mirror.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the moving means comprises a driving motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising position detecting means for detecting a position of the reflection-type optical element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the position detecting means comprises a rotary encoder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising control means for controlling emission of the laser beam by the laser source.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for ablating an object comprising the steps of: irradiating a laser beam having a non-uniform intensity distribution of a Gaussian distribution in one direction and a uniform beam intensity in another direction; scanning the laser beam only in the direction of the non-uniform intensity distribution of the laser beam; and ablating the object using the scanned laser beam.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for ablating an object comprising the steps of: irradiating a laser beam having a non-uniform intensity distribution of a Gaussian distribution in one direction and a uniform beam intensity in another direction; scanning the laser beam only in the direction of the non-uniform intensity distribution of the laser beam; and ablating the object using the scanned laser beam.
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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) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |