US5549596A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selective laser targeting of pigmented ocular cells
Assignee: The Schepens Eye Research Institute Inc
•
Filing: 1995-10-20
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Granted: 1996-08-27
•
Expires: 2015-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A method of damaging pigmented intraocular cells, a patient with a disease, which involves selectively damaging pigmented cells in an intraocular area by irradiating the area with laser radiation of radiant exposure between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm2, while sparing nonpigmented cells and collagenous structures within the irradiated area. The method is useful for the treatment of glaucoma, intraocular melanoma, and macular edema.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark A. Latina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00821; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B2018/2065; A61B2018/2075; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00868; A61F2009/00885; A61F2009/00891; A61F9/009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of selectively damaging pigmented intraocular cells in a patient with a disease, comprising: selecting an intraocular area containing a pigmented cell and a nonpigmented cell, wherein the pigment is either endogenously synthesized or exogenous pigment synthesized by another intraocular cell, irradiating the area with laser radiation having a wavelength which is absorbed more in the pigmented cell than in the nonpigmented cell, wherein said radiation has a radiant exposure of between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm 2 , and damaging said pigmented cell without killing said nonpigmented cell.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of selectively damaging pigmented intraocular cells in a patient with a disease, comprising: selecting an intraocular area containing a pigmented cell and a nonpigmented cell, wherein the pigment is either endogenously synthesized or exogenous pigment synthesized by another intraocular cell, irradiating the area with laser radiation having a wavelength which is absorbed more in the pigmented cell than in the nonpigmented cell, wherein said radiation has a radiant exposure of between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm 2 , and damaging said pigmented cell without killing said nonpigmented cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is delivered in pulses with pulse duration of between about 1 nsec and about 2 μsec.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is delivered in a single pulse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the laser radiation impinges upon the intraocular area in a target spot of between about 0.05 and about 1.5 mm in diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the laser radiation impinges upon the intraocular area in a target spot of between about 0.1 and about 1 mm in diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the disease consists of glaucoma, melanoma, or a disease of the retinal pigmented epithelium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the intraocular area consists of trabecular meshwork, retina, ciliary body, iris, or an intraocular melanoma.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the radiant exposure is between about 0.01 and about 1 Joules/cm 2 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the pigmented cell consists of a trabecular meshwork cell, a retinal pigmented epithelial cell, a uveal pigmented cell, or a melanoma cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said pigmented cell is a phagocytic cell within the intraocular area into which said pigment is introduced by contacting the phagocytic cell with the exogenous pigment before irradiating the area to damage the phagocytic cell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the phagocytic cell is a trabecular meshwork cell and the exogenous pigment contacts the phagocytic cell after being introduced into aqueous humor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the exogenous pigment is introduced into the aqueous humor by laser iridotomy of the iris.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the intraocular area is trabecular meshwork, and wherein the laser radiation is delivered via a slit lamp delivery system and is directed into the trabecular meshwork by a goniolens.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of damaging trabecular meshwork cells, comprising: selecting a region containing trabecular meshwork cells and collagen beams, wherein the trabecular meshwork cells contain pigment which is either endogenously synthesized or synthesized by another intraocular cell, irradiating the region of trabecular meshwork cells and collagen beams with laser radiation characterized by radiant exposure of between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm 2 and a wavelength which is absorbed more in the trabecular meshwork cells than in the collagen beams, and damaging the trabecular meshwork cells without damaging the collagen beams.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of damaging trabecular meshwork cells, comprising: selecting a region containing trabecular meshwork cells and collagen beams, wherein the trabecular meshwork cells contain pigment which is either endogenously synthesized or synthesized by another intraocular cell, irradiating the region of trabecular meshwork cells and collagen beams with laser radiation characterized by radiant exposure of between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm 2 and a wavelength which is absorbed more in the trabecular meshwork cells than in the collagen beams, and damaging the trabecular meshwork cells without damaging the collagen beams.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the radiation is delivered in pulses with pulse duration of between about 1 nsec and about 2 μsec.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the radiation is delivered in a single pulse.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the laser radiation impinges upon the intraocular area in a target spot of between about 0.05 and about 1.5 mm in diameter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the laser radiation impinges upon the intraocular area in a target spot of between about 0.1 and about 1 mm in diameter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the radiant exposure is between about 0.01 and about 1 Joules/cm 2 .
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of introducing exogenous pigment into a phagocytic cell within the region of trabecular meshwork by contacting the phagocytic cell with exogenous pigment before irradiating the region to damage the trabecular meshwork cells.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the phagocytic cell is a trabecular meshwork cell and the exogenous pigment contacts the phagocytic cell after being introduced into aqueous humor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the exogenous pigment is introduced into the aqueous humor by laser iridotomy of the iris.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of damaging conjunctival pigmented epithelial cells in a patient with a disease, comprising: selecting an area of conjunctiva containing pigmented cells and nonpigmented cells, wherein the pigment is either endogenously synthesized or exogenous pigment synthesized by another intraocular cell, irradiating the area with radiation, wherein said radiation has radiant exposure of between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm 2 and has a wavelength which is absorbed more in the pigmented cells than in the nonpigmented cells, and damaging said pigmented cells without killing said nonpigmented cells.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of damaging conjunctival pigmented epithelial cells in a patient with a disease, comprising: selecting an area of conjunctiva containing pigmented cells and nonpigmented cells, wherein the pigment is either endogenously synthesized or exogenous pigment synthesized by another intraocular cell, irradiating the area with radiation, wherein said radiation has radiant exposure of between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm 2 and has a wavelength which is absorbed more in the pigmented cells than in the nonpigmented cells, and damaging said pigmented cells without killing said nonpigmented cells.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the radiation is delivered in pulses with pulse duration of between about 1 nsec and about 2 μsec.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the laser radiation has a wavelength which is more highly absorbed in pigmented than in nonpigmented cells.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the disease consists of conjunctival melanoma or pigmented nevus.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of selectively damaging a pigmented phagocytic cell in a patient with a disease, comprising: selecting an intraocular area containing said phagocytic cell and a nonpigmented cell, introducing exogenous pigment into said phagocytic cell by contacting said cell with exogenous pigment introduced into the aqueous humor of said patient by laser iridotomy of the iris of said patient, irradiating the intraocular area with laser radiation having a radiant exposure of between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm 2 , and damaging said phagocytic cell without killing said nonpigmented cell.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of selectively damaging a pigmented phagocytic cell in a patient with a disease, comprising: selecting an intraocular area containing said phagocytic cell and a nonpigmented cell, introducing exogenous pigment into said phagocytic cell by contacting said cell with exogenous pigment introduced into the aqueous humor of said patient by laser iridotomy of the iris of said patient, irradiating the intraocular area with laser radiation having a radiant exposure of between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm 2 , and damaging said phagocytic cell without killing said nonpigmented cell.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of selectively damaging a pigmented trabecular meshwork cell in a patient with a disease, comprising: selecting an intraocular area containing said trabecular meshwork cell and a nonpigmented cell, introducing exogenous pigment into said trabecular meshwork cell by contacting said cell with exogenous pigment introduced into the aqueous humor of said patient by laser iridotomy of the iris of said patient, irradiating the intraocular area with laser radiation having a radiant exposure of between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm 2 , and damaging said trabecular meshwork cell without killing said nonpigmented cell.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of selectively damaging a pigmented trabecular meshwork cell in a patient with a disease, comprising: selecting an intraocular area containing said trabecular meshwork cell and a nonpigmented cell, introducing exogenous pigment into said trabecular meshwork cell by contacting said cell with exogenous pigment introduced into the aqueous humor of said patient by laser iridotomy of the iris of said patient, irradiating the intraocular area with laser radiation having a radiant exposure of between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm 2 , and damaging said trabecular meshwork cell without killing said nonpigmented cell.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of treating glaucoma in a patient, said method lowering an intraocular pressure in the patient by selectively damaging pigmented intraocular cells, said method comprising: selecting an intraocular area containing a pigmented cell and a nonpigmented cell, wherein said pigment is either endogenously synthesized or exogenous pigment synthesized by another intraocular cell, irradiating the intraocular area with laser radiation having a wavelength which is absorbed more in said pigmented cell than in said nonpigmented cell, wherein said radiation has a radiant exposure of between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm 2 , and damaging said pigmented cell without killing said nonpigmented cell to lower the intraocular pressure in the patient.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of treating glaucoma in a patient, said method lowering an intraocular pressure in the patient by selectively damaging pigmented intraocular cells, said method comprising: selecting an intraocular area containing a pigmented cell and a nonpigmented cell, wherein said pigment is either endogenously synthesized or exogenous pigment synthesized by another intraocular cell, irradiating the intraocular area with laser radiation having a wavelength which is absorbed more in said pigmented cell than in said nonpigmented cell, wherein said radiation has a radiant exposure of between about 0.01 and about 5 Joules/cm 2 , and damaging said pigmented cell without killing said nonpigmented cell to lower the intraocular pressure in the patient.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-27 | 2000-02-26 | 2000-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-27 | 2004-02-26 | 2004-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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