Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A method for welding a first portion of ocular tissue having a leading edge to a second portion of ocular tissue having a leading edge, said method comprising the steps of: positioning said leading edge of said first portion of ocular tissue directly adjacent to and against said leading edge of said second portion of ocular tissue; and applying pulses of a laser light from a source thereof substantially simultaneously to said leading edge of said first portion of ocular tissue and to said leading edge of said second portion of ocular tissue, in a pulsed mode, wherein multiple pulses impinge on a given location, said pulses of said laser light penetrating said portions of ocular tissue to a depth of approximately 1-300 microns so that said leading edge of said first portion of ocular tissue may be securely welded to said leading edge of said second portion of ocular tissue, said laser light having a wavelength of approximately 10.6 microns and a power output level sufficient to maintain said portions of ocular tissue at a temperature of approximately 45-60 degrees Celsius during said applying of said laser light.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
189 words
A method for welding a first portion of ocular tissue having a leading edge to a second portion of ocular tissue having a leading edge, said method comprising the steps of: positioning said leading edge of said first portion of ocular tissue directly adjacent to and against said leading edge of said second portion of ocular tissue; and applying pulses of a laser light from a source thereof substantially simultaneously to said leading edge of said first portion of ocular tissue and to said leading edge of said second portion of ocular tissue, in a pulsed mode, wherein multiple pulses impinge on a given location, said pulses of said laser light penetrating said portions of ocular tissue to a depth of approximately 1-300 microns so that said leading edge of said first portion of ocular tissue may be securely welded to said leading edge of said second portion of ocular tissue, said laser light having a wavelength of approximately 10.6 microns and a power output level sufficient to maintain said portions of ocular tissue at a temperature of approximately 45-60 degrees Celsius during said applying of said laser light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 and wherein said first portion of ocular tissue is comprised of corneal tissue and said second portion of ocular tissue is comprised of corneal tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 and wherein said first portion of ocular tissue is comprised of scleral tissue and said second portion of ocular tissue is comprised of scleral tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 and wherein said first portion of ocular tissue is comprised of corneal tissue and said second portion of ocular tissue is comprised of scleral tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1 and wherein said power output level is approximately in the range of 300 mW increasing to 4000 mW, and wherein said pulses have a duration which correspondingly decreases from approximately 2000 msec to 1 msec.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for performing an anterior capsulotomy including applying pulses of a laser light from a source thereof on a portion of the anterior capsule of an eye lens, thereby creating a plurality of discrete and contiguous cuts, said cuts together releasing part of said anterior capsule, and wherein said laser light has a wavelength of approximately 10.6 microns.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for performing an anterior capsulotomy including applying pulses of a laser light from a source thereof on a portion of the anterior capsule of an eye lens, thereby creating a plurality of discrete and contiguous cuts, said cuts together releasing part of said anterior capsule, and wherein said laser light has a wavelength of approximately 10.6 microns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 6 and wherein said discrete and contiguous cuts are circular.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 6 and wherein said discrete and contiguous cuts are circular and are 0.5-1.5 mm in diameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 6 and wherein said opening is generally circular.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 6 and wherein said opening is generally circular and is 5-7 mm in diameter.