Patent US5711762A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5711762A
Expired / Lapsed
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Laser surgery apparatus and method
Assignee: AMO Manufacturing USA LLC
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Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1998-01-27
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract An argon-fluoride excimer laser or other laser source capable of generating far-ultraviolet radiation at 193 nm is pulsed with energy densities of greater than 20 mj per cm 2 at a repetition rate up to 25 pulses per second to direct its radiation through a mask and onto corneal tissue, or other biological matter, to form an ablation therein of predetermined configuration and depth by a process of ablative photodecomposition. The masks are formed with a slit, circular, crescent or other openings of widths between 30 and 800 microns, and may even be formed to provide a graded intensity center to edge. The mask is reflective or composed of or faced with an organic polymer to prevent heat build-up. Each micron of the depth of a 200 micron deep groove formed in corneal tissue, for example, resulted from the application of 1 joule per square centimeter of radiation, from a series of pulses delivered at intensities of between 100 mj and 200 mj per square centimeter, and at a laser pulse rate of between 1 and 25 Hertz, the entire groove taking 100 seconds.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Trokel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00802; A61F9/00804; A61F9/00817; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00747; A61B2017/00761; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00872
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for use in a laser source surgical method for removing corneal tissue, said system comprising: (a) a laser that produces a beam of radiation at a wavelength of about 193 nanometers in a series of pulses; (b) a laser delivery system means for receiving said radiation from said laser and delivering a fraction of said radiation to a cornea; and (c) wherein said radiation produces a depth of ablation of approximately 1 micron for each accumulation of one joule per square centimeter of energy applied.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for use in a laser source surgical method for removing corneal tissue, said system comprising: (a) a laser that produces a beam of radiation at a wavelength of about 193 nanometers in a series of pulses; (b) a laser delivery system means for receiving said radiation from said laser and delivering a fraction of said radiation to a cornea; and (c) wherein said radiation produces a depth of ablation of approximately 1 micron for each accumulation of one joule per square centimeter of energy applied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said laser delivery system means comprises a mask that has at least one radial aperture for producing radial corneal incisions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said laser delivery system means comprises a mask that has optical apertures for producing ablations in the form of concentric rings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said laser delivery system means comprises a mask for providing a graded intensity to the cornea with more intensity at the center than at the edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said laser delivery system means comprises a mask for providing a graded intensity to the cornea with more intensity at the edge than at the center.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said laser delivery system means comprises a mask for grading energy delivered to the cornea in each pulse from either center to edge or from edge to center, whereby an intensity delivered to the cornea is either greater at the center than at the edge or is greater at the edge than at the center.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1, which can produce pulses at said cornea which have between 100 and 200 millijoules of energy per square centimeter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1, which can produce pulses at a rate of between 1 and 20 Hertz.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system according to claim 1, which can grade energy delivered to the cornea in each pulse either center to edge or edge to center, whereby the intensity delivered to the cornea is either greater at the center than at the edge or is greater at the edge than at the center.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 1, further comprising means, including a mask, for controlling a volume of corneal tissue removed by said system during corneal laser surgery.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said beam of radiation has a wavelength of 193 nanometers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said laser delivery system means comprises means for selectively shaping a surface of the cornea.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said laser delivery system means comprises means for removing corneal tissue from a central surface area of the cornea.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said laser includes means for delivering energy in a range of 100 to 200 millijoules per square centimeter per pulse.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 14, wherein said laser includes means for delivering the pulses at a rate of from 1 Hertz to 25 Hertz.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said laser delivery system means comprises a mask and said mask comprises an ablatable material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 16, wherein said abatable material is a polymer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said laser delivery system means comprises a mask and said mask comprises a base and at least one cooling vane spaced from said base by an air space and connected to said base.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 18, wherein said at least one cooling vane comprises metal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said laser delivery system means comprises a mask and said mask comprises a plurality of cooling vanes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 20, wherein said plurality of cooling vanes comprise metal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said laser delivery system means comprises a mask and said mask comprises plastic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 22, wherein said plastic is poly methyl methacrylate.
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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) | 2001-01-26 | 2001-07-28 | 2002-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-26 | 2005-07-28 | 2006-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-26 | 2009-07-28 | 2010-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |