US5735843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser surgery apparatus and method
Assignee: AMO Manufacturing USA LLC
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Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1998-04-07
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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
2026-11-07 20:15
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: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
A system for use in a laser source surgical method of removing corneal tissue from a cornea, said system comprising a mask having an aperture for providing a graded intensity to the cornea from center to edge with more intensity at the center than at the edge.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
47 words
A system for use in a laser source surgical method of removing corneal tissue from a cornea, said system comprising a mask having an aperture for providing a graded intensity to the cornea from center to edge with more intensity at the center than at the edge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising a laser delivery system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said aperture is circular and has a variable diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said mask has a plurality of circular apertures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said aperture is circular.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said aperture has a variable diameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising a laser that produces radiation at a wavelength of 193 nanometers in a series of pulses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 7, wherein the laser and laser delivery system deliver energy to the cornea in the range of 100 to 200 millijoules per square centimeter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein said system delivers pulses at a rate of from 1 Hertz to 25 Hertz.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein the mask is formed from an ablatable material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein said ablatable material is a plastic or other polymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 7, wherein said mask comprises a base and at least one cooling vane which is separated from said base by an air space.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 12, wherein said at least one cooling vane is formed from metal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
47 words
A system for use in a laser source surgical method of removing corneal tissue from a cornea, said system comprising a mask having an aperture for providing a graded intensity to the cornea from edge to center with more intensity at the edge than at the center.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
47 words
A system for use in a laser source surgical method of removing corneal tissue from a cornea, said system comprising a mask having an aperture for providing a graded intensity to the cornea from edge to center with more intensity at the edge than at the center.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 14 wherein said mask has a plurality of apertures.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 14, further comprising a laser that produces radiation at a wavelength of 193 nanometers in a series of pulses.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system according to claim 14, further comprising a laser delivery system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 16, wherein the laser and the laser delivery system deliver energy in the range of 100 to 200 millijoules per square centimeter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 16, wherein said system delivers pulses at a rate of from 1 Hertz to 25 Hertz.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 16, wherein the mask is formed from an ablatable material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 20, wherein said ablatable material is a plastic or other polymer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 16, wherein said mask comprises a base and at least one cooling vane which is separated from said base by an air space.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 22, wherein said at least one cooling vane is formed from metal.
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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) | 2001-04-06 | 2001-10-06 | 2002-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-06 | 2005-10-06 | 2006-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-06 | 2009-10-06 | 2010-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |