US6027494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ablatement designed for dark adaptability
Assignee: Novartis AG
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Filing: 1997-06-06
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Granted: 2000-02-22
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Expires: 2017-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for performing a reshaping of a cornea of an eye for improved vision is presented. The system comprises a first appartus for determining dark adapted pupil size of an eye and a second apparatus for reshaping a cornea of the eye in an area approximately equal to the dark adapted pupil size as determined by the first apparatus. The method of the present invention involves dilating the pupil of an eye to its dark adapted size, determining the diameter of the dilated pupil, and ablating the cornea of the eye to match the dilated pupil size. The advantage to using such a system and method when reshaping a cornea of an eye is reduced halo effect or improved night vision.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudolph W. Frey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00802; A61F9/00804; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/061; A61F2009/00844; A61F2009/00846; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00872
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for performing a reshaping of an eye for improved vision, the method comprising the steps of: dilating the pupil of an eye to a dark adapted size for providing a dilated pupil; determining the diameter of said dilated pupil; and ablating the cornea of said eye to a diameter approximately matching said dilated pupil size.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for performing a reshaping of an eye for improved vision, the method comprising the steps of: dilating the pupil of an eye to a dark adapted size for providing a dilated pupil; determining the diameter of said dilated pupil; and ablating the cornea of said eye to a diameter approximately matching said dilated pupil size.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method for performing a reshaping of an eye for improved vision according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of said dilated pupil is determined by focussing a light spot at said dilated pupil of said eye to match said dark adapted size.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method for performing a reshaping of an eye for improved vision according to claim 1, wherein said dilated pupil has a diameter determined by focussing a plurality of light spots at the dilated pupil of said eye to form a pattern to match said dark adapted size.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method for performing a reshaping of an eye for improved vision, according to claim 1, the method further comprising the step of tapering said cornea to form a smooth transition between treated and untreated portions of said eye.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method for performing a reshaping of an eye for improved vision, according to claim 1, the method further comprising the step of inputting the determined diameter of said dilated pupil into a corneal sculpting program.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for performing a reshaping of an eye for improved vision according to claim 1, wherein the pupil dilating step comprises the step of dimming light received by said eye for darkening an environment of said eye.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method for performing a reshaping of an eye for improved vision according to claim 1, wherein the pupil dilating step comprises the step of adding a chemical eye drop onto said eye.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for improving vision of an eye, the method comprising the steps of: dilating the pupil of an eye to a size adapted for vision in a darkened environment for providing a dilated pupil; determining the diameter of said dilated pupil; and ablating corneal material of said eye to within an ablating diameter approximately sized to said diameter of said dilated pupil.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for improving vision of an eye, the method comprising the steps of: dilating the pupil of an eye to a size adapted for vision in a darkened environment for providing a dilated pupil; determining the diameter of said dilated pupil; and ablating corneal material of said eye to within an ablating diameter approximately sized to said diameter of said dilated pupil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for improving vision according to claim 8, wherein the pupil dilating step comprises the step of dimming light received by said eye for darkening an environment of said eye.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for improving vision according to claim 8, wherein the pupil dilating step comprises the step of adding a chemical eye drop onto said eye.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method for improving vision according to claim 8, wherein the dilated pupil diameter determining step comprises the steps of: placing a light spot on said dilated pupil sufficient for covering said dilated pupil of said eye; and measuring the diameter of said light spot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for improving vision according to claim 8, wherein said dilated pupil has a diameter determined by placing a plurality of light spots within said dilated pupil for matching a pattern to said dark adapted size of said pupil.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method for improving vision according to claim 8, wherein the cornea ablating step comprises the step tapering said cornea to form a smooth transition between treated and untreated portions of said eye.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for improving vision according to claim 8, the method further comprising the step of inputting the diameter of said dilated pupil into a corneal sculpting program.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5163934A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-08-23 | 2004-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | 2008-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-21 | 2011-08-23 | 2012-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |