Patent US6036688A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6036688A
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Radio frequency refractive keratectomy apparatus and method
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1998-06-17
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Granted: 2000-03-14
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Expires: 2018-06-17
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for being held by the human hand for performing refractive keratectomy on the eye of a patient by the use of radio frequency energy from a radio frequency generator. An elongate probe has proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity is sized to be grasped by a human hand. The elongate probe has a length so that the distal extremity can be held in close proximity to the cornea while the proximal extremity is held by the human hand. An energy delivery member is carried by the distal extremity. Conductors are carried by the elongate probe for conducting radio frequency from the generator to the energy delivery member. A dispersive member is carried by the energy delivery member for dispersing the radio frequency energy from the energy delivery member and applies the energy to the cornea to remove a portion of said cornea in order to reshape the cornea and improve vision.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart D. Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1402; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00821; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/0079
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for being held by the human hand for performing refractive keratectomy on the eye of a patient by the use of radio frequency energy from a radio frequency generator comprising an elongate probe having proximal and distal extremities, the proximal extremity being sized to be grasped by a human hand and the elongate probe having a length so that the distal extremity can be held in close proximity to the cornea while the proximal extremity is being held by the human hand, an energy delivery member carried by the distal extremity, conductive means carried by the elongate probe for conducting radio frequency from the generator to said energy delivery member and a dispersive member carried by said energy delivery member for dispersing the radio frequency energy from the energy delivery member and applying said energy to the cornea to remove a portion of said cornea in order to reshape the cornea and improve vision.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for being held by the human hand for performing refractive keratectomy on the eye of a patient by the use of radio frequency energy from a radio frequency generator comprising an elongate probe having proximal and distal extremities, the proximal extremity being sized to be grasped by a human hand and the elongate probe having a length so that the distal extremity can be held in close proximity to the cornea while the proximal extremity is being held by the human hand, an energy delivery member carried by the distal extremity, conductive means carried by the elongate probe for conducting radio frequency from the generator to said energy delivery member and a dispersive member carried by said energy delivery member for dispersing the radio frequency energy from the energy delivery member and applying said energy to the cornea to remove a portion of said cornea in order to reshape the cornea and improve vision.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said energy delivery member is a loop electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said loop electrode is sized so as to encompass an area approximating the area of the cornea.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said loop electrode is removably connectable to said distal extremity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said dispersive member is microporous.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said microporous member has a bag-like conformation with a closed end and an open end forming a rim.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
An apparatus as in claim 6 for use with a conductive solution wherein said microporous member includes a conductive layer formed of a material capable of conducting radio frequency energy, said conductive layer being in contact with the loop electrode at said rim of said microporous member, first and second outer layers formed of a material that is insulative with respect to radio frequency energy and disposed on opposite sides of the conductive layer and wherein said conductive layer and said first and second outer layers have micropores therein in registration with one another permitting a conducting solution to flow through said microporous member to assist in dispersing the radio frequency energy from said loop electrode through said micropores and applying said energy to the area of the cornea to be reshaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said conductive layer is constructed of metal foil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said outer layers are constructed of an elastic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said micropores are disposed in a predetermined specific pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as in claim 10, the cornea having a central optical zone, wherein said microporous member has a central region sized so as to encompass an area approximating the area of said optical zone and said specific pattern includes at least one curvilinear cluster of said micropores disposed outside of said central region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as in claim 10, the cornea having a central optical zone, wherein said microporous member has a central region having a circumference sized to encompass an area approximating the area of said optical zone and said specific pattern is a substantially radial array having spoke-like clusters of said micropores radiating from said circumference.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein there are at least two spoke-like clusters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus as in claim 13 wherein there are eight spoke-like clusters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said dispersive member is removably connectable to said distal extremity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 further including means for monitoring and controlling the amount of radio frequency energy applied to the cornea.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as in claim 16 wherein said monitoring and controlling means includes a computer for controlling the amount of energy applied to the cornea based on the shape of the eye prior to applying said energy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as in claim 16 wherein said monitoring and controlling means includes at least one thermocouple carried by said energy delivery member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 further including a corneal immobilizer for substantially immobilizing the cornea during application of said energy.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the corneal immobilizer includes a vacuum chamber capable of being connected to a vacuum source for applying suction to the eye.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for performing refractive keratectomy on the eye of a patient, the cornea having a central optical zone, by the use of radio frequency energy and an apparatus having an elongate probe being sized to be grasped by a human hand, an energy delivery member carried by the elongate probe and a dispersive member carried by said energy delivery member for dispersing the radio frequency energy, the method comprising placing said dispersive member on the eye so that the energy delivery member and dispersive member contact the cornea, introducing a conducting solution onto the eye so that it contacts said dispersive member and conducting radio frequency energy to said energy delivery member, said dispersive member and to an area of the cornea to ablate a portion of the cornea in order to reshape the cornea and improve vision.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for performing refractive keratectomy on the eye of a patient, the cornea having a central optical zone, by the use of radio frequency energy and an apparatus having an elongate probe being sized to be grasped by a human hand, an energy delivery member carried by the elongate probe and a dispersive member carried by said energy delivery member for dispersing the radio frequency energy, the method comprising placing said dispersive member on the eye so that the energy delivery member and dispersive member contact the cornea, introducing a conducting solution onto the eye so that it contacts said dispersive member and conducting radio frequency energy to said energy delivery member, said dispersive member and to an area of the cornea to ablate a portion of the cornea in order to reshape the cornea and improve vision.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 21 wherein said energy is conducted to an area of the cornea located outside of the optical zone.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 21 wherein said energy is conducted to an area of the cornea including the optical zone.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as in claim 21 further including the steps of monitoring the temperature at the cornea during application of energy to the cornea and controlling the amount of energy applied to the cornea based on the temperature.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 21 further including the step of controlling the amount of energy applied to the cornea based on the shape of the eye prior to applying said energy.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as in claim 21, the apparatus further including a corneal immobilizer having a vacuum chamber capable of being connected to a vacuum source, including the steps of applying the corneal immobilizer to the eye of the patient and applying a vacuum source to the corneal immobilizer in order to immobilize the cornea prior to introducing said conducting solution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 2003-03-14 | 2003-09-13 | 2004-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-14 | 2007-09-13 | 2008-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-14 | 2011-09-13 | 2012-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |