US6319274B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Devices and techniques for light-mediated stimulation of trabecular meshwork in glaucoma therapy
Assignee: Solx Inc
•
Filing: 1998-06-22
•
Granted: 2001-11-20
•
Expires: 2018-06-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and technique for transscleral light-mediated biostimulation of the trabecular plates of a patient's eye in a treatment for glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The apparatus includes; (i) a working end geometry for contacting the anterior surface of the sclera and cornea to insure that a laser emission reaches the trabecular meshwork from a particular location on the anterior surface of the sclera, (ii) a laser energy source providing a wavelength appropriate for absorption beneath the anterior scleral surface to the depth of the trabecular plates, and (iii) a dosimetry control system for controlling the exposure of the laser emission at the particular spatial locations. The device uses a light energy source that emits wavelengths in the near-infrared portion of the spectrum, preferably in the range of about 1.30 μm to 1.40 μm or from about 1.55 μm to 1.85 μm. The depth of absorption of such wavelength ranges will extend through most, if not all, of the thickness of the sclera (750 μm to 950 μm). In accordance with a proposed method of trabecular biostimulation, the targeted region is elevated in temperature to a range between about 40° C. to 55° C. for a period of time ranging from about 1 second to 120 seconds or more.
Inventors
- 👤 John H. Shadduck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N5/0613; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61N5/067; A61F2009/00844; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00868; A61F2009/00885; A61F2009/00891; A61N2005/0635; A61N2005/0643; A61N2005/0644; A61N2005/0658; A61N2005/0659
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for causing controlled thermal damage within a patient's trabecular meshwork to treat glaucoma, comprising: a probe defining a distal face for contacting the surface of a patient's eye; the distal face defining a surface area of at least 20 mm. 2 for acting as a heat sink; at least one laser emitter carried in the distal face that delivers a wavelength from a laser source ranging between about 1.30-1.40 μm or 1.55-1.85 μm; and said emitter defining an emission axis aligned with the trabecular meshwork when the working surface is in contact with the patient's eye.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for causing controlled thermal damage within a patient's trabecular meshwork to treat glaucoma, comprising: a probe defining a distal face for contacting the surface of a patient's eye; the distal face defining a surface area of at least 20 mm. 2 for acting as a heat sink; at least one laser emitter carried in the distal face that delivers a wavelength from a laser source ranging between about 1.30-1.40 μm or 1.55-1.85 μm; and said emitter defining an emission axis aligned with the trabecular meshwork when the working surface is in contact with the patient's eye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the distal face for contacting the patient's eye has a surface area of about 40 mm. 2 or greater.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the distal face for contacting the patient's eye has a surface area of about 60 mm. 2 or greater.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: a temperature sensor carried in said distal face for generating a signal corresponding to the surface temperature of the patients' eye; and a controller for receiving and processing said signal to modulate power delivery by the said laser emitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the distal face is impressed with intersecting first and second spherical receiving forms, said first form dimensioned to receive a portion of the patient's cornea, said second form dimensioned to receive a portion of the patient's sclera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the first spherical form defines a radius ranging between about 6.4 mm and 7.8 mm and the second spherical form defines a radius ranging between about 8.0 mm and 12.0 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said at least one laser emitter is carried in the second spherical form.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for creating a selected thermal effect within a patient's trabecular meshwork comprising: a handpiece having a distal working face for contacting a portion of the sclera of said eye; the working face defining a surface area of at least 20 mm. 2 for acting as a heat sink, a plurality of light emitters carried about a radial arc within said working face, said plurality of emitters adapted to irradiate a part-annular portion of said sclera and the underlying trabecular meshwork; the emitters defining an emission axis aligned with the trabecular meshwork, and a laser source coupled to said plurality of emitters producing a wavelength ranging between 1.30-1.40 μm or 1.55-1.85 μm.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for creating a selected thermal effect within a patient's trabecular meshwork comprising: a handpiece having a distal working face for contacting a portion of the sclera of said eye; the working face defining a surface area of at least 20 mm. 2 for acting as a heat sink, a plurality of light emitters carried about a radial arc within said working face, said plurality of emitters adapted to irradiate a part-annular portion of said sclera and the underlying trabecular meshwork; the emitters defining an emission axis aligned with the trabecular meshwork, and a laser source coupled to said plurality of emitters producing a wavelength ranging between 1.30-1.40 μm or 1.55-1.85 μm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said radial are of said plurality of emitters extends extends between 10° and 180° about said working face.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 8 wherein each said plurality of emitters includes a lens element for focusing said light energy beam in a range of 750 μm to 900 μm beyond said lens element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5259380A
Cited
US5372595A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-19 | 2005-05-21 | 2005-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-19 | 2009-05-21 | 2009-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-19 | 2013-05-21 | 2013-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |