Patent US2866920A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4744360A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for ablating and removing cataract lenses
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-12-18
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Granted: 1988-05-17
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Expires: 2006-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for removing cataracts in which a flexible line preferably 1 mm or less in diameter is inserted through an incision into the anterior chamber until its end is adjacent the cataract. Coherent radiation, preferably at a frequency between 193 and 351 nm, is coupled to the cataract by an optical fiber in the line. An irrigation sleeve provided about the fiber and an aspiration sleeve extending partially around the irrigation sleeve conduct irrigating liquid to and remove ablated material from the anterior chamber and form with the optical fiber the flexible line.
Inventors
- 👤 Patricia E. Bath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00802; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/0087; A61F2009/00885; A61F2009/00887; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/84; A61M1/85
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for removing cataracts from an eye comprising: a flexible line including an optical fiber for conducting coherent radiation to the cataract and an aspiration sleeve extending at least partially about and along said fiber, the diameter of said line being 1 mm or less; a laser means coupled to said fiber for supplying said coherent radiation thereto at a wavelength such that crystalline lens material will be disintegrated into particles less than 0.1 mm in diameter; and means for applying suction to said aspiration sleeve for removing ablated cataract material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for removing cataracts from an eye comprising: a flexible line including an optical fiber for conducting coherent radiation to the cataract and an aspiration sleeve extending at least partially about and along said fiber, the diameter of said line being 1 mm or less; a laser means coupled to said fiber for supplying said coherent radiation thereto at a wavelength such that crystalline lens material will be disintegrated into particles less than 0.1 mm in diameter; and means for applying suction to said aspiration sleeve for removing ablated cataract material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said laser produces radiation in the wavelength between 193 and 351 nm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising an irrigation sleeve extending wholly around said fiber and wherein said aspiration sleeve extends partially around said irrigation sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the width of said aspiration sleeve is 0.2 mm or less.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for removing cataracts from an eye comprising: a flexible line including an optical fiber for conducting coherent radiation to the cataract, an irrigation sleeve extending at least partially about and along said fiber and an aspiration sleeve extending at least partially about and along said fiber, the width of said aspiration sleeve being 0.3 mm or less and the diameter of said line being 1 mm or less; a laser coupled to said fiber for supplying said coherent radiation thereto at a wavelength such that crystalline lens material will be disintegrated into particles less than 0.1 mm in diameter; means for supplying an irrigation liquid to said irrigation sleeve; and means for applying suction to said aspiration sleeve for removing ablated cataract material.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for removing cataracts from an eye comprising: a flexible line including an optical fiber for conducting coherent radiation to the cataract, an irrigation sleeve extending at least partially about and along said fiber and an aspiration sleeve extending at least partially about and along said fiber, the width of said aspiration sleeve being 0.3 mm or less and the diameter of said line being 1 mm or less; a laser coupled to said fiber for supplying said coherent radiation thereto at a wavelength such that crystalline lens material will be disintegrated into particles less than 0.1 mm in diameter; means for supplying an irrigation liquid to said irrigation sleeve; and means for applying suction to said aspiration sleeve for removing ablated cataract material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said laser produces radiation in the wavelength between 193 and 351 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said irrigation sleeve extends wholly around said fiber and said aspiration sleeve extends partially around said irrigation sleeve.
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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) | 1991-05-17 | 1991-11-16 | 1992-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-17 | 1995-11-16 | 1996-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-17 | 1999-11-16 | 2000-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |