US4907586A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for reshaping the eye
Assignee: AMO Development LLC
•
Filing: 1988-03-31
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Granted: 1990-03-13
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Expires: 2008-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam to change the optical properties of the eye comprises controllably setting the volumetric power density of the beam and selecting a desired wavelength for the beam. Tissue modification is accomplished by focusing the beam at a preselected start point in the tissue and moving the beam's focal point in a predetermined manner relative to the start point throughout a specified volume of the tissue or along a specified path in the tissue. Depending on the selected volumetric power density, the tissue on which the focal point is incident can be modified either by photoablation or by a change in the tissue's visco-elastic properties.
Inventors
- 👤 Josef F. Bille
- 👤 Stuart I. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00802; A61F9/00804; A61F2009/00853; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00872; A61F2009/00885; A61F2009/00887; A61F2009/00889
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 77
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of emissions each having a finite duration which comprises: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point in said tissue; focusing said laser beam onto said start point; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam; and scanning said beam along a predetermined path in said tissue to modify said tissue along said path.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of emissions each having a finite duration which comprises: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point in said tissue; focusing said laser beam onto said start point; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam; and scanning said beam along a predetermined path in said tissue to modify said tissue along said path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 1 wherein selecting said volumetric power density is accomplished by varying the size of said spot whereon said laser beam is focused.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 1 wherein selecting said volumetric power density is accomplished by varying the duration of said emissions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 1 wherein selecting said volumetric power density is accomplished by varying the energy of said emissions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of choosing a wavelength for said laser beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 5 wherein said wavelength is greater than 400 nanometers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 5 further comprising the step of fixing a reference datum relative to said tissue, and said moving of said focal spot from said start point is done relative to said reference datum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 5 wherein said selecting step generates a quasi-continuous laser beam having a volumetric power density which changes the visco-elastic properties of the tissue to create a semi-liquification of said tissue at said focal spot of said beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 5 wherein said selecting step generates a quasi-continuous laser beam having a volumetric power density which modifies the tissue by photoablation at said focal spot of said beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 9 wherein said selected volumetric power density is characterized by emissions in said quasi-continuous laser beam having more than 4 microjoules of energy and a duration less than 10 picoseconds focused on an area of said tissue having less than a 10 micron diameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 10 wherein movement of said focal spot is confined to the interior of a selected tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 10 wherein moving said focal spot penetrates said tissue to create a passageway therethrough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 10 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns or approximately 2.94 microns and said beam is focused on the cornea of an eye to make T-cut incisions or incisions for a radial keratotomy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 10 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns or approximately 2.94 microns and said beam is focused onto the cornea of an eye for causing modification thereof to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye which comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; Identifying a reference datum on the eye; Focusing said laser beam at a selected point relative to said datum; Selecting a volumetric power density for said quasi-continuous laser beam; and Scanning the focal point relative to said datum in accordance with a predetermined movement to alter tissue at the focal point.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye which comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; Identifying a reference datum on the eye; Focusing said laser beam at a selected point relative to said datum; Selecting a volumetric power density for said quasi-continuous laser beam; and Scanning the focal point relative to said datum in accordance with a predetermined movement to alter tissue at the focal point.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 15 wherein selecting said volumetric power density is accomplished by varying the size of said spot whereon said laser beam is focused.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 15 wherein said quasi-continuous beam comprises an uninterrupted sequence of laser emissions having finite durations and selecting said volumetric power density is accomplished by varying the duration of said emissions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 15 wherein said reference datum is a surface of said tissue.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 18 wherein said reference datum further comprises the optical axis of said eye.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 15 further comprising the step of choosing a wavelength for said laser beam.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 20 wherein said chosen wavelength is greater than substantially 400 nanometers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 21 wherein said selecting step generates a quasi-continuous laser beam having a volumetric power density which changes the visco-elastic properties of the tissue to create a semiliquification of said tissue at said focal spot of said beam.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 22 wherein said selected volumetric power density is characterized by emissions in said quasi-continuous laser beam having less than 4 microjoules of energy and a duration less than 10 picoseconds focused on an area of said tissue having less than a 10 micron diameter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 22 wherein movement of said focal spot is confined to the interior of a selected tissue.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 24 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns and said beam is focused into the cornea of an eye for causing an internal modification thereof to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 24 wherein said beam is focused into the lens of an eye for causing an internal modification thereof to prevent presbyopia.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 21 wherein said selecting step generates a quasi-continuous laser beam having a volumetric power density which modifies the tissue by photoablation at said focal spot of said beam.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 27 wherein said selected volumetric power density is characterized by emissions in said quasi-continuous laser beam having more than 4 microjoules of energy and a duration less than 10 picoseconds focused on a volume of said tissue of less than 1000 cubic microns.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 27 wherein movement of said focal spot is confined to the interior of a selected tissue.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 29 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns and said beam is focused into the cornea of an eye for causing an internal modification thereof to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 29 wherein said beam is focused into the lens of an eye for causing an internal modification thereof to prevent presbyopia.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 27 wherein movement of said focal spot is confined to a volume of tissue, a portion of which defines part of the surface of said tissue.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 32 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers, 1.053 microns or approximately 2.94 microns and said beam is focused onto the cornea of an eye for causing a modification thereof to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 32 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns or approximately 2.94 microns and said beam is focused on the cornea of an eye to make T-cut incisions or incisions for a radial keratotomy.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 27 wherein moving said focal spot penetrates said tissue to create a passageway therethrough.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 61 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns and said beam is focused onto the iris of an eye for performing an iridectomy.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 35 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns and said beam is focused onto the iris of an eye for creating a plurality of said passageways therethrough.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 35 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns and said beam is focused onto the sclera of an eye for performing a sclerotomy.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method of using a quasi-continuous laser beam for changing the optical properties of the eye as recited in claim 35 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns or approximately 2.94 microns and said beam is focused onto the cornea of an eye for opening Schlemm's canal.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for correcting optical deficiencies of the eye by using a quasi-continuous laser beam to reshape the anterior surface of the cornea or make incisions into the anterior surface to the cornea which comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point on the cornea of the eye; choosing a wavelength for said laser beam which is greater than 400 nanometers; focusing said laser beam onto a spot which covers said start point; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam which is sufficiently greater than 4 microjoules/picosecond/1000 cubic microns to cause photoablation of the tissue; defining the tissue to be modified by said laser beam; and moving the focal spot of said laser beam from the start point through the tissue to be modified.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for correcting optical deficiencies of the eye by using a quasi-continuous laser beam to reshape the anterior surface of the cornea or make incisions into the anterior surface to the cornea which comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point on the cornea of the eye; choosing a wavelength for said laser beam which is greater than 400 nanometers; focusing said laser beam onto a spot which covers said start point; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam which is sufficiently greater than 4 microjoules/picosecond/1000 cubic microns to cause photoablation of the tissue; defining the tissue to be modified by said laser beam; and moving the focal spot of said laser beam from the start point through the tissue to be modified.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for correcting optical deficiencies of the eye by using a quasi-continuous laser beam to create a cavity within the stroma of the cornea of an eye or to modify tissue within the stroma of the cornea of an eye by changing its visco-elastic properties which comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point within the stroma; choosing a wavelength for said laser beam which is greater than 400 nanometers; focusing said laser beam onto a spot which covers said start point; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam; defining the volume of tissue to be modified by said laser beam; and moving the focal spot of said laser beam from said start point within said volume of tissue to other predetermined spots in said volume of tissue to modify said tissue according to said selected volumetric power density.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for correcting optical deficiencies of the eye by using a quasi-continuous laser beam to create a cavity within the stroma of the cornea of an eye or to modify tissue within the stroma of the cornea of an eye by changing its visco-elastic properties which comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point within the stroma; choosing a wavelength for said laser beam which is greater than 400 nanometers; focusing said laser beam onto a spot which covers said start point; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam; defining the volume of tissue to be modified by said laser beam; and moving the focal spot of said laser beam from said start point within said volume of tissue to other predetermined spots in said volume of tissue to modify said tissue according to said selected volumetric power density.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for relieving glaucoma by using a quasi-continuous laser beam to open fluid passageways through tissue which comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point in said tissue; choosing a wavelength for said beam which is greater than 400 nanometers; focusing said laser beam onto a spot which covers said start point; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam which is sufficiently greater than 4 microjoules/picosecond/1000 cubic microns to cause photoablation of the tissue; defining the tissue to be modified by said laser beam; and moving the focal spot of said laser beam from the start point through the tissue to be modified.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for relieving glaucoma by using a quasi-continuous laser beam to open fluid passageways through tissue which comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point in said tissue; choosing a wavelength for said beam which is greater than 400 nanometers; focusing said laser beam onto a spot which covers said start point; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam which is sufficiently greater than 4 microjoules/picosecond/1000 cubic microns to cause photoablation of the tissue; defining the tissue to be modified by said laser beam; and moving the focal spot of said laser beam from the start point through the tissue to be modified.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for correcting optical deficiencies of the eye by using a quasi-continuous laser beam to remove cataracts from the lens of the eye, to perform a capsulectomy or to modify the interior tissue of the lens by changing the vico-elastic properties of the lens tissue which comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point on said lens; focusing said laser beam onto a spot which covers said start point; choosing a wavelength for said beam which is in the visual or infrared range and above 400 nanometers; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam; defining a volume of said tissue to be modified by said laser beam; and moving the focal spot of said laser beam from said start point within said volume of tissue to affect said tissue according to said selected volumetric power density.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for correcting optical deficiencies of the eye by using a quasi-continuous laser beam to remove cataracts from the lens of the eye, to perform a capsulectomy or to modify the interior tissue of the lens by changing the vico-elastic properties of the lens tissue which comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point on said lens; focusing said laser beam onto a spot which covers said start point; choosing a wavelength for said beam which is in the visual or infrared range and above 400 nanometers; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam; defining a volume of said tissue to be modified by said laser beam; and moving the focal spot of said laser beam from said start point within said volume of tissue to affect said tissue according to said selected volumetric power density.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for the treatment of macular degeneration on the retina of the eye using a quasi-continuous laser beam which comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point on said retina; focusing said laser beam onto a spot which covers said start point; choosing a wavelength for said beam of approximately 1.053 microns; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam; defining the area of tissue to be modified by said laser beam; and moving the focal spot of said laser beam from said start point within said volume of tissue to modify said tissue according to said selected volumetric power density.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for the treatment of macular degeneration on the retina of the eye using a quasi-continuous laser beam which comprises the steps of: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point on said retina; focusing said laser beam onto a spot which covers said start point; choosing a wavelength for said beam of approximately 1.053 microns; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam; defining the area of tissue to be modified by said laser beam; and moving the focal spot of said laser beam from said start point within said volume of tissue to modify said tissue according to said selected volumetric power density.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam which comprises: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point in said tissue; focusing said laser beam onto a spot which covers said start point; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam; defining a volume of tissue to be modified by said laser beam; and moving the focal spot of said laser beam from said start point within said volume of tissue to other predetermined spots in said volume of tissue to modify said tissue according to said selected volumetric power density.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam which comprises: generating a beam of laser pulses, said beam comprising an uninterrupted sequence of at least one thousand pulses lasting for at least one second, wherein each of said pulses has less than 30 microjoules (30 uj) energy and is approximately one picosecond (1 psec) in duration; establishing a start point in said tissue; focusing said laser beam onto a spot which covers said start point; selecting a volumetric power density for said laser beam; defining a volume of tissue to be modified by said laser beam; and moving the focal spot of said laser beam from said start point within said volume of tissue to other predetermined spots in said volume of tissue to modify said tissue according to said selected volumetric power density.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 45 wherein selecting said volumetric power density is accomplished by varying the size of said spot whereon said laser beam is focused.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 45 wherein said quasi-continuous beam comprises an uninterrupted sequence of laser emissions having finite durations and selecting said volumetric power density is accomplished by varying the duration of said emissions.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 45 wherein said quasi-continuous beam comprises an uninterrupted sequence of laser emissions having finite durations and selecting said volumetric power density is accomplished by varying the energy of said emissions.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 45 further comprising the step of choosing a wavelength for said laser beam.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 44 wherein said wavelength is greater than 400 nanometers.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 49 further comprising the step of fixing a reference datum relative to said tissue, and said moving of said focal spot from said start point is done relative to said reference datum.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 49 wherein said selecting step generates a quasi-continuous laser beam having a volumetric power density which changes the visco-elastic properties of the tissue to create a semi-liquification of said tissue at said focal spot of said beam.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 52 wherein movement of said focal spot is confined to the interior of a selected tissue.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 53 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns and said beam is focused into the cornea of an eye for causing an internal modification thereof to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 53 wherein said beam is focused into the lens of an eye for causing an internal modification thereof to prevent presbyopia.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 52 wherein said selected volumetric power density is characterized by emissions in said quasi-continuous laser beam having less than 4 microjoules of energy and a duration less than 10 picoseconds focused on an area of said tissue having less than a 10 micron diameter.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 49 wherein said selecting step generates a quasi-continuous laser beam having a volumetric power density which modifies the tissue by photoablation at said focal spot of said beam.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 57 wherein said selected volumetric power density is characterized by emissions in said quasi-continuous laser beam having more than 4 microjoules of energy and a duration less than 10 picoseconds focused on a volume of said tissue of approximately 1000 cubic microns.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 57 wherein movement of said focal spot is confined to the interior of a selected tissue.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 59 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns and said beam is focused into the cornea of an eye for causing an internal modification thereof to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 14 wherein said beam is focused into the lens of an eye for causing an internal modification thereof to prevent presbyopia.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 57 wherein movement of said focal spot is confined to a volume of tissue, a portion of which defines part of the surface of said tissue.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 62 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 2.94 microns and said beam is focused onto the cornea of an eye for causing a modification thereof to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 62 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns and said beam is focused onto the retina of an eye for preventing or correcting macular degeneration.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 57 wherein moving said focal spot penetrates said tissue to create a passageway therethrough.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 65 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns and said beam is focused onto the iris of an eye for performing an iridectomy.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 65 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns and said beam is focused onto the iris of an eye for creating a plurality of said passageways therethrough.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 65 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns or approximately 2.94 microns and said beam is focused onto the sclera of an eye for performing a sclerotomy.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method for modifying tissue with a quasi-continuous laser beam as recited in claim 65 wherein said chosen wavelength is approximately 526 nanometers or approximately 1.053 microns or approximately 2.94 microns and said beam is focused onto the cornea of an eye for opening Schlemm's canal.
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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) | 1993-03-12 | 1993-09-11 | 1994-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-12 | 1997-09-11 | 1998-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-12 | 2001-09-11 | 2002-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |