US4976709A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for collagen treatment
Assignee: RJW ACQUISTIONS LC D/B/A 20/20 TECHNOLOGIES Inc
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Filing: 1989-06-30
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Granted: 1990-12-11
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Expires: 2009-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A method for controlled thermal shrinkage of collagen tissue by irradiation with coherent energy in the wavelength band of 1.80 to 2.55 microns as generated by a laser. A specific application to ophthalmological corneal reshaping is described.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce J. Sand
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F2009/00853; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00872
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
27 words
A method for shrinking collagen tissue comprising the step of irradiating the tissue with energy having a wavelength in the range of about 1.80 to 2.55 microns.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
27 words
A method for shrinking collagen tissue comprising the step of irradiating the tissue with energy having a wavelength in the range of about 1.80 to 2.55 microns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the energy is delivered as a pulse with a duration in the range of about 0.01 to 1.0 second.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method defined in claim 2 wherein the pulse has a duration of about 0.1 seconds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the energy is focused to produce an energy density in the tissue of up to 100 joules per square centimeter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the energy is focused to a spot with a diameter in the range of 0.25 to 2.0 millimeters.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
19 words
The method defined in claim wherein the energy wavelength is in the range of about 2.0 to 2.2 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A keratoplasty method for shape modification of a cornea comprising the step of irradiating the cornea with energy having a wavelength in the range of about 1.80 to 2.55 microns to shrink collagen tissue in the cornea.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A keratoplasty method for shape modification of a cornea comprising the step of irradiating the cornea with energy having a wavelength in the range of about 1.80 to 2.55 microns to shrink collagen tissue in the cornea.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method defined in claim 7 and further comprising the step of cooling an anterior surface of the cornea during irradiation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method defined in claim 8 wherein the energy is delivered as a pulse with a duration in the range of about 0.01 to 1.0 second.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method defined in claim 8 wherein the pulse has a duration of about 0.1 seconds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 8 wherein the energy is focused to produce an energy density in the tissue of up to 100 joules per square centimeter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method defined in claim 11 wherein the energy is focused to a spot with a diameter in the range of 0.25 to 2.0 millimeters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method defined in claim 12 wherein the energy wavelength is in the range of about 2.0 to 2.2 microns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method defined in claim 13 wherein said irradiating step is repeated to produce multiple zones of collagen shrinkage to effect an overall corneal shape change which corrects a refractive error.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
A keratoplasty method for shape modification of a cornea, comprising the step of irradiating the cornea with coherent laser energy of infrared wavelength corresponding to corneal-collagen absorption coefficients in the range of about 15 to 120 cm -1 , and thereby to heat and shrink the corneal collagen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
A keratoplasty method for shape modification of a cornea, comprising the step of irradiating the cornea with coherent laser energy of infrared wavelength corresponding to corneal-collagen absorption coefficients in the range of about 15 to 120 cm -1 , and thereby to heat and shrink the corneal collagen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method defined in claim 15 wherein the energy is applied as at least one energy pulse with a duration in the range of about 0.01 to 1.0 second.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method defined in claim 15 wherein the energy is applied to produce an energy density of up to 100 joules per square centimeter in a stromal region of the cornea.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method defined in claim 17 wherein the energy wavelength is in the range of 1.80 to 2.55 microns.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method defined in claim 18 wherein the irradiating step is repeated to produce multiple zones of collagen shrinkage to effect an overall corneal shape change which corrects a refractive error.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method defined in claim 19 wherein the energy wavelength is in the range of about 2.0 to 2.2 microns, the pulse duration is about 0.1 seconds, and the energy is focused to a spot size in the range of about 0.25 to 2 millimeters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19 wherein each zone is subjected to multiple pulse applications of energy.
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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) | 1993-12-10 | 1994-06-11 | 1994-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-10 | 1998-06-11 | 1998-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-10 | 2002-06-11 | 2002-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |