US4977904A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Articles for the protection of living tissue
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-09-02
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Granted: 1990-12-18
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Expires: 2007-09-02
Abstract
Abstract An article for the protection of humans, animals and other articles from damage due to undesired exposure to lasers comprising a tubular element comprising at least one layer comprising a xerogel comprising at least one water-insoluble hydrophilic polymer wherein if said tubular element comprises at least three layers the layer adjacent the distal side, relative to the laser beams, of said xerogel layer comprises a metallic layer the proximal surface of which may be reflective or nonreflective of the laser beams and wherein said xerogel layer may further comprise a pigment. In addition, the layer on the distal side of said metallic layer may be a xerogel. During use of the articles of the invention the xerogels thereof are in a hydrated condition, i.e., they are hydrogels.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack W. Kaufman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/04; A61B46/00; A61B2090/049; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S602/00; Y10S602/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for effecting surgery and therapy on humans and animals with lasers without undesired exposure of said humans, animals and other articles to stray laser beams, comprising the steps of (a) inserting a tubular article comprising at least one layer comprising a xerogel comprising at least one hydrophilic water-insoluble polymer, into the body cavity, of said human or animal, wherein said surgery or treatment is to be effected; (b) applying said laser to the desired site; and (c) as necessary, adding to said xerogel layer water or an aqueous solution of additive, if any, to replace water lost from said layer during said surgery or treatment; wherein said tubular element may, as desired, be hydrated before or after insertion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for effecting surgery and therapy on humans and animals with lasers without undesired exposure of said humans, animals and other articles to stray laser beams, comprising the steps of (a) inserting a tubular article comprising at least one layer comprising a xerogel comprising at least one hydrophilic water-insoluble polymer, into the body cavity, of said human or animal, wherein said surgery or treatment is to be effected; (b) applying said laser to the desired site; and (c) as necessary, adding to said xerogel layer water or an aqueous solution of additive, if any, to replace water lost from said layer during said surgery or treatment; wherein said tubular element may, as desired, be hydrated before or after insertion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one layer on the side of the first layer opposite the side thereof first impacted by the stray laser beams is a metallic layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said article comprises at least three layers wherein at least one layer on the side of said metal layer opposite the side facing the first xerogel layer comprises a hydrophilic xerogel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the surface of the metallic layer on the side of the first xerogel layer has been made nonreflective to laser beams.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein at least one one xerogel layer further comprising at least one pigment is interposed between said first xerogel layer and said metallic layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the surface of the metallic layer on the side of the first xerogel layer has been made nonreflective to laser beams.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the surface of said metal layer adjacent said first xerogel layer is non-reflective of laser beams.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising a second hydrophilic xerogel layer interposed between said first xerogel and metallic layers wherein said second xerogel layer further comprises pigments selected from the group consisting of inorganic and organic pigments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said pigment is an inorganic pigment selected from the group consisting of TiO 2 , ZnO, the basic white carbonates, sulfates, and silicates of lead, ZnO, lithopone, Sb 2 O 3 , CaCO 3 , silicates of Mg and Al, pyrophillite, bentonite, mica, pumice, BaSO 4 , CaSO 4 , MgO, SiO 2 , diatomite, and powders of Al, Cu, Zn, Pb, Au, Ag, Ni and their alloys, bronzes and Stainless Steel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 said pigment is TiO 2 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, silver, gold and their alloys.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said metal is aluminum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said xerogel layer further comprises at least one pigment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the surface of the metallic layer on the side of the first xerogel layer has been made nonreflective to laser beams.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tubular element comprises at least two layers wherein the first layer, which is the first layer to be struck by the stray laser beams, comprises said xerogel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said first layer further comprises at least one pigment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the surface of the metallic layer on the side of the first xerogel layer has been made nonreflective to laser beams.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said xerogel layers comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, colorants and, pigment medications.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic water-insoluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene oxide)s and copolymers of acrylonitrile with acrylamide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said polymer is a poly(ethylene oxide).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said polymer is a poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylamide).
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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) | 1993-12-17 | 1994-06-18 | 1994-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-17 | 1998-06-18 | 1998-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-17 | 2002-06-18 | 2002-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |