US5374265A — Collagen treatment apparatus and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 87 words

A keratoplasty system, comprising: a surgical laser that generates a first radiation beam within a wavelength range of about 1.80 to 2.55 microns, an aiming laser that generates a second radiation beam, a substantially transparent heat sink especially adapted to be positionable in contact with the surface of a cornea, means receiving said first and second radiation beams for directing them through said heat sink toward said corneal surface in a controlled pattern of a plurality of dots, and means for allowing binocular viewing of the cornea.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 87 words

A keratoplasty system, comprising: a surgical laser that generates a first radiation beam within a wavelength range of about 1.80 to 2.55 microns, an aiming laser that generates a second radiation beam, a substantially transparent heat sink especially adapted to be positionable in contact with the surface of a cornea, means receiving said first and second radiation beams for directing them through said heat sink toward said corneal surface in a controlled pattern of a plurality of dots, and means for allowing binocular viewing of the cornea.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein said directing means includes means for causing said pattern of a plurality of dots to be substantially circular.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of reshaping the curvature of a cornea, comprising the steps of: providing a source of infrared radiation within a wavelength range of 1.80 to 2.55 microns, and exposing at least one zone of an outside surface of the cornea to said radiation in a manner to raise the temperature of collagen tissue within a corneal stroma sufficient to shrink collagen tissue therein but without causing any substantial damage to either a corneal epithelium layer or corneal strata that underlie the stroma, whereby the shrinkage of said collagen causes the reshaping of the cornea.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of reshaping the curvature of a cornea, comprising the steps of: providing a source of infrared radiation within a wavelength range of 1.80 to 2.55 microns, and exposing at least one zone of an outside surface of the cornea to said radiation in a manner to raise the temperature of collagen tissue within a corneal stroma sufficient to shrink collagen tissue therein but without causing any substantial damage to either a corneal epithelium layer or corneal strata that underlie the stroma, whereby the shrinkage of said collagen causes the reshaping of the cornea.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method according to claim 3 wherein the radiation providing step includes the step of using a laser as the source of the radiation.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method according to claim 3 wherein the radiation exposing step includes the step of creating a temperature profile through the cornea at said at least one zone that has a maximum temperature in an anterior portion of the stroma.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method according to claim 5 wherein said maximum temperature is caused to be in excess of about 60° C.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method according to claim 6 wherein said exposing step is additionally accomplished without destruction or substantial damage to collagen tissue within the stroma.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method according to claim 3 wherein the radiation exposing step includes the step of directing a sequence pulses of said radiation to the outside cornea surface.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method according to claim 8 which comprises the additional step of measuring refractive properties of the cornea before, during and after the radiation pulse exposing step.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method according to claim 3 wherein the radiation exposing step includes the step of directing said radiation against a plurality of zones across the outside cornea surface.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method according to claim 10 wherein the infrared radiation source providing step includes providing a source of radiation within a wavelength range of from 2.0 to 2.2 microns.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method according to claim 3, comprising an additional step of positioning an optically transparent heat sink in contact with the outside surface of the cornea.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method according to claim 12 wherein the heat sink positioning step includes the step of positioning sapphire against the outside surface of the cornea.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method according to claim 12 wherein the infrared radiation source providing step includes providing a source of radiation within a wavelength range of from 2.0 to 2.2 microns.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method according to claim 3 wherein the step of exposing a plurality of zones of the cornea outside surface to radiation includes directing radiation against the cornea in a pattern of dotted radial spokes extending outward from an untreated central circular part of the cornea.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method according to claim 3 wherein the step of exposing a plurality of zones of the cornea outside surface to radiation includes directing radiation against the cornea in a dotted circular pattern centered on an axis of the cornea.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method according to claim 3 wherein the step of exposing a plurality of zones of the cornea outside surface to radiation includes directing radiation against the cornea in a dotted linear array on a meridian of the cornea.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method according to claim 3 wherein the infrared radiation source providing step includes providing a source of radiation within a wavelength range of from 2.0 to 2.2 microns.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method according to claim 5 wherein the infrared radiation source providing step includes providing a source of radiation within a wavelength range of from 2.0 to 2.2 microns.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 107 words

A method of modifying the curvature of a cornea, comprising the steps of: providing a source of infrared radiation within a wavelength range having corneal collagen absorption coefficients substantially only within a range of about 15 cm -1 to 120 cm -1 , exposing at least one zone of an outside surface of the cornea to said radiation in a manner to raise the temperature of collagen tissue within a corneal stroma sufficient to shrink collagen tissue therein but without causing any substantial damage to a corneal strata that underlies the stroma, whereby the shrinkage of said collagen causes the curvature of the cornea to be modified.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 107 words

A method of modifying the curvature of a cornea, comprising the steps of: providing a source of infrared radiation within a wavelength range having corneal collagen absorption coefficients substantially only within a range of about 15 cm -1 to 120 cm -1 , exposing at least one zone of an outside surface of the cornea to said radiation in a manner to raise the temperature of collagen tissue within a corneal stroma sufficient to shrink collagen tissue therein but without causing any substantial damage to a corneal strata that underlies the stroma, whereby the shrinkage of said collagen causes the curvature of the cornea to be modified.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method according to claim 20 wherein the radiation exposing step includes using a laser as the source of the radiation.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method according to claim 20 wherein the radiation exposing step includes the step of creating a temperature profile through the cornea at said at least one zone that has a maximum temperature in an anterior portion of the stroma.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method according to claim 22 wherein said maximum temperature is caused to be in excess of about 60° C.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method according to claim 23 wherein said radiation exposing step is additionally accomplished without destruction or substantial damage to collagen tissue within the stroma.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method according to claim 20 wherein the radiation exposing step includes the step of directing a sequence pulses of said radiation to the outside cornea surface.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method according to claim 25 which comprises the additional step of measuring refractive properties of the cornea before, during and after the radiation pulse exposing step.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method according to claim 20 wherein the radiation exposing step includes the step of directing said radiation against a plurality of zones across the outside cornea surface.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method according to claim 27 wherein the step of directing said radiation against plurality of zones includes the step of causing said zones to include a plurality of dots arranged in a curved path.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method according to claim 27 wherein the step of directing said radiation against plurality of zones includes the step of causing said zones to include a plurality of dots arranged in a circle with a center substantially at an axis of the cornea.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method according to claim 29 comprising an additional step of positioning an optically transparent heat sink in contact with the outside surface of the cornea.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method according to claim 27 wherein the step of exposing a plurality of zones of the cornea outside surface to radiation includes directing radiation against the cornea in a pattern of dotted radial spokes extending outward from an untreated central circular part of the cornea.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method according to claim 27 wherein the step of exposing a plurality of zones of the cornea outside surface to radiation includes directing radiation against the cornea in a dotted linear array on a meridian of the cornea.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method according to claim 20 comprising an additional step of positioning an optically transparent heat sink in contact with the outside surface of the cornea.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method according to claim 20 wherein the radiation exposing step includes directing radiation against the cornea in the shape of at least one dot having a diameter substantially within a range of 0.25 mm. to 2.0 mm.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method according to claim 20 which comprises the additional steps of measuring refractive properties of the cornea before and after the exposing step.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method according to claim 20 wherein the exposing step includes exposing said zone to said radiation in a manner to raise the temperature of collagen tissue within a corneal stroma sufficient to shrink collagen tissue therein but without causing any substantial damage to a corneal epithelium layer.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 76 words

Apparatus for modifying a shape of a cornea, comprising: a source of radiation having a wavelength within a range of 1.80 to 2.55 microns, means transparent to said radiation for contacting an outer surface of a human cornea in order to conduct heat from said surface, and a system delivering said radiation through said contacting means with enough energy to raise a temperature of tissue within the cornea sufficient to modify the shape of the cornea.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 76 words

Apparatus for modifying a shape of a cornea, comprising: a source of radiation having a wavelength within a range of 1.80 to 2.55 microns, means transparent to said radiation for contacting an outer surface of a human cornea in order to conduct heat from said surface, and a system delivering said radiation through said contacting means with enough energy to raise a temperature of tissue within the cornea sufficient to modify the shape of the cornea.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 24 words

Apparatus according to claim 37 wherein the radiation delivering system is characterized by delivering said radiation through said contacting means in a controlled pattern.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 38 wherein said controlled pattern includes a plurality of dots.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 22 words

Apparatus according to claim 39 wherein the radiation delivering system is further characterized by delivering said plurality of dots sequentially in time.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 24 words

Apparatus according to claim 39 wherein the individual dots are circles having a diameter substantially within a range of 0.25 mm. to 2.0 mm.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus according to claim 38 wherein said controlled pattern includes a plurality of dots arranged in a circular pattern.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 21 words

Apparatus according to claim 38 wherein said controlled pattern includes a plurality of dots arranged in at least one linear array.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 38 wherein said controlled pattern includes one or more lines.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 40 words

Apparatus according to claim 38 which additionally comprises an aiming laser positioned with a visible beam therefrom directed through said contacting means according to said controlled pattern, whereby the location of the pattern from the radiation source is made visible.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 45 wherein the radiation source is a laser.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus according to claim 37 wherein the radiation source is characterized by emitting said radiation in a series of pulses.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 37 wherein the radiation source is a laser.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus according to claim 37 wherein the radiation source has a wavelength within a range of 2.0 to 2.2 microns.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 16 words

Apparatus according to claim 37 which additionally comprises means for measuring a shape of the cornea.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 26 words

Apparatus according to claim 50 which additionally comprises computer means responsive to the measuring means for controlling a distribution of radiation by the radiation delivering means.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus according to claim 51 wherein the radiation source has a wavelength within a range of 2.0 to 2.2 microns.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said contacting means includes a contact lens window.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus according to claim 53 wherein the radiation source has a wavelength within a range of 2.0 to 2.2 microns.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 13 words

Apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said delivering system includes an optical fiber.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 101 words

A keratoplasty system, comprising: a surgical laser that generates a first radiation beam having a wavelength range corresponding to a range of corneal collagen absorption coefficients of about 15 cm -1 to about 120 cm -1 , an aiming laser that generates a second radiation beam, a substantially transparent heat sink especially adapted to be positionable in contact with the surface of a cornea, means receiving said first and second radiation beams for directing them through said heat sink toward said corneal surface in a controlled pattern of a plurality of dots, and means for allowing binocular viewing of the cornea.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 101 words

A keratoplasty system, comprising: a surgical laser that generates a first radiation beam having a wavelength range corresponding to a range of corneal collagen absorption coefficients of about 15 cm -1 to about 120 cm -1 , an aiming laser that generates a second radiation beam, a substantially transparent heat sink especially adapted to be positionable in contact with the surface of a cornea, means receiving said first and second radiation beams for directing them through said heat sink toward said corneal surface in a controlled pattern of a plurality of dots, and means for allowing binocular viewing of the cornea.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 89 words

Apparatus for modifying a shape of a cornea, comprising: a source of radiation having a wavelength range corresponding to a range of corneal collagen absorption coefficients of about 15 cm -1 to about 120 cm -1 , means transparent to said radiation for contacting an outer surface of a human cornea in order to conduct heat from said surface, and a system delivering said radiation through said contacting means with enough energy to raise a temperature of tissue within the cornea sufficient to modify the shape of the cornea.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 89 words

Apparatus for modifying a shape of a cornea, comprising: a source of radiation having a wavelength range corresponding to a range of corneal collagen absorption coefficients of about 15 cm -1 to about 120 cm -1 , means transparent to said radiation for contacting an outer surface of a human cornea in order to conduct heat from said surface, and a system delivering said radiation through said contacting means with enough energy to raise a temperature of tissue within the cornea sufficient to modify the shape of the cornea.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus according to claim 57 wherein the radiation source is characterized by emitting said radiation in a series of pulses.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 57 wherein the radiation source is a laser.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 24 words

Apparatus according to claim 57 wherein the radiation delivering system is characterized by delivering said radiation through said contacting means in a controlled pattern.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus according to claim 60 wherein said controlled pattern includes a plurality of dots.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 40 words

Apparatus according to claim 60 which additionally comprises an aiming laser positioned with a visible beam therefrom directed through said contacting means according to said controlled pattern, whereby the location of the pattern from the radiation source is made visible.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 62 wherein the radiation source is a laser.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-12-19	1998-06-20	1998-12-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-12-19	2002-06-20	2002-12-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-12-19	2006-06-20	2006-12-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Collagen treatment apparatus and method

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