US5643250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser probe hand piece
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-06-12
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Granted: 1997-07-01
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Expires: 2015-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A laser probe hand piece for use in laser eye surgery is disclosed having a housing fiber optic energy being fiber housed therein. The housing includes a infusion port whereby irrigating solution can be infused into the eye to cool and irrigate the surgical area, and the housing also houses an aspiration means whereby fluid and excised tissue can be aspirated from the surgical field. The laser probe hand piece and associated console employ a feedback loop cutoff whereby the laser energy is cut off if the laser is not in contact with the target tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis E. O'Donnell, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00802; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00035; A61F2009/00844; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/0087; A61F2009/00885; A61F2009/00887
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
A laser probe hand piece utilizing laser energy for the surgical destruction and removal of cataract from the lens of an eye, while supplying an irrigating fluid thereto, comprising: a hand piece, said hand piece having a front thereof; a housing formed in said hand piece; a fiber optic fiber disposed within said housing for conducting laser energy so as to break down the cataract tissue during functioning; an energy source for delivering laser energy to the fiber optic fiber; a housing means surrounding said housing and provided for introducing an irrigating solution to the cataract tissue during surgery; means located on said housing for aspirating such irrigation solution and cataract tissue from the lens; said hand piece housing cooperating with said aspirating means for aspirating such irrigating solution and cataract tissue from the lens of the eye; said fiber optic fiber having a forwardly disposed end provided proximate the front of the hand piece and within said housing, and a sapphire laser tip provided connecting to the forwardly disposed end of the fiber optic fiber for focusing the conducted laser energy at the cataract to break down the cataract tissue, said housing means having a port formed therein, said port disposed to allow a flow of irrigating solution through said housing means to the cataract tissue, said port operatively connected to a suction device, thereby providing aspiration; said fiber optic fiber is quartz and the sapphire laser tip being sculpted; and a feedback loop means for shutting off that energy source unless the laser probe is in contact with such cataract tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
A laser probe hand piece utilizing laser energy for the surgical destruction and removal of cataract from the lens of an eye, while supplying an irrigating fluid thereto, comprising: a hand piece, said hand piece having a front thereof; a housing formed in said hand piece; a fiber optic fiber disposed within said housing for conducting laser energy so as to break down the cataract tissue during functioning; an energy source for delivering laser energy to the fiber optic fiber; a housing means surrounding said housing and provided for introducing an irrigating solution to the cataract tissue during surgery; means located on said housing for aspirating such irrigation solution and cataract tissue from the lens; said hand piece housing cooperating with said aspirating means for aspirating such irrigating solution and cataract tissue from the lens of the eye; said fiber optic fiber having a forwardly disposed end provided proximate the front of the hand piece and within said housing, and a sapphire laser tip provided connecting to the forwardly disposed end of the fiber optic fiber for focusing the conducted laser energy at the cataract to break down the cataract tissue, said housing means having a port formed therein, said port disposed to allow a flow of irrigating solution through said housing means to the cataract tissue, said port operatively connected to a suction device, thereby providing aspiration; said fiber optic fiber is quartz and the sapphire laser tip being sculpted; and a feedback loop means for shutting off that energy source unless the laser probe is in contact with such cataract tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the laser energy source provides ultraviolet energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the laser energy source is infrared energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the wave length is 308 NM.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the laser energy source is delivered in the continuous mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the laser energy is provided in a pulse mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the feedback loop means further comprises means for analyzing a reflected beam to sense a contiguity of the cataract tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein the feedback loop means for shutting off said energy source further comprises a reflected light analysis means, said reflected light analyzing means located in a console, said reflect light analyzing means exposed to the reflectance of said laser energy reflected from such cataract tissue, said reflected light analyzing means disposed so as to shut off said energy source when the reflectance of the tissue decreases.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein said reflected light analyzing means is programmable so as to discontinue said laser energy if the reflected light indicates that the laser energy is not contacting a target tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
A laser probe for the surgical destruction and removal of cataract from the lens of an eye comprising: a hand piece; a fiber optic fiber disposed within said hand piece for the delivery of a laser energy so as to break down the cataract tissue; an energy source; means integrally on said hand piece for introducing irrigating solution to such cataract tissue during surgery; means integrally on said hand piece for aspirating such irrigating solution and cataract tissue from the lens; and feedback loop means for shutting off said energy source unless the laser probe is in contact with such cataract tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
A laser probe for the surgical destruction and removal of cataract from the lens of an eye comprising: a hand piece; a fiber optic fiber disposed within said hand piece for the delivery of a laser energy so as to break down the cataract tissue; an energy source; means integrally on said hand piece for introducing irrigating solution to such cataract tissue during surgery; means integrally on said hand piece for aspirating such irrigating solution and cataract tissue from the lens; and feedback loop means for shutting off said energy source unless the laser probe is in contact with such cataract tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein the feedback loop means further comprises a reflectant aiming beam to sense the cataract tissue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein the aiming beam further comprises a helium neon beam or diode laser.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein the feedback loop means for shutting off said energy source further comprises a reflection determining means, said reflection determining means located in said hand piece, said reflection determining means disposed to the reflectance of a aiming beam reflected from such cataract tissue, reflectance determining means disposed so as to shut off said energy source when the reflectance of the tissue decreases.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of ablating cataract tissue in the lens of an eye, comprising: inserting a laser probe into such lens; positioning the laser probe against the cataract tissue; activating the laser energy; instilling irrigating solution on and around the cataract tissue through said probe so as to cool and to suspend such cataract tissue; destroying such cataract tissue; aspirating such irrigating solution and destroying cataract tissue from the lens through an aspiration port located on said laser probe; discontinuing the laser energy; withdrawing the laser probe from the eye; and using an aiming feedback loop to sense the cataract tissue.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of ablating cataract tissue in the lens of an eye, comprising: inserting a laser probe into such lens; positioning the laser probe against the cataract tissue; activating the laser energy; instilling irrigating solution on and around the cataract tissue through said probe so as to cool and to suspend such cataract tissue; destroying such cataract tissue; aspirating such irrigating solution and destroying cataract tissue from the lens through an aspiration port located on said laser probe; discontinuing the laser energy; withdrawing the laser probe from the eye; and using an aiming feedback loop to sense the cataract tissue.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 comprising automatically cutting off of said laser energy when the laser probe is not sensing the cataract tissue.
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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) | 2000-06-30 | 2000-12-30 | 2001-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-30 | 2004-12-30 | 2005-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-30 | 2008-12-30 | 2009-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |