Method and apparatus for modifying visual acuity by moving a focal point of energy within a cornea

• US 20020002369A1
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Published: 01/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1993
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Refractec, Inc. (Refractec LLC)
• Original Assignee: Refractec, Inc. (Refractec LLC)
• Inventors: Hood, Larry L.
• Application Number:
  US09/819,561
• Publication Number:
  US 20020002369A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00761 Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00886 Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/143 multiple needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/036 abutting on tissue or skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00844 Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00853 Laser thermal keratoplasty or radial keratotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00872 Cornea
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0079 using non-laser electromagnetic radiation, e.g. non-coherent light or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/008 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0133 Knives or scalpels specially adapted therefor

Abstract

A medical system that can direct energy onto a focal point located within a cornea. The system can vary the focal point of the energy through the cornea to create a column of denatured tissue within the cornea stroma layer. The denatured tissue modifies the visual acuity of the cornea.

Claims

1. A medical system that can denature a cornea, comprising:

an energy device that can direct energy to a focal point within the cornea; and

,

a movement device that moves the focal point of the energy.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said energy device includes a laser.

3. The medical device of claim 2, wherein said movement device includes a lens and a mechanism for moving a focal point of said lens.

4. The medical device of claim 3, wherein said mechanism includes a stepper motor.

5. The medical device of claim 3, wherein said mechanism includes a solenoid.

6. The medical device of claim 3, wherein said mechanism includes a shaped memory metal.

7. The medical device of claim 3, wherein said movement device includes a feedback sensor.

8. The medical device of claim 7, wherein said feedback sensor includes an optical encoder.

9. The medical device of claim 7, wherein said feedback sensor includes a linear variable differential transformer.

10. The medical device of claim 7, wherein said feedback sensor includes a h all effect sensor.

11. The medical device of claim 7, wherein said feedback sensor includes a proximity sensor.

12. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said energy device is a non-coherent light source.

13. The medical device of claim 12, wherein said movement device includes a lens and a mechanism for moving a focal point of said lens.

14. The medical device of claim 13, wherein said mechanism includes a stepper motor.

15. The medical device of claim 13, wherein said mechanism includes a solenoid.

16. The medical device of claim 13, wherein said mechanism includes a shaped memory metal.

17. The medical device of claim 13, wherein said movement device includes a feedback sensor.

18. The medical device of claim 17, wherein said feedback sensor includes an optical encoder.

19. The medical device of claim 17, wherein said feedback sensor includes a linear variable differential transformer.

20. The medical device of claim 17, wherein said feedback sensor includes a hall effect sensor.

21. The medical device of claim 17, wherein said feedback sensor includes a proximity sensor.

22. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said energy device includes an ultrasonic transducer.

23. The medical device of claim 22, wherein said movement device includes a mechanism for moving said ultrasonic transducer.

24. The medical device of claim 23, wherein said mechanism includes a stepper motor.

25. The medical device of claim 23, wherein said mechanism includes a solenoid.

26. The medical device of claim 23, wherein said mechanism includes a shaped memory metal.

27. The medical device of claim 23, wherein said movement device includes a feedback sensor.

28. The medical device of claim 27, wherein said feedback sensor includes an optical encoder.

29. The medical device of claim 27, wherein said feedback sensor includes a linear variable differential transformer.

30. The medical device of claim 27, wherein said feedback sensor includes a hall effect sensor.

31. The medical device of claim 27, wherein said feedback sensor includes a proximity sensor.

32. A medical device that can denature a cornea, comprising:

a plurality of energy devices that can each direct energy to a different focal point within the cornea; and

,

a controller that can select the energy devices so that the focal point of energy varies through the cornea.

33. The medical device of claim 32, wherein said energy devices include light sources.

34. The medical device of claim 32, wherein said energy devices include ultrasonic sources.

35. The medical device of claim 32, wherein said selector includes a controller.

36. A method for denaturing a cornea, comprising:

directing energy onto a focal point within the cornea; and

,

varying the focal point of the energy.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the energy creates a column of denatured tissue within a stroma of the cornea.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the energy is light.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the energy is ultrasonic.