Apparatus and procedure for ultraviolet laser ablation
First Claim
1. (Amended) Apparatus for performing ultraviolet laser ablation of a surface, eg. an eye surface, including a laser delivery system having a laser source for generating a laser beam and optics for applying the laser beam to the surface to be ablated, means for providing a compatible liquid in contact with the surface to be ablated, in a position whereby said laser beam is applied to said surface through the liquid, wherein said laser source is arranged to generate said laser beam at about 213 nm.
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Abstract
Apparatus for performing ultraviolet laser ablation of a surface, eg. an eye surface, including a laser delivery system (7) having a laser source (1) for generating a laser beam (2) and optics for applying the laser beam to the surface to be ablated, means (20, 20′) for providing a compatible liquid (32) in contact with the surface (4a) to be ablated, in a position whereby said laser beam (2) is applied to said surface through the liquid, wherein the laser beam is of a wavelength that substantially is not absorbed by the liquid.
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Citations
27 Claims
- 1. (Amended) Apparatus for performing ultraviolet laser ablation of a surface, eg. an eye surface, including a laser delivery system having a laser source for generating a laser beam and optics for applying the laser beam to the surface to be ablated, means for providing a compatible liquid in contact with the surface to be ablated, in a position whereby said laser beam is applied to said surface through the liquid, wherein said laser source is arranged to generate said laser beam at about 213 nm.
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2. (Cancelled)
- 10. (Amended) A method of performing ultraviolet laser ablation of an eye surface including having natural liquid of the eye in contact with the eye surface to be ablated, and applying a laser beam to the eye surface through the liquid to effect ablation of the surface with the laser beam, wherein the laser beam is of a wavelength that substantially is not absorbed by the liquid.
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11. (Cancelled)
- 15. (New) A method of performing ultraviolet laser ablation of a surface including having a compatible liquid in contact with the surface to be ablated, and applying a laser beam to the surface through the liquid to effect ablation of the surface with the laser beam, wherein the laser beam is of a wavelength at about 213 nm.
- 19. (New) Apparatus for performing ultraviolet laser ablation of a surface, eg. an eye surface, including a laser delivery system having a laser source for generating a laser beam and optics for applying the laser beam to the surface to be ablated, means for providing a compatible liquid in contact with the surface to be ablated, in a position whereby said laser beam is applied to said surface through the liquid, wherein the laser beam is of a wavelength that substantially is not absorbed by the liquid, further including cap or ring means for contacting the surface to be ablated to retain liquid within the cap means, which cap or ring means further includes overlying wall means spaced from the surface which has a lens through which the ablating laser beam is directed.
- 25. (New) Apparatus for performing ultraviolet LASIK on an eye surface, including a laser delivery system having a laser source for generating a laser beam and optics for applying the laser beam to the surface to be ablated, means for providing a compatible liquid in contact with the surface to be ablated, in a position whereby said laser beam is applied to said surface through the liquid, wherein the laser beam is of a wavelength that substantially is not absorbed by the liquid, and further including microkeratome means for cutting a flap from the cornea to expose an interior surface to be ablated, wherein a common ring serves both as a guide ring for the microkeratome and as means for retaining liquid in contact with the surface to be ablated.
Specification