EYE THERAPY SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A system for applying therapy to an eye, the system comprising:
- an electrical energy source; and
an electrical energy conducting element extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the energy conducting element operably connected to the electrical energy source at the proximal end and adapted to direct electrical energy to the distal end, the energy conducting element including;
an outer conductor extending to the distal end; and
an inner conductor extending to the distal end and disposed within the outer conductor, the outer conductor and the inner conductor being separated by a gap, the inner conductor having an opening at the distal end and a contact area along a periphery of the opening, the contact area being positionable at a surface of an eye, and the electrical energy being applied to the eye according to the contact area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and a coolant delivery system. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery system is in communication with the coolant supply and is operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end.
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Citations
55 Claims
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1. A system for applying therapy to an eye, the system comprising:
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an electrical energy source; and an electrical energy conducting element extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the energy conducting element operably connected to the electrical energy source at the proximal end and adapted to direct electrical energy to the distal end, the energy conducting element including; an outer conductor extending to the distal end; and an inner conductor extending to the distal end and disposed within the outer conductor, the outer conductor and the inner conductor being separated by a gap, the inner conductor having an opening at the distal end and a contact area along a periphery of the opening, the contact area being positionable at a surface of an eye, and the electrical energy being applied to the eye according to the contact area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for applying therapy to an eye, the method comprising:
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positioning a contact area of an electrical energy conducting element at a surface of an eye, the energy conducting element being operably connected to an electrical energy source at the proximal end and extending to the contact area at a distal end, the energy conducting element including; an outer conductor extending to the distal end; and an inner conductor extending to the distal end and disposed within the outer conductor, the outer conductor and the inner conductor being separated by a gap, the inner conductor including the contact area, the contact area being disposed along a periphery of an opening at the distal end of the inner conductor; and applying electrical energy through the electrical energy conducting element to the eye according to the contact area. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for applying therapy to an eye, the method comprising:
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positioning an electrical energy conducting element at a surface of an eye, the energy conducting element extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the energy conducting element operably connected to an electrical energy source at the proximal end; and applying a selected amount of electrical energy through the electrical energy conducting element to the eye, the selected amount of electrical energy being applied according to a power parameter and a time parameter, the power parameter and the time parameter generating structural changes in a localized volume in the eye, the selected amount of electrical energy being deliverable according to a range of power values and a range of corresponding time values, the power parameter being an upper power value in the range of power values, and the time parameter being a lower time value in the range of time values. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for applying therapy to an eye with an electrical energy conducting element, the energy conducting element extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the energy conducting element operably connected to an electrical energy source at the proximal end and configured to deliver electrical energy to generate a structural changes in the eye positioned at the distal end, the method comprising:
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positioning the energy conducting element to the eye; and applying a selected amount of electrical energy through the electrical energy conducting element to the eye according to a power parameter and a time parameter, the power parameter being greater than a threshold value determining structural changes in a localized volume in the eye, and a time parameter being less than a value of approximately 100 ms. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification