EYE THERAPY SYSTEM

• US 20100094280A1
• Filed: 10/01/2009
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avedro, Inc. (Glaukos Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Avedro, Inc. (Glaukos Corporation)
• Inventors: Muller, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,460,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00005 Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00755 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0079 using non-laser electromagnetic radiation, e.g. non-coherent light or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/013 Instruments for compensation of ocular refraction A61F9/008 takes precedence; Instruments for use in cornea removal, for reshaping or performing incisions in the cornea

Abstract

A system includes a conducting element that conducts energy from an energy source to apply therapy to an eye. The system includes a covering configured to be removably attached to the conducting element. The covering has an interface surface that is positionable at an eye. At least a portion of the interface surface includes one or more dielectric materials. Energy is deliverable to the eye through the interface surface. In one aspect, the covering provides an electrical insulator to minimize the concentration of electrical current in the area of contact with the eye. In another aspect, the covering allows the eye to be cooled during the application of energy without directly applying coolant to the eye. In another aspect, the covering includes a dielectric layer that may provide varying impedances that allow different patterns for energy delivery. In another aspect, the sheath promotes hygienic use of the conducting element.

Claims

1. An energy conducting system for applying therapy to an eye, the system comprising:

a conducting element, the conducting element being configured to conduct energy from an energy source to apply therapy to an eye; and

a covering configured to be removably attached to the conducting element, the covering having an interface surface positionable at an eye, at least a portion of the interface surface including one or more dielectric materials, the energy from the energy conducting element being deliverable to the eye through the interface surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the covering forms an enclosure over a portion of the conducting element.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a coolant delivery system, the coolant delivery system being operable to deliver coolant within the enclosure to cool the interface surface of the covering and the eye, and the enclosure preventing the coolant from directly contacting the eye.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the conducting element includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode are separated by a gap, the conducting element conducts the energy to a distal end, and the covering is configured to be removably attached over the distal end.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the covering forms a cavity that receives the conducting element.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface surface is concave.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a carrier coupled to the covering, the carrier including a supporting structure defining a shape for the covering, and the carrier being configured to removably attach the covering to the conducting element.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the carrier is a molded thermoplastic polyurethane structure, and the covering is a polyurethane film that is thermally bonded to the carrier.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the supporting structure includes a collar that receives and engages a periphery of the conducting element.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the supporting structure includes a plurality of ribs that receive and engage a periphery of the conducting element.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the carrier engages the conducting element according to a press-fit.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more dielectric materials includes polyurethane.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy is delivered through the interface surface according to a pattern defined by the one or more dielectric materials, the one or more dielectric materials providing varying impedances for the interface surface.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein varying impedances are based on the thicknesses of the one or more dielectric materials.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the conducting element includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the interface surface includes sections of high impedance that prevent an electrode pair from forming between corresponding sections of the first electrode and the second electrode.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the pattern is asymmetric.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the pattern is non-annular.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the covering is one of a plurality of removably attachable coverings.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of removably attachable coverings provide a plurality of patterns for delivering energy through the interface surface.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the plurality of removably attachable coverings provide a plurality of patterns for delivering energy through the interface surface. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more dielectric materials defines a pattern for delivery of energy through the interface surface, the one or more dielectric materials providing varying impedances for the interface surface.

20. A device for insulating a portion of a conducting element, the conducting element being configured to deliver energy from an energy source to provide therapy to an eye, the device comprising:

a covering that defines an interface surface positionable at an eye, at least a portion of the interface surface including one or more dielectric materials, energy from an conducting element being deliverable to the eye through the interface surface; and

an attachment element coupled to the covering, the attachment element being removably attachable to the conducting element and being configured to position the interface surface relative to the conducting element.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the covering forms a cavity that receives the conducting element.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the covering forms an enclosure over a portion of the conducting element.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a coolant delivery system, the coolant delivery system being operable to deliver coolant within the enclosure to cool the interface surface of the covering and the eye, and the enclosure preventing the coolant from directly contacting the eye.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the conducting element includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode are separated by a gap, the conducting element conducts the energy to a distal end, and the covering is configured to be removably attached over the distal end.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the covering forms a cavity that receives the conducting element.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the interface surface is concave.

27. The system of claim 20, further comprising a carrier coupled to the covering, the carrier including a supporting structure defining a shape for the covering, and the carrier being configured to removably attach the covering to the conducting element.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the carrier is a molded thermoplastic polyurethane structure, and the covering is a polyurethane film that is thermally bonded to the carrier.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the supporting structure includes a collar that receives and engages a periphery of the conducting element.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the supporting structure includes a plurality of ribs that receive and engage a periphery of the conducting element.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the carrier engages the conducting element according to a press-fit.

32. The system of claim 20, wherein the one or more dielectric materials includes polyurethane.

33. The system of claim 20, wherein the energy is delivered through the interface surface according to a pattern defined by the one or more dielectric materials, the one or more dielectric materials providing varying impedances for the interface surface.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the varying impedances are based on the thicknesses of the one or more dielectric materials.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the conducting element includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the interface surface includes sections of high impedance that prevent an electrode pair from forming between corresponding sections of the first electrode and the second electrode.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the pattern is asymmetric.

37. The system of claim 33, wherein the pattern is non-annular.

38. The system of claim 20, wherein the covering is one of a plurality of removably attachable coverings.

40. An energy conducting system for applying therapy to an eye, the system comprising:

a conducting element including a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being separated by a gap, the conducting element being configured to deliver energy from an energy source to a distal end; and

a covering disposed at the distal end of the conducting element, the covering defining an interface surface positionable at an eye, the interface surface including one or more dielectric materials and one or more conductive materials, energy from the conducting element being deliverable to the eye through the interface surface.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the interface surface includes at least two conductive layers formed by the one or more conductive materials, the one or more dielectric materials separating the conductive layers.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the conductive layers include a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, the first conductive layer being aligned at least partially with the first electrode and the second conductive layer being aligned at least partially with the second electrode, and the one or more dielectric materials separating the first and second conductive layers.

43. The system of claim 40, wherein the interface surface includes one or more conductive layers formed by the one or more conductive materials, the one or more conductive layers being aligned at least partially with at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.

44. The system of claim 40, wherein the interface surface includes a single conductive layer formed by the one or more conductive materials, the single conductive layer being aligned at least partially with one of the first electrode and the second electrode, the one or more dielectric materials forming the remainder of the interface surface.

45. The system of claim 40, wherein the one or more dielectric materials form a dielectric layer that is aligned at least partially with the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode.

46. The system of claim 40, wherein the first electrode is substantially tubular, the second electrode is substantially cylindrical and disposed in the first electrode, the gap between the first and second electrode is annular.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the interface surface includes a single conductive layer formed by the one or more conductive materials, the single conductive layer being aligned at least partially with the first electrode or the second electrode, the one or more dielectric materials forming the remainder of the interface surface.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the interface surface includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer formed by the one or more conductive materials, the first conductive layer being aligned with the first electrode and the second conductive layer being aligned with the second electrode, the one or more dielectric materials forming an annular dielectric layer separating the first and second conductive layers.

49. The system of claim 40, wherein the covering forms an enclosure over the distal end of the conducting element.

50. The system of claim 49, further comprising a coolant delivery system, the coolant delivery system being operable to deliver coolant within the enclosure to cool the interface surface of the covering and the eye, and the enclosure preventing the coolant from directly contacting the eye.

51. The system of claim 40, wherein the covering forms a cavity that receives the conducting element.

52. The system of claim 40, wherein the interface surface is concave.

53. The system of claim 40, further comprising an attachment element coupled to the covering, the attachment element being removably attachable to the conducting element and to position the interface surface relative to the conducting element.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the attachment element comprises a carrier coupled to the covering, the carrier including a supporting structure defining a shape for the covering, and the carrier being configured to removably attach the covering to the conducting element.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the carrier is a molded thermoplastic polyurethane structure, and the covering is a polyurethane film that is thermally bonded to the carrier.

56. The system of claim 54, wherein the supporting structure includes a collar that receives and engages a periphery of the conducting element.

57. The system of claim 54, wherein the supporting structure includes a plurality of ribs that receive and engage a periphery of the conducting element.

58. The system of claim 54, wherein the carrier engages the conducting element according to a press-fit.

59. The system of claim 40, wherein the energy is delivered through the interface surface according to a pattern defined by the one or more dielectric materials, the one or more dielectric materials providing varying impedances for the interface surface.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the varying impedances are based on the thicknesses of the one or more dielectric materials.

61. The system of claim 59, wherein the conducting element includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the interface surface includes sections of high impedance that prevent an electrode pair from forming between corresponding sections of the first electrode and the second electrode.

62. The system of claim 59, wherein the pattern is asymmetric.

63. The system of claim 59, wherein the pattern is non-annular.

64. The system of claim 40, wherein the covering is one of a plurality of removably attachable coverings.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein the plurality of removably attachable coverings provide a plurality of patterns for delivering energy through the interface surface.