Multipolar corneal-shaping electrode with flexible removable skirt
First Claim
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1. An apparatus utilizing radio-frequency electrical energy without a remote electrode for reshaping a cornea comprising:
- a plurality of electrode means having tips;
housing means disposed about said plurality of electrode means;
insulating means disposed within said housing means between said electrode means;
means for positioning said tips of said electrode means adjacent but spaced from a cornea to be reshaped;
means for producing an alternative voltage in the radio-frequency range;
means for applying said radio-frequency voltage to said tips of said electrode means and thereby radio-frequency energy in a preselected pattern to the cornea to be reshaped;
means for flowing an electrically conductive liquid coolant in the vicinity of one said tip, over the cornea, and from the cornea in the vicinity of another tip; and
flexible skirt means removably secured to said housing means for effectively damming said coolant over the cornea so that it does not run off.
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Abstract
The disclosure relates to a multipolar probe using radiofrequency energy to reshape the cornea of an eye. The surface of the cornea is flushed continuously with a conductive coolant during operation.
797 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus utilizing radio-frequency electrical energy without a remote electrode for reshaping a cornea comprising:
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a plurality of electrode means having tips; housing means disposed about said plurality of electrode means; insulating means disposed within said housing means between said electrode means; means for positioning said tips of said electrode means adjacent but spaced from a cornea to be reshaped; means for producing an alternative voltage in the radio-frequency range; means for applying said radio-frequency voltage to said tips of said electrode means and thereby radio-frequency energy in a preselected pattern to the cornea to be reshaped; means for flowing an electrically conductive liquid coolant in the vicinity of one said tip, over the cornea, and from the cornea in the vicinity of another tip; and flexible skirt means removably secured to said housing means for effectively damming said coolant over the cornea so that it does not run off. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus utilizing radio-frequency energy to reshape a cornea comprising:
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an alternating voltage source; first, second, and third tubular electrodes, each having a tip, and each operably connected to said alternating voltage source; insulating means disposed between said electrodes to insulate one from another; a housing disposed about said electrodes and said insulating means; means for positioning said electrode tips a selected distance from the surface of the cornea; means for conducting an electrically conductive liquid coolant through at least one of said electrodes onto and over the cornea and then up at least one of the electrodes; and flexible skirt means removably secured to said housing for retaining said coolant over the cornea. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for reshaping a cornea using radio-frequency energy, said apparatus comprising:
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a source of alternating voltage; an inner tubular electrode having a tip and operably connected to said alternating voltage source; an outer tubular electrode having a tip operably connected to said alternating voltage source and annularly disposed about and spaced from said first tubular electrode; annular means for insulating said inner and outer electrodes from one another; a housing disposed about said inner and outer electrodes and said insulating means; means for positioning said inner and outer electrode tips a selected distance from the cornea; means for conducting a liquid coolant onto the cornea and from the cornea; and flexible skirt means removably secured to said housing for containing the coolant over the cornea. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification