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Method and apparatus to identify and treat neovascular membranes in the eye

  • US 5,279,298 A
  • Filed: 11/20/1992
  • Issued: 01/18/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A process for locating and treating an abnormality in the ocular vasculature of the fundus of the eye of a living body, said process comprising:

  • a. injecting a first bolus of a fluorescent dye composition into the circulatory system of the living body;

    b. allowing the first bolus to circulate through the body and through the ocular vasculature of the fundus;

    c. detecting the presence of the first bolus of dye in the ocular vasculature by diffusely irradiating the fundus of the eye with light energy from a first laser thus causing dye present in the vasculature to fluoresce;

    d. detecting the presence and location of the abnormality in the vasculature by examining the fluorescence in the vasculature and identifying at least one location (B) wherein the fluorescence differs from the fluorescence of the surrounding normal vasculature;

    e. focusing light energy from a second laser on the location (B) of the detected abnormality;

    f. injecting a second bolus of a second fluorescent dye composition into the circulatory system;

    g. detecting the presence of the second bolus of dye in the ocular vasculature; and

    h. applying light energy from a second laser to treat the detected abnormality.

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