Corneal sculpting using laser energy
First Claim
1. A method of removing corneal tissue from a cornea of an eye of a patient, comprising:
- forming a layer of liquid which is reactive to laser radiation of a predetermined wavelength on a surface of the cornea at a thickness selected to cause microexplosions in said liquid at the surface of the cornea when subjected to said laser radiation of said predetermined wavelength;
directing said laser radiation of said predetermined wavelength onto said liquid; and
using said microexplosions in said liquid to remove particles of corneal tissue from said cornea.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A corneal sculpting system utilized for performing surgery to reshape the cornea of the eye. The system includes a laser delivery system that is coupled to a filter positioning system and a corneal topography system. The filter positioning system suspends a sculpting filter above the surface of the cornea. The sculpting filter controls the level of tissue removal that occurs in each area of the cornea by absorbing a certain percentage of the incident laser energy in various areas of the filter. The positioning system also has a conduit for delivering water to the corneal surface. A thin layer of water is heated by the application of the laser to cause microexplosions that dislodge and propel the tissue to ablate the cornea. The corneal topography system provides real time feedback on the curvature of the cornea, before during and after the surgery.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of removing corneal tissue from a cornea of an eye of a patient, comprising:
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forming a layer of liquid which is reactive to laser radiation of a predetermined wavelength on a surface of the cornea at a thickness selected to cause microexplosions in said liquid at the surface of the cornea when subjected to said laser radiation of said predetermined wavelength; directing said laser radiation of said predetermined wavelength onto said liquid; and using said microexplosions in said liquid to remove particles of corneal tissue from said cornea. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification