System and method for reshaping an eye feature
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 configured to direct electrical energy to an eye positioned at 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;
a force measurement element configured to measure a force between at least one contact area and the surface of the eye;
a controller configured to receive, from the force measurement element, a first signal indicative of the measured force between the at least one contact area and the surface of the eye, the controller being further configured to determine whether at least a predetermined amount of force has been achieved based on the first signal; and
an adjustment system configured to move the at least one contact area at the distal end of the energy conducting element into engagement with the surface of the eye in response to a second signal received from the controller, the second signal being indicative of whether the measured force between the at least one contact area and the surface of the eye achieves at least the predetermined amount of force.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for applying therapy to an eye includes an applicator having a conducting element configured to direct energy from an energy source to an application end of the conducting element, where the application end has at least one eye contact portion. A positioning system positions the at least one eye contact portion in stable engagement with the eye surface. The conducting element is disposed within a housing for the applicator and at least one adjustment system is employed to move the conducting element relative to the housing. The at least one adjustment system enables controlled movement of the conducting element and the at least one eye contact portion against the corneal surface. In particular embodiments, sufficient contact between the applicator and the cornea is determined by causing applanation of the cornea. In other embodiments, at least one measurement device is employed to determine when sufficient contact has been established.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
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 configured to direct electrical energy to an eye positioned at 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; a force measurement element configured to measure a force between at least one contact area and the surface of the eye; a controller configured to receive, from the force measurement element, a first signal indicative of the measured force between the at least one contact area and the surface of the eye, the controller being further configured to determine whether at least a predetermined amount of force has been achieved based on the first signal; and an adjustment system configured to move the at least one contact area at the distal end of the energy conducting element into engagement with the surface of the eye in response to a second signal received from the controller, the second signal being indicative of whether the measured force between the at least one contact area and the surface of the eye achieves at least the predetermined amount of force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of using a system for applying therapy to an eye, the method comprising:
-
providing a system including an electrical energy source, an electrical energy conducting element, a force measurement element, a controller and an adjustment system, the 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 configured to direct electrical energy to an eye positioned at 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, the inner conductor being disposed within the outer conductor, the outer conductor and the inner conductor being separated by a gap; measuring, using the force measurement element, a force between at least one contact area and the surface of the eye; receiving, at the controller, a first signal from the force measurement element, the first signal being indicative of the measured force between the at least one contact area and the surface of the eye; determining, via the controller, whether at least a predetermined amount of force has been achieved based on the first signal; receiving, at the adjustment system, a second signal from the controller, the second signal being indicative of whether the measured force between the at least one contact area and the surface of the eye achieves at least the predetermined amount of force; and moving, using the adjustment system, the at least one contact area at the distal end of the energy conducting element into engagement with the surface of the eye in response to the second signal received from the controller. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification