Eye therapy system
First Claim
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 a distal end to apply therapy to an eye, the conducting element including a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a gap; and
a covering configured to be removably attached to the distal end of the conducting element such that at least one of a distal end of the first electrode and a distal end of the second electrode are in direct contact with the covering, the covering having an interface surface positionable at the 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, the covering being a flexible sheath structure prior to being removably attached to the distal end of the conducting element, the covering being configured to be removed from the distal end of the conducting element as the flexible sheath structure,wherein the covering is one of a plurality of removably attachable coverings.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. An energy conducting system for applying therapy to an eye, the system comprising:
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a conducting element, the conducting element being configured to conduct energy from an energy source to a distal end to apply therapy to an eye, the conducting element including a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a gap; and a covering configured to be removably attached to the distal end of the conducting element such that at least one of a distal end of the first electrode and a distal end of the second electrode are in direct contact with the covering, the covering having an interface surface positionable at the 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, the covering being a flexible sheath structure prior to being removably attached to the distal end of the conducting element, the covering being configured to be removed from the distal end of the conducting element as the flexible sheath structure, wherein the covering is one of a plurality of removably attachable coverings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An energy conducting system for applying therapy to an eye, the system comprising:
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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 such that at least a portion of the covering extends from the first electrode to the second electrode enclosing the gap at the distal end, the covering being in direct contact with at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode and defining an interface surface positionable at a surface of the 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, wherein the covering is one of a plurality of removably attachable coverings. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An energy conducting system for applying therapy to an eye, the system comprising:
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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; a covering including a contact surface and a wall, the contact surface and the wall defining a cavity, the distal end of the conducting element being disposed within the cavity such that the contact surface is in direct contact with at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, at least a portion of the contact surface is aligned over the gap at the distal end, the contact surface being positionable at a surface of the eye, the covering including one or more dielectric materials, energy from the conducting element being deliverable to the eye through the contact surface; and a coolant delivery system, the coolant delivery system being operable to deliver a coolant to the contact surface of the covering, the covering preventing the coolant from directly contacting the eye, the coolant delivery system being positioned to deliver the coolant in the gap between first electrode and the second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification