Eye therapy system
First Claim
1. A system for applying therapy to an eye, the system comprising:
- an electrical energy source;
an electrical energy conducting element, comprising two conductors separated by a gap of a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the electrical conducting element operably connected to the electrical energy source and adapted to receive, at the proximal end, electrical energy generated by the electrical energy source and direct the electrical energy at the distal end, the distal end being positionable at an eye;
a coolant supply; and
at least one coolant delivery element in communication with the coolant supply, the at least one coolant delivery element being operable to deliver a pulse of coolant to the distal end, wherein the at least one coolant delivery element is positioned to deliver the pulse of coolant in the gap between the two conductors,wherein the electrical energy conducting element and the at least one coolant delivery element are included in a enclosed assembly, a dielectric material forming a bottom surface at the distal end, and the at least one coolant delivery element applies the pulse of coolant to the dielectric material positioned over the eye at the distal end, the at least one coolant delivery element delivering the coolant without forming a cooling layer between the dielectric and the eye.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and at least one coolant delivery element. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery elements are in communication with the coolant supply and are operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end.
167 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A system for applying therapy to an eye, the system comprising:
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an electrical energy source; an electrical energy conducting element, comprising two conductors separated by a gap of a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the electrical conducting element operably connected to the electrical energy source and adapted to receive, at the proximal end, electrical energy generated by the electrical energy source and direct the electrical energy at the distal end, the distal end being positionable at an eye; a coolant supply; and at least one coolant delivery element in communication with the coolant supply, the at least one coolant delivery element being operable to deliver a pulse of coolant to the distal end, wherein the at least one coolant delivery element is positioned to deliver the pulse of coolant in the gap between the two conductors, wherein the electrical energy conducting element and the at least one coolant delivery element are included in a enclosed assembly, a dielectric material forming a bottom surface at the distal end, and the at least one coolant delivery element applies the pulse of coolant to the dielectric material positioned over the eye at the distal end, the at least one coolant delivery element delivering the coolant without forming a cooling layer between the dielectric and the eye. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 39)
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25. A system for applying therapy to an eye, the system comprising:
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an energy source; a conducting element operably connected to the energy source and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the conducting element adapted to direct energy from the energy source to the distal end, the distal end being positionable at an eye; at least one coolant delivery element being operable to deliver a pulse of coolant to the distal end positioned over the eye; and a low pressure source that generates a low pressure at the distal end and causes evaporative cooling at the distal end when the pulse of coolant is delivered to the distal end wherein a dielectric material forms a bottom surface at the distal end of the conducting element, and the at least one coolant delivery element applies the pulse of coolant within a enclosed assembly to the dielectric material positioned over the eye at the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification