Method and apparatus for improved laser surgery
US5092864A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1990 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N5/062
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing greater precision placement and control of the delivery of laser energy during laser surgery is disclosed and includes a pulse-controlled dye delivery system which may be coordinated with the delivery of laser energy to predetermined tissue. The pulse-controlled dye delivery system comprises at least one ejection head capable of ejecting drops of liquid dye with the diameter of each drop being less than two hundred microns. The dye is responsive to the wavelength of energy delivered by the laser performing the surgery to convert the laser energy from the surgical laser to tissue thermal energy. Circuitry is provided for precisely activating the dye delivery system and the laser energy source such that optimal conditions for successful outcome of the surgery may be achieved. Because of the small amount of dye deposited on the tissue and the very short time the dye is on the tissue before the laser energy arrives, the dye does not spread from the desired spot and concentrates the laser energy at the desired spot.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.