Method and apparatus for excision endpoint control
US5196006A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 1991 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2009/00872
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for determining the depth of excision generated by a material removal process, for determining the thickness of unablated material below the excision or incision, and for providing endpoint control of a material removal process utilize acoustic transducers for measuring the time delay between a first acoustic pulse resulting from material removal and a second acoustic pulse reflected from a distal surface or boundary layer of the material. The time delay between the two pulses detected by the transducer provides a measure of excision depth and of the depth of material below the excision. Endpoint control is provided by terminating material removal when a selected excision depth is detected. The invention can be used, for example, as a real-time monitor of excision depth and residual lamella thickness under the excision during laser corneal surgery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.