Handpiece and related apparatus for laser surgery and dentistry
US5364390A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2009/00897
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus is provided for effecting medical or dental surgery, and to a related method. A subject body on which surgery is to be performed has a reference thereon or therein identified, such as a layer in the cornea, or a surface of a tooth. A handpiece contains a variable focus lens, and a fiberoptic bundle is connected axially to the proximal end of the handpiece to illuminate the site. The image of the site is passed to a control apparatus for adjusting the variable focus lens so as to provide for focussing of the treatment laser beam at a predetermined distance from the reference. A method of performing surgery comprising determining by focus condition measuring equipment the distance of a reference in a subject body, adjusting a variable focus lens by control signals proportional to the focus condition measured, and passing a laser beam through the variable focus lens in the adjusted position. to provide a focus spot of the laser beam at a predetermined distance from the reference.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.