Uniform-radiation caustic surface for photoablation
US5490849A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 1992 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 23, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2009/00895
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A simultaneously generated caustic surface comprised of high energy photons is created for the purpose of ablating organic materials to within optical accuracies. The apparatus and method are principally for modifying, in vivo, the anterior cornea of the eye to effect refractive correction thereof. A catadioptric system in tandem with a continuously adjustable system of lenses provides a range of spherical or aspherical caustic curvatures throughout which range relatively uniform radiation intensity is maintained over the entire caustic. Ablation monitoring uses both visual and interferometric means; control is performed using interferometry in conjunction with a computer controlled excimer laser.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.