Collagen treatment apparatus
US5618284A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2009/00872
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlled thermal shrinkage of collagen tissue by irradiation with coherent energy in the wavelength band of 1.80 to 2.55 microns as generated by a laser. A specific application to ophthalmological corneal reshaping is described. A method for shrinkage of collagen tissue by application of coherent infrared energy, in which the threshold shrinkage temperature is substantially reduced by application of a reagent such as lysozyme to the tissue prior to heating. The method is especially useful in ophthalmology for shape modification of a cornea, and is enhanced by using a corneal collagen shield as a carrier and delivery agent for the reagent and an admixed anaesthetic.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.