Apparatus for cornea reshaping
US6342053B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 29, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2009/00872
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus is described for use in combination with a noninvasive ophthalmological method for cornea reshaping in order to correct ocular refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. This apparatus is called a coupler and it is made of a material which is substantially transparent to the light energy used to reshape the cornea. The coupler conducts heat from the anterior portion of the cornea during the heating of the stroma by the light energy. The reshaping is enhanced by the coupler as it has a corneal engaging surface with a radius of curvature which approximates the desired emmetropic shape of the cornea. In addition to being a heat sink and template for the eye, the coupler also acts as a positioner and restrainer of the eye by attaching itself to the eye via an annular suction ring. Finally, the coupler also acts as a mask to prevent accidental exposure of the central optic zone to any light energy during the cornea reshaping procedure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.