Thermokeratoplasty system with a power supply that can determine a wet or dry cornea
AssigneeRefractec, Inc.
InventorLarry L. Hood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power supply for a thermokeratoplasty system. The power supply can be connected to an electrode and a return element that are both coupled to a cornea. The power supply can perform a test routine to determine whether the cornea is too “wet” or too “dry”.
Claims34
An electrical power supply for a thermokeratoplasty tip that can provide an indication of an electrical characteristic of a cornea, comprising:
- an electrode pin;
- a return pin;
- and,
- a circuit that can provide a test current to said electrode pin and the cornea, and an indication of the electrical characteristic of the cornea in response to the test current flowing through the cornea and said electrode and return pins.
A method for testing an electrical contact between a thermokeratoplasty electrode, a cornea and a return element, comprising:
- transmitting a test current through the electrode, the cornea and the return element;
- comparing an electrical characteristic of the cornea to a threshold value;
- and,
- generating an indicator output signal if the electrical characteristic is equal to or is greater than an absolute value of the threshold value.
An electrode that can be inserted into an opening of a handle, comprising:
- a beam that a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being adapted to be inserted into the handle opening and having an anti-rotation feature that inhibits rotation within the handle opening.
A probe assembly, comprising:
- a sleeve that has an inner channel;
- and,
- an electrode that is threaded within said inner channel and has a tip which extends from said sleeve.
A probe assembly, comprising:
- an arm;
- and,
- a probe that is coupled to said arm, said probe having an electrode that extends from a probe body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.