Ophthalmic phototherapy device and associated treatment method
OwnerRobert Dotsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ophthalmic phototherapy device (10) and associated phototherapy treatment method for promoting healing of damaged or diseased eye tissue. The ophthalmic phototherapy device (10) includes a light emitting mechanism (12) for transmitting light of at least one preselected wavelength to the eye tissue, whereby the light transmitted to the damaged or diseased eye tissue stimulates activity in the eye tissue to promote healing. The ophthalmic phototherapy method includes exposing the damaged or diseased eye tissue to light of at least one wavelength for a selected period of time.
Claims27
An ophthalmic phototherapy device for promoting healing of damaged or diseased eye tissue, said ophthalmic phototherapy device comprising a light emitting mechanism for transmitting light of at least one wavelength to the eye tissue, whereby said light transmitted to the damaged or diseased eye tissue stimulates activity in the eye tissue to promote healing.
An ophthalmic phototherapy device for promoting healing of damaged or diseased eye tissue, said ophthalmic phototherapy device comprising:
- a light emitting mechanism for transmitting light of at least one wavelength to the eye tissue, whereby said light transmitted to the damaged or diseased eye tissue stimulates activity in the eye tissue to promote healing, said light emitting mechanism including a light panel having a plurality of LEDs;
- a controller including a timing circuit for allowing an operator to preselect the time period that said LEDs are energized;
- and
- an articulated support arm for moveably mounting said light panel on a supporting structure, whereby said light panel can be selectively positioned to emit light into the eye of a patient.
An ophthalmic phototherapy device for promoting healing of damaged or diseased eye tissue, said ophthalmic phototherapy device comprising:
- a light emitting mechanism for transmitting light of at least one wavelength to the eye tissue, whereby said light transmitted to the damaged or diseased eye tissue stimulates activity in the eye tissue to promote healing, said light emitting mechanism including a light panel having a plurality of LEDs;
- a rechargeable battery for selectively energizing said LEDs;
- and
- an interchangeable, detachable handle for housing said rechargeable battery.
An ophthalmic phototherapy method for promoting the healing of damaged or diseased eye tissue, said method comprising exposing the damaged or diseased eye tissue to light of at least one wavelength for a selected period of time.
An ophthalmic phototherapy method for promoting the healing of damaged eye tissue subsequent to laser eye surgery, said method comprising exposing the damaged eye tissue to light of at least one selected wavelength for a selected period of time upon completion of the laser eye surgery.
An ophthalmic phototherapy method for promoting the healing of damaged eye tissue subsequent to laser eye surgery, said method utilizing an ophthalmic phototherapy device including a light panel having a plurality of LEDs for communicating light to the damaged eye tissue, said method comprising the steps of:
- cutting a flap in the cornea of the eye and folding back the flap to reveal the stroma of the cornea;
- using a laser to vaporize a portion of the stroma to facilitate the reshaping of the cornea;
- replacing the flap;
- and
- exposing the damaged eye tissue to light of at least one wavelength for a selected period of time upon completion of the laser eye surgery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.