Thermokeratoplasty Systems
AssigneeTrustees of Dartmouth College
InventorB. Stuart Trembly
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides applicators for performing thermokeratoplasty. One embodiment of such applicators includes a pair of electrical conducting elements electrically separated by a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The electrical conducting elements define, at the distal end, a contact surface that is positionable at a cornea. At least one of the electrical conducting elements is divided into a plurality of discrete sections extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The discrete sections are selectively and separately actuated by a controller according to one or more variable characteristics to deliver energy to the cornea.
Claims41
An applicator for providing eye therapy, comprising:
- a pair of electrical conducting elements electrically separated by a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the electrical conducting elements defining, at the distal end, a contact surface that is positionable at a cornea, at least one of the electrical conducting elements being divided into a plurality of discrete sections extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the discrete sections being selectively and separately actuated by a controller according to one or more variable characteristics to deliver energy to the cornea.
An applicator for providing eye therapy, comprising:
- more than two concentric electrical conducting elements electrically separated by selected distances and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the electrical conducting elements defining, at the distal end, a contact surface that is positionable at a cornea, the electrical conducting elements being selectively and separately actuated by a controller to deliver energy to the cornea according to one or more selected patterns.
An applicator for providing eye therapy, comprising:
- a pair of electrical conducting elements electrically separated by a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the electrical conducting elements defining, at the distal end, a contact surface that is positionable at a cornea, the electrical conducting elements being actuated by a controller according to one or more variable characteristics to deliver energy to the cornea, at least one of the electrical conducting elements being defined by at least two telescoping sections that are in electrical contact with one another, the at least two telescoping sections telescoping axially toward the distal end into contact with the cornea.
An applicator for providing eye therapy, comprising:
- a pair of electrical conducting elements electrically separated by a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the electrical conducting elements defining, at the distal end, a contact surface that is positionable at a cornea, the electrical conducting elements being actuated by a controller according to one or more variable characteristics to deliver energy to the cornea;
- and
- a sensing system that senses an amount of contact between the electrical conducting elements and the cornea.
An applicator for providing eye therapy, comprising:
- a pair of electrical conducting elements electrically separated by a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the conducting elements defining, at the distal end, a contact surface that is positioned at the cornea, the conducting elements being actuated by a controller according to one or more variable characteristics to deliver energy to the cornea;
- and
- a transparent window coupled to optical instrumentation that determines the refractive effect of the energy delivered to the cornea.
An applicator for providing eye therapy, comprising:
- a pair of electrical conducting elements electrically separated by a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the conducting elements defining, at the distal end, a contact surface that is positioned at the cornea, the conducting elements being actuated by a controller according to one or more variable characteristics to deliver energy to the cornea;
- and
- a vacuum positioning system comprising one or more vacuum passages connected to a vacuum source, the vacuum source applying a controlled amount of suction to the cornea, the vacuum positioning system enhancing retention of the electrical conducting elements in a fixed position relative to the cornea.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.