Apparatus and method for applying light in ocular and periocular areas
AssigneeLumenis Be Ltd.
InventorKfir Azoulay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A removable tip for a light energy handpiece comprises a hollow conduit configured to surround a light guide in the handpiece; a support extension having a length longer than a length of the hollow conduit; and a shielding extension coupled to the support extension at an angle less than 180 degrees and located in front of the hollow conduit. The shielding extension is configured to be inserted behind an eyelid and extend to the fornix, the shielding extension comprised of a thermally insulative material.
Claims5
1-18. (canceled)
A method of protecting one or more of a patient's ocular, periocular and circumocular tissues while treating the patient by the application of light energy, the method comprising:
- providing a handpiece having a longitudinal axis and a light energy device that projects light energy along the axis at the distal end thereof;
- providing a shield configured to be in contact with at least an eyelid of the patient and comprised of a thermally insulative material;
- the method comprising the steps of:
- placing the shield in contact with at least the patient's eyelid;
- prior to applying light energy to one or more of the ocular or the periocular or the circumocular tissues, switching to one or two modes:
- wherein the distal end of the light energy device in a first mode is in a non-contacting position with respect to one or more of an ocular or periocular or circumocular tissues and in a second mode the distal end of the light energy device is in a contacting position so as to contact one or more of the ocular or periocular or circumocular tissues
- applying light energy to one or more of the ocular, the periocular or the circumocular tissues by activating the light energy device when in either the first mode or the second mode;
- and,
- wherein the ocular, periocular and circumocular tissues are protected during treatment.
A device for protecting one or more of a patient's ocular, periocular and circumocular tissues while treating the patient by the application of light energy, the device comprising:
- a handpiece having a longitudinal axis and a light energy device configured to project light energy along the axis at the distal end thereof;
- a shield configured to be placed in contact with at least an eyelid of the patient and comprised of a thermally insulative material;
- the device being configured to be switched between two modes of operation prior to applying light energy to one or more of the ocular or the periocular or the circumocular tissues:
- wherein the distal end of the light energy device in a first mode is in a non-contacting position with respect to one or more of an ocular or periocular or circumocular tissues and in a second mode the distal end of the light energy device is in a contacting position so as to contact one or more of the ocular or periocular or circumocular tissues
- the light energy being configured to be activated after the shield has been placed in contact with at least the eyelid, light energy being configured to apply light energy to one or more of the ocular, the periocular or the circumocular tissues when in either the first mode or the second mode;
- and,
- wherein the ocular, periocular and circumocular tissues are protected during treatment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.