US 4,326,529 A · Corneal-shaping electrode

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a circulating saline electrode for changing corneal shape in eyes. The electrode comprises a tubular nonconductive electrode housing having an annular expanded base which has a surface substantially matched to a subject corneal surface. A tubular conductive electrode connected to a radiofrequency generating source is disposed within the electrode housing and longitudinally aligned therewith. The electrode has a generally hemispherical head having at least one orifice. Saline solution is circulated through the apparatus and over the cornea to cool the corneal surface while radiofrequency electric current emitted from the electrode flows therefrom through the cornea to a second electrode, on the rear of the head. This current heats the deep corneal stroma and thereby effects corneal reshaping as a biological response to the heat.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A circulating saline electrode for changing corneal shape comprising:

a tubular nonconductive electrode housing having a longitudinal axis and at one end an annular expanded base, said base having a surface substantially matched to the subject corneal suface of an eye;
a tubular conductive electrode having a longitudinal axis positioned within and longitudinally aligned with said tubular housing, said electrode having agenerally hemispherical head disposed in the vicinity of said annular base of said housing, adapted to be positioned near to but not physically touching a cornea against which said housing may be placed, said electrode head having at least one orifice therein:
means for circulating an electrically conductive coolant through said tubular electrode and said orifice therein and thence through said tubular housing;
and
means for applying electromagnetic energy at a radiofrequency wavelength through said tubular electrode to selectively heat the subject cornea and thereby change its shape.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Corneal-shaping electrode

Life of this patent

Corneal-shaping electrode

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15