Combined microwave heating and surface cooling of the cornea
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsB. Stuart Trembly, Ralph E. Crump
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A non-invasive method and apparatus of reshaping the cornea to correct hyperopia, keratoconus, or myopia is described. The central stroma of the cornea is heated by microwave electromagnetic energy to the shrinkage temperature of collagen. The microwave applicator for heating stroma comprises an open-ended, coaxial antenna driven at 2450 MHz with apparatus for surface cooling of the cornea by flow of saline transverse to the antenna axis.
Claims16
An applicator for selectively heating portions of the eye comprising:
- (a) an antenna means for radiating microwave energy in a pattern to apply a portion of said energy at a predetermined depth within the cornea to elevate the temperature of the cornea tissue at said depth to shrink such tissue;
- and
- (b) cooling means for flowing fluid over the outer surface of the cornea to prevent excessive temperature elevation of the cornea surface tissue during radiation of said microwave energy.
An applicator for selectively heating portions of the cornea stroma while preventing overheating of the epithelium surface thereof comprising:
- (a) an antenna section having:
- (i) an antenna means in the form of a coaxial cable having a central axis for radiating electromagnetic energy in a predetermined pattern;
- (ii) a stand-off member coaxially secured to said cable at a distal end thereof with channels extending through said member transverse a longitudinal axis thereof;
- and
- (b) a fluid section having:
- (i) an applicator tube with an opening at each end and a cornea-conforming opening in the side of said tube adjacent one end and a circular opening opposite said cornea-conforming opening receiving said stand-off member therethrough.
A method for selectively heating portions of the cornea comprising:
- (a) radiating microwave energy in a pattern to produce an elevated temperature level below the cornea surface at a predetermined depth within the cornea;
- (b) while flowing fluid over the outer surface of the cornea to prevent overheating of the cornea surface during radiation of said microwave energy.
A method for selectively heating portions of the cornea while preventing overheating of the surface thereof comprising:
- (a) applying electromagnetic energy to a cornea by radiating said electromagnetic energy in a predetermined pattern from a coaxial cable antenna toward said cornea;
- (b) providing a stand-off member coaxial to said cable at a distal end thereof with channels extending through said member transverse a longitudinal axis thereof and concurrent with applications of said electromagnetic energy cooling the surface of said cornea by circulating fluid through said channels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.