Laser-assisted thermal separation of tissue
AssigneeEOS Holdings, LLC
InventorDavid H. Mordaunt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laser-assisted method for fully or partially separating tissue such as collagen-containing tissue is provided. In one embodiment, the method pertains to a capsolurorhexis whereby the laser-assisted method is applied to the lens capsule. A light-absorbing agent is added into or onto the tissue. A light beam with a wavelength capable of being absorbed by the light absorbing agent is then directed at the tissue to cause a thermal effect at the tissue following a predetermined closed curve with the goal to avoid irregularity or potential tears in the resulting rim of the tissue.
Claims22
A method of thermally separating tissue, comprising:
- a. defining a predetermined closed curve at a tissue containing collagen, wherein said predetermined closed curve defines an interior and an exterior;
- b. adding a light-absorbing agent to said tissue;
- c. selecting a light beam to be directed at said tissue, wherein said light beam is selected with the intent that said light beam is absorbed by said light-absorbed agent to cause a local thermal effect at said tissue and therewith said light beam parameters are characterized to:
- (i) remain at a sub-ablation level for said tissue, and (ii) transition the collagen in said tissue from a crystalline helixcal structure to an amorphous structure resulting in shrinkage or contraction of said tissue;
- d. directing said selected light beam at an initial and interior point of said predetermined closed curve;
- and
- e. continuing and further directing said selected light beam starting from said initial and interior point of said predetermined closed curve along a remaining path of said predetermined closed curve until at least the curve is closed,
- wherein said tissue is thermally separated as a result of said directed light beam.
A method of performing a capsulotomy, comprising:
- a. adding a light-absorbing agent into or onto an anterior lens capsule wherein said anterior lens capsule contains collagen;
- b. defining a predetermined closed curve at said anterior lens capsule, wherein said predetermined closed curve defines an interior and an exterior;
- c. selecting a light beam to be directed at said tissue, wherein said light beam is selected with the intent that said light beam is absorbed by said light-absorbed agent to cause a local thermal effect at said tissue and therewith said light beam parameters are characterized to:
- (i) remain at a sub-ablation level for said tissue, and (ii) transition the collagen in said tissue from a crystalline helixcal structure to an amorphous structure resulting in shrinkage or contraction of said tissue;
- d. directing said selected light beam at an initial and interior point of said predetermined closed curve;
- and
- e. continuing and further directing said selected light beam starting from said initial and interior point of said predetermined closed curve along a remaining path of said predetermined closed curve until at least the curve is closed,
- wherein said tissue is thermally separated as a result of said directed light beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.