Multipolar corneal-shaping electrode with flexible removable skirt

Patent 4381007 Issued on April 26, 1983. Estimated Expiration Date:

April 30, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

1951731

3078850

3307553

Electrotherapeutic treatment head
Patent #: 3978864
Issued on: 09/07/1976
Inventor: Smith, deceased

Apparatus for locally irradiating a part of a living body
Patent #: 4003383
Issued on: 01/18/1977
Inventor: Bruck

Bipolar electrosurgical knife
Patent #: 4202337
Issued on: 05/13/1980
Inventor: Hren , et al.

Corneal-shaping electrode Patent #: 4326529
Issued on: 04/27/1982
Inventor: Doss , et al.

Inventor

Doss, James D.

Assignee

The United States of America as represented by the United States

Application

No. 06/258970 filed on 04/30/1981

US Classes:

606/27, Heat application606/48, Bipolar electrodes606/5, Recurving or reshaping of the eye606/50Bipolar electrodes

Examiners

Primary: Apley, Richard J.
Assistant: Kruter, J. L.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

International Classes

A61B 18/14 (20060101)
A61F 9/007 (20060101)
A61F 9/00 (20060101)
A61F 9/013 (20060101)
A61B 18/00 (20060101)
A61M 3/02 (20060101)
A61M 3/00 (20060101)

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a multipolar probe using radiofrequency energy to reshape the cornea of an eye. The surface of the cornea is flushed continuously with a conductive coolant during operation.

Other References

"A Technique for the Selective Heating of Corneal Stroma", Doss et al., Contact & Intraocular Lens Medical Jrl., vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 13-17, Jan-Mar., 1980
"Shrinkage Temperature of Eye Collagen", Stringer et al., Nature, No. 4965, p. 1307, 1964
"Thermokeratoplasty (TKP) Temperature Profile", Shaw et al., J. Invest. Ophthalmology, vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 181-186, 1974
"Alterations in Corneal Morphology Following Thermokeratoplasty", Aquavell et al., Arch. Opthalmol., vol. 94, pp. 2082-2085, 1976
"Thermokeratoplasty for Keratoconus", Keates et al., Opthalmol. Surg., vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 89-92, 1975
"Thermokeratoplasty in the Treatment of Keratoconus", Gasset et al., Amer. Journal Opthalmol., vol. 79, No. 2, pp. 226-232, 1975
A Technique for the Selective Heating of Corneal Stroma, Doss et al., Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory at the Univ. of Calif., Los Alamos, New Mexico, 87544, U.S. Dept. of Energy Contract W7405-Eng 36, 1978, LA-UR78-452
An Electrochemical Technique for the Alteration of Corneal Curvature, Doss et al., Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory of Univ. of Calif., Los Alamos, New Mexico, 87544 , U.S. Dept. of Energy Contract W-7405-Eng 36, LA 7155-MS
`Los Alamos Keratoplasty Techniques`, Rowsey et al., Contact and Intraocular Lens Medical Journal, vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 1-12, Jan-Mar., 1980