| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090024117 | Eye therapy system - A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and at least one coolant delivery element. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery elements are in communication with the coolant supply and are operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090069798 | EYE THERAPY SYSTEM - A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and a coolant delivery system. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery system is in communication with the coolant supply and is operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090149842 | Eye therapy system - Heat is generated in corneal fibrils in a cornea of an eye according to a selected pattern. The heat causes the corneal fibrils corresponding to the selected pattern to transition from a first structure to a second structure. The second structure provides a desired reshaping of the cornea. A cross-linking agent is then activated in the region of corneal fibrils according to the selected pattern. The cross-linking agent prevents the corneal fibrils from changing from the second structure. Thus, embodiments stabilize corneal tissue and improve its biomechanical strength after desired structural changes have been achieved in the corneal tissue. Accordingly, the embodiments help to preserve the desired reshaping of the cornea. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090187173 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESHAPING AN EYE FEATURE - A system for applying therapy to an eye includes an energy source and a conducting element operably connected to the energy source and configured to direct energy from the energy source to an application end of the conducting element. The application end includes an eye contact portion configured to apply the energy to an eye feature and provides a reshaping mold to reshape the eye feature as the eye feature responds to the application of the energy. The eye contact portion may have a concave curvature and may be positioned in direct contact with the eye feature. In addition, the eye feature may be the cornea of the eye. In a particular embodiment, the energy source is an electrical energy source, the conducting element comprises an outer electrode and an inner electrode separated by a gap, and the eye contact portion is positioned on the inner electrode. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090187178 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING AN EYE THERAPY DEVICE - A system for aligning an eye therapy instrument over a selected area or feature of an eye provides an attachment element that is removably attached to a surface of an eye. A receiving element is coupled to the attachment element and movable relative to the attachment element. The receiving element includes a coupling element configured to operably couple an eye therapy instrument to the receiving element and adjustably move the eye therapy instrument into a selected position with respect to the attachment element. The system makes adjustments to ensure accurate delivery of treatment from the eye therapy device to areas of the eye. In one embodiment, the receiving element allows lateral adjustments to be made along one or more axes. Additionally or alternatively, the receiving element allows angular or rotational adjustments to be made about one or more axes. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090187184 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESHAPING AN EYE FEATURE - A system for applying therapy to an eye includes an applicator having a conducting element configured to direct energy from an energy source to an application end of the conducting element, where the application end has an eye contact portion. A positioning system receives the applicator and positions the eye contact portion in stable engagement with the surface of an eye. In some embodiments, the conducting element is disposed within a housing for the applicator and an adjustment system is employed to move the conducting element relative to the housing. The adjustment system enables controlled movement of the conducting element and the eye contact portion against the corneal surface. In particular embodiments, sufficient contact between the applicator and the cornea is determined by causing applanation of the cornea. In other embodiments, a physical measurement device, such as a strain gauge, is employed to determine when sufficient contact has been established. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090209954 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESHAPING AN EYE FEATURE - A system for applying therapy to an eye includes an applicator having a conducting element configured to direct energy from an energy source to an application end of the conducting element, where the application end has at least one eye contact portion. A positioning system positions the at least one eye contact portion in stable engagement with the eye surface. The conducting element is disposed within a housing for the applicator and at least one adjustment system is employed to move the conducting element relative to the housing. The at least one adjustment system enables controlled movement of the conducting element and the at least one eye contact portion against the corneal surface. In particular embodiments, sufficient contact between the applicator and the cornea is determined by causing applanation of the cornea. In other embodiments, at least one measurement device is employed to determine when sufficient contact has been established. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090275936 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR APPLYING THERAPY TO AN EYE USING ENERGY CONDUCTION - Thermokeratoplasty is applied to achieve a customized reshaping of a cornea, especially, for the treatment of astigmatism. Energy is applied to the cornea in a customized pattern using a specific configuration of two conductors. In one embodiment, an outer conductor and an outer conductor are separated by a gap. When a conducting element is applied to the corneal surface the area of the cornea at the periphery of the inner conductor is subject to an energy pattern with substantially the same shape and dimension as the gap between the inner and outer conductors. The inner and outer conductors may be positioned and shaped to form a gap having any desirable size and/or shape, including non-annular and asymmetrical shapes. The gap may be configured by altering the spatial relationships between the inner conductor and the outer conductor, by altering the size, shape, and/or position of the inner and/or outer conductors, or by forming one or more indentations or protrusions in or on the inner conductor and/or the outer conductor. Additionally or alternatively, energy is applied to the cornea in a customized pattern defined by a specific arrangement of one or more dielectric materials providing varying impedance. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20100076423 | EYE THERAPY SYSTEM - The cornea is reshaped in multiple steps according to varying amounts of energy in varying patterns and/or at varying locations to achieve a customized reshaping of the cornea to address the specific needs of an individual patient. The varying amounts of energy may be applied via one or more conducting elements, which include an outer conductor and an inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor, a distal end of the outer conductor and the inner conductor defining the varying patterns. For example, one step may form a substantially circular lesion to flatten a first portion of the cornea to treat presbyopia, while another step may form a substantially circular and concentric lesion having a greater diameter to steepen a second portion of the cornea to treat hyperopia. Advantageously, continuous transitional regions are formed relative to the reshaped portions to provide vision for intermediate distances. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100094197 | EYE THERAPY SYSTEM - In a system for stabilizing a pattern of structural changes in corneal fibrils, an eye treatment system causes corneal fibrils of a cornea of an eye to transition from a first structure to a second structure. An application device applies a cross-linking element to the corneal fibrils. An activating device applies an initiating element to the corneal fibrils and activates the cross-linking element. The cross-linking element causes cross-linking in the corneal fibrils to preserve the second structure of the corneal fibrils. Another application device may apply a cross-linking breaker to the corneal fibrils. The cross-linking breaker halts or reverses at least partially the cross-linking in the corneal fibrils. Another activating device applies an initiating element to the corneal fibrils and activates the cross-linking breaker. Advantageously, the cross-linking breaker provides greater control over the amount and progress of cross-linking that occurs in the corneal fibrils. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100094280 | EYE THERAPY SYSTEM - A system includes a conducting element that conducts energy from an energy source to apply therapy to an eye. The system includes a covering configured to be removably attached to the conducting element. The covering has an interface surface that is positionable at an eye. At least a portion of the interface surface includes one or more dielectric materials. Energy is deliverable to the eye through the interface surface. In one aspect, the covering provides an electrical insulator to minimize the concentration of electrical current in the area of contact with the eye. In another aspect, the covering allows the eye to be cooled during the application of energy without directly applying coolant to the eye. In another aspect, the covering includes a dielectric layer that may provide varying impedances that allow different patterns for energy delivery. In another aspect, the sheath promotes hygienic use of the conducting element. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100185192 | EYE THERAPY SYSTEM - Systems and methods improve operation of an applicator that delivers heat-generating energy to an eye as a part of an eye therapy. For example, reflected power may be measured to determine whether sufficient contact has been established between the applicator and the eye for accurate and precise delivery of energy to the eye. In addition, at least one of forward and reflected power may be measured to monitor the application of coolant pulses that control the generation of heat in the eye when the applicator delivers energy to the eye. Further, the forward and reflected power may be measured to determine an efficiency of energy transfer or an impedance mismatch. Based on the efficiency of energy transfer or the impedance mismatch, an adjustable parameter of a tuning element may be modified. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100280509 | Eye Therapy System - An electrical energy applicator directs electrical energy from the electrical energy source to a distal end, which positionable at a surface of an eye. The energy conducting applicator includes a first conductor and a second conductor separated by a gap. The first conductor has a first contact surface at the distal end, and the second conductor has a second contact surface at the distal end. The first conductor and/or the second conductor has a length that is adjustable by a biasing element. The first contact surface of the first conductor is movable relative to the second contact surface of the second conductor. The first contact surface and the second contact surface are adjustably positionable simultaneously against the surface of the eye to deliver energy to the eye according to a pattern defined by the first contact surface, the second contact surface, and the gap. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100290668 | LONG DISTANCE MULTIMODAL BIOMETRIC SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system for multimodal biometric identification has a first imaging system that detects one or more subjects in a first field of view, including a targeted subject having a first biometric characteristic and a second biometric characteristic; a second imaging system that captures a first image of the first biometric characteristic according to first photons, where the first biometric characteristic is positioned in a second field of view smaller than the first field of view, and the first image includes first data for biometric identification; a third imaging system that captures a second image of the second biometric characteristic according to second photons, where the second biometric characteristic is positioned in a third field of view which is smaller than the first and second fields of view, and the second image includes second data for biometric identification. At least one active illumination source emits the second photons. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20110118654 | Eye Therapy - Embodiments apply a cross-linking agent to a region of corneal tissue. The cross-linking agent improves the ability of the corneal tissue to resist undesired structural changes. For example, the cross-linking agent may be Riboflavin or Rose Bengal, and the initiating element may be photoactivating light, such as ultraviolet (UV) light. In these embodiments, the photoactivating light initiates cross-linking activity by irradiating the applied cross-linking agent to release reactive oxygen radicals in the corneal tissue. The cross-linking agent acts as a sensitizer to convert O | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110118716 | System and Method for Stabilizing Corneal Tissue After Treatment - Systems and methods stabilize corneal tissue after treatment of the corneal tissue. For example, thermokeratoplasty may be applied to the corneal tissue to address disorders associated with abnormal shaping of the cornea. To stabilize the desired structural changes caused by the treatment, embodiments apply ophthalmic formulations that help to inhibit wound healing. Wound healing may occur in response to the application of the treatment and may produce further structural changes that mitigate or alter the desired effects of the treatment. | 05-19-2011 |
