Surgery – Instruments – Light application
Patent
1998-10-29
2000-02-01
Dvorak, Linda C. M.
Surgery
Instruments
Light application
A61N 506, A61B 1736
Patent
active
060197544
ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus, which provides improved conditioning and adherence of a resected corneal flap into its original position on the eye following the laser ablation step of LASIK vision correction surgery is disclosed. The method comprises resecting at least a portion of at least one of a person's eyes to expose an inner layer of said cornea, which is sculpted using radiation from a laser beam to produce a desired corneal topography. After the desired topography is achieved, the corneal flap is floated back into its proper position in a sterile solution and to remove any debris associated with the sculpting step from the patient's eye. After the corneal flap is repositioned, a flap drying apparatus is used to dry the repositioned corneal flap by applying filtered, compressed air at a flow rate substantially between zero and 2.5 liters per minute at an appropriate pressure to draw the sterile solution away from the corneal flap/inner corneal layer interface without disturbing the positioned or alignment of the repositioned corneal flap. An ophthalmic surgeon observes the corneal flap using a microscope while applying the filtered, compressed air to the corneal flap, for substantially between 15 and 30 seconds, paying particular attention to a gutter area surrounding corneal flap. The surgeon terminates the application of the filtered, compressed air when the gutter area is observed to be substantially dry.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3982541 (1976-09-01), L'Esperance, Jr.
patent: 4550713 (1985-11-01), Hyman
patent: 4559942 (1985-12-01), Eisenberg
patent: 4903695 (1990-02-01), Warner et al.
patent: 5009660 (1991-04-01), Clapham
patent: 5092863 (1992-03-01), Schanzlin
patent: 5108412 (1992-04-01), Krumeich et al.
patent: 5139518 (1992-08-01), White
patent: 5230347 (1993-07-01), Weinstein et al.
patent: 5269812 (1993-12-01), White
patent: 5312330 (1994-05-01), Klopotek
patent: 5533997 (1996-07-01), Ruiz
patent: 5586980 (1996-12-01), Kremer et al.
patent: 5616139 (1997-04-01), Okamoto
patent: 5620435 (1997-04-01), Belkin et al.
patent: 5658303 (1997-08-01), Koepnick
patent: 5697945 (1997-12-01), Kritzinger et al.
patent: 5722971 (1998-03-01), Peyman
patent: 5728041 (1998-03-01), Fowler, Jr.
patent: 5752967 (1998-05-01), Kritzinger et al.
patent: 5807380 (1998-09-01), Dishler
patent: 5919185 (1999-07-01), Peyman
Dvorak Linda C. M.
Harris-Ogugua Sonya
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for improving lasik flap adherence does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for improving lasik flap adherence, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for improving lasik flap adherence will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-933817