The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 01, 1994
Filed:
Mar. 16, 1992
Neal I Burstein, Longmont, CO (US);
John M Williams, Sr, Marshfield, WI (US);
Michael J Nowicki, Longmont, CO (US);
William Q Jeffers, Boulder, CO (US);
Helios Inc., Longmont, CO (US);
Abstract
An effective method for welding corneal and/or scleral tissues. To join the tissues, laser light is applied using a wavelength which enables penetration of the light to a tissue depth of about 0.2-2.0 mm. The wavelength is selected from within one of the following ranges: (1) 1400-1900 nm, or (2) 2100-2400 nm. In epikeratophakia procedures, the wavelength ranges will be 1900-2100 nm or 2400-2650 nm, allowing a tissue penetration depth of about 0.05-0.2 mm. A laser power output value is selected so that the tissue temperature during welding remains at about 44.degree.-60.degree. C. This value is between about 30 mW-1.5 W. The laser light may be applied in the form of a spot-type beam, an elongate beam, or an annular beam. Application of laser light in the foregoing manner enables ocular tissues to be safely and effectively welded, and is useful in corneal transplantation.