Abstract
Surgical apparatus including laser, probe apparatus defining a radiation inlet and a radiation outlet, the radiation inlet being coupled in radiation receiving relationship to the laser, and apparatus for injecting a precisely controllable volume of air adjacent the radiation outlet.
Filing date: Feb 29, 1984
Issue date: Dec 24, 1985
Inventor: William Eisenberg
Primary Examiner: Ruth S. Smith
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What is claimed is:
1. A method for eye surgery on target tissue in the eye including the steps of coupling a laser to a surgical probe apparatus defining a radiation inlet and a radiation outlet, moving the probe apparatus adjacent to the target tissue in the eye, injecting a precisely controllable volume of air between the radiation outlet and the target tissue, and providing laser radiation from the laser through the probe apparatus to the target tissue while maintaining the volume of air between the probe apparatus and the target tissue, thereby to prevent physical contact between the radiation outlet and the target tissue during laser irradiation.
2. A surgical method according to claim 1 and operative for cataract emulsification and wherein said step of providing laser radiation comprises the steps of irradiating the cataract with a pulse of radiation from a laser, removing the cataract debris created thereby, and repeating the steps of irradiating and removing until the cataract is removed.
3. A method of cataract emulsification according to claim 2 and wherein said step of irradiating the cataract with a pulse of radiation from a laser includes irradiating from a laser selected from the group including a Neodymium YAG, carbon dioxide and Erbium YLF laser.
4. A method according to claim 2 and wherein said step of providing laser radiation comprises the step of irradiating the cataract with a pulse of radiation from an Erbium YLF laser.