Patents Examined by S. Harris
  • Patent number: 6235015
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for hair depilation using a beam of light, preferably a scanned continuous output diode laser beam, operating primarily in a range of wavelengths from 650-1000 nanometers is disclosed. The beam of light is focused by a handpiece such that the power density and energy density of the beam is sufficient for selective coagulation of dermal melanosomes and destruction of hair follicles adjacent to melanosomes. The beam is directed over the treatment area by any type of motorized mirror and lens-based scanning device such that the duration of exposure to the treatment area is limited to a fixed time interval according to the velocity of the beam moving across the treatment area, or a specified dwell time whereby the scanned beam is held at each position in the scan for a specified time duration, preferably in a pseudo-random sequence. The scanner connects to a contact member, at least a portion of which is held in contact with the skin, to provide a fixed focus and surface contact cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Douglass S. Mead, III, Thomas Cekoric, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6142990
    Abstract: A medical apparatus especially for lowering intraocular pressure by acting on the Schlemm's canal and on the tissue of the trabecular meshwork directly in contact with the Schlemm's canal, including a probe containing a photoconductor which is curved or elastically or plastically deformable to a curved configuration and which is connected to a laser, the photoconductor having a surface coating having at least one emission window therein facing the inner curvature of the photoconductor, the emission window permitting a laser beam to issue from the photoconductor at an angle of 90.degree. to the curvature of the photoconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberg Engineering Optische Messsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard O. W. Burk
  • Patent number: 6139542
    Abstract: A distributed system is provided for controlling excimer laser eye surgery. A topography system, a computer system, and an excimer laser eye surgery system are provided, with the topography system providing profile data to the computer system, and the computer system calculating and providing an ablation shot pattern to the excimer laser eye surgery system. At least the computer system and the excimer laser eye surgery system are located remotely, and the excimer laser eye surgery system can receive data from more than one computer system and more than one topography system. This allows for better utilization of resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Chiron Technolas GmbH Opthalmologische Systeme
    Inventor: Kristian Hohla
  • Patent number: 5277696
    Abstract: A radio frequency coagulation instrument has two concentric tubular feedls (15, 16) with coagulation electrodes (13, 14) at their end. The tubular feedlines (15, 16) are simultaneously used to supply the radio frequency current to the coagulation electrode (13, 14) and for the supply and removal of a flushing liquid. Moreover, the passage (19) formed within the tubular feedline (16) which serves for the removal of flushing liquid, and which is expediently connected to a vacuum source, can be used independently of the supply of flushing liquid to suck away not only flushing liquid but also, or alternatively, blood, body fluids, secretions and pieces of body tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Delma elektro- und medizinische Apparatebau Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Alfred Hagen