Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring properties of the cornea and controlling the crosslinking treatment. The thickness of the cornea during crosslinking may be measured by using ultrasonic reflections to determine an anterior distance (D1?) between a reference location (37) on a device resting on the eye and an anterior surface (66) of the cornea and to determine a posterior distance (D3?) between a posterior surface (63) of the cornea and an element of the eye such as an anterior surface (72) of the lens of the eye. These distances are subtracted from a reference distance (D0) between the reference location and the element of the eye. The reference distance (D0) may be determined using ultrasonic reflections to determine the corresponding anterior and posterior distances and the thickness (D2) of the cornea prior to crosslinking. The speed of sound in the cornea during crosslinking may be derived using the thickness (D2?) and time of flight of ultrasound through the cornea.

Abstract: A device for irradiation of the eye of a living subject with light such as UV light includes a structure (20) adapted to overlie the outer surface of the eye, the structure having an axis (28, 128) extending in a downward direction (D) towards the eye when the structure overlies the eye. A light scattering element (70, 158, 141) within the structure includes a peripheral portion remote from the axis and a central portion adjacent the axis. A plurality of transmission optical fibers (42, 157) in optical communication with the peripheral portion of the light scattering element at a plurality of locations spaced around the axis.

Abstract: In corneal crosslinking, the anterior surface of the cornea of the eye is maintained in contact with a first liquid having a first concentration of a crosslinking catalyst such as riboflavin, so that the catalyst enters the cornea and forms a first concentration profile (t1) in the corneal stroma. The anterior surface of the cornea is then maintained in contact with one or more additional liquids having concentration of the catalyst lower than the first concentration so that the catalyst forms a second concentration profile (t4, t5, t6) in the stroma. In the second concentration profile, the maximum concentration of the catalyst desirably is posterior to the anterior surface of the cornea. The cornea is irradiated and crosslinked. The second concentration profile facilitates crosslinking deep within the stroma.

Abstract: A change in the response of the cornea to ultrasonic energy directed into the cornea is monitored during irradiation of the cornea to bring about corneal crosslinking. Because the change in ultrasonic response is correlated with the degree of crosslinking achieved, a desired degree of crosslinking can be achieved by terminating the irradiation when the change reaches a threshold. The change in ultrasonic response can be determined by taking a baseline measurement before irradiation and additional measurements during irradiation using the same ultrasonic transducer (47). The transducers may be carried on a device (30) resembling a contact lens which overlies the eye and which transmits the light used in the irradiation step to the eye.

Abstract: A change in the response of the cornea to ultrasonic energy directed into the cornea is monitored during irradiation of the cornea to bring about corneal crosslinking. Because the change in ultrasonic response is correlated with the degree of crosslinking achieved, a desired degree of crosslinking can be achieved by terminating the irradiation when the change reaches a threshold. The change in ultrasonic response can be determined by taking a baseline measurement before irradiation and additional measurements during irradiation using the same ultrasonic transducer (47). The transducers may be carried on a device (30) resembling a contact lens which overlies the eye and which transmits the light used in the irradiation step to the eye.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to a method for vision correction using corneal collagen crosslinking (“CCXL”), in which the physician is able to precisely control the pattern of ultraviolet (“UV”) energy delivered to the cornea, by means of a programmable masking array placed between the UV source and the cornea. A CCXL LCD masked is used to create various patterns of “on” and “off” pixels. The physician is able to control the degree of polarization of the LCD pixels, thereby allowing the physician to create various patterns of UV irradiation and thus, varying levels of CCXL.

Abstract: A device and method for applying light to the cornea of the eye as, for example, to promote crosslinking of collagen in the cornea for vision correction. The device may include a structure having form and size similar to a conventional contact lens. The structure may include an optically dispersive element such as a mass of an optically dispersive material that may be contained in a cavity of a reflective element. Light applied to the dispersive mass as, for example, by an optical fiber connected to the structure is dispersed in the structure and passes into the cornea. The patient may blink or close the eye during the procedure, which increases patient comfort and aids in maintaining hydration of the cornea.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a core (30) and a cladding (32) surrounding the core. One or more indentations (42) extend into the fiber from outside of the core. The indentations desirably extend into the core and desirably define surfaces (44) transverse to the axis (36) of the fiber and extending into the core. A solid filler material (52) desirably is disposed within the indentations. The indentations and filler facilitate extraction of light from the core. The fiber desirably is a polymeric multimode fiber.

Abstract: In corneal crosslinking by applying a photoactivated crosslinking facilitator such as riboflavin to the cornea and irradiating the cornea with light, the cornea is contacted with a liquid (33) containing a source of oxygen during irradiation. The liquid transfers oxygen to the cornea to facilitate crosslinking.

Abstract: A device and method for applying light to the cornea of the eye as, for example, to promote crosslinking of collagen in the cornea for vision correction. The device may include a structure having form and size similar to a conventional contact lens. The structure may include an optically dispersive element such as a mass of an optically dispersive material that may be contained in a cavity of a reflective element. Light applied to the dispersive mass as, for example, by an optical fiber connected to the structure is dispersed in the structure and passes into the cornea. The patient may blink or close the eye during the procedure, which increases patient comfort and aids in maintaining hydration of the cornea.

Abstract: A change in the response of the cornea to ultrasonic energy directed into the cornea is monitored during irradiation of the cornea to bring about corneal crosslinking. Because the change in ultrasonic response is correlated with the degree of crosslinking achieved, a desired degree of crosslinking can be achieved by terminating the irradiation when the change reaches a threshold. The change in ultrasonic response can be determined by taking a baseline measurement before irradiation and additional measurements during irradiation using the same ultrasonic transducer (47). The transducers may be carried on a device (30) resembling a contact lens which overlies the eye and which transmits the light used in the irradiation step to the eye.

Abstract: A device and method for applying light to the cornea of the eye as, for example, to promote crosslinking of collagen in the cornea for vision correction. The device may include a structure having form and size similar to a conventional contact lens. The structure may include an optically dispersive element such as a mass of an optically dispersive material that may be contained in a cavity of a reflective element. Light applied to the dispersive mass as, for example, by an optical fiber connected to the structure is dispersed in the structure and passes into the cornea. The patient may blink or close the eye during the procedure, which increases patient comfort and aids in maintaining hydration of the cornea.

Abstract: A change in the response of the cornea to ultrasonic energy directed into the cornea is monitored during irradiation of the cornea to bring about corneal crosslinking. Because the change in ultrasonic response is correlated with the degree of crosslinking achieved, a desired degree of crosslinking can be achieved by terminating the irradiation when the change reaches a threshold. The change in ultrasonic response can be determined by taking a baseline measurement before irradiation and additional measurements during irradiation using the same ultrasonic transducer (47). The transducers may be carried on a device (30) resembling a contact lens which overlies the eye and which transmits the light used in the irradiation step to the eye.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to a method for vision correction using corneal collagen crosslinking (“CCXL”), in which the physician is able to precisely control the pattern of ultraviolet (“UV”) energy delivered to the cornea, by means of a programmable masking array placed between the UV source and the cornea. A CCXL LCD masked is used to create various patterns of “on” and “off” pixels. The physician is able to control the degree of polarization of the LCD pixels, thereby allowing the physician to create various patterns of UV irradiation and thus, varying levels of CCXL.

Abstract: A device for irradiation of the eye of a living subject with light such as UV light includes a structure (20) adapted to overlie the outer surface of the eye, the structure having an axis (28, 128) extending in a downward direction (D) towards the eye when the structure overlies the eye. A light scattering element (70, 158, 141) within the structure includes a peripheral portion remote from the axis and a central portion adjacent the axis. A plurality of transmission optical fibers (42, 157) in optical communication with the peripheral portion of the light scattering element at a plurality of locations spaced around the axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring properties of the cornea and controlling the crosslinking treatment. The thickness of the cornea during crosslinking may be measured by using ultrasonic reflections to determine an anterior distance (D1?) between a reference location (37) on a device resting on the eye and an anterior surface (66) of the cornea and to determine a posterior distance (D3?) between a posterior surface (63) of the cornea and an element of the eye such as an anterior surface (72) of the lens of the eye. These distances are subtracted from a reference distance (D0) between the reference location and the element of the eye. The reference distance (D0) may be determined using ultrasonic reflections to determine the corresponding anterior and posterior distances and the thickness (D2) of the cornea prior to crosslinking. The speed of sound in the cornea during crosslinking may be derived using the thickness (D2?) and time of flight of ultrasound through the cornea.

Abstract: In corneal crosslinking by applying a photoactivated crosslinking facilitator such as riboflavin to the cornea and irradiating the cornea with light, the cornea is contacted with a liquid (33) containing a source of oxygen during irradiation. The liquid transfers oxygen to the cornea to facilitate crosslinking.

Abstract: A change in the response of the cornea to ultrasonic energy directed into the cornea is monitored during irradiation of the cornea to bring about corneal crosslinking. Because the change in ultrasonic response is correlated with the degree of crosslinking achieved, a desired degree of crosslinking can be achieved by terminating the irradiation when the change reaches a threshold. The change in ultrasonic response can be determined by taking a baseline measurement before irradiation and additional measurements during irradiation using the same ultrasonic transducer (47). The transducers may be carried on a device (30) resembling a contact lens which overlies the eye and which transmits the light used in the irradiation step to the eye.

Abstract: A device and method for applying light to the cornea of the eye as, for example, to promote crosslinking of collagen in the cornea for vision correction. The device may include a structure having form and size similar to a conventional contact lens. The structure may include an optically dispersive element such as a mass of an optically dispersive material that may be contained in a cavity of a reflective element. Light applied to the dispersive mass as, for example, by an optical fiber connected to the structure is dispersed in the structure and passes into the cornea. The patient may blink or close the eye during the procedure, which increases patient comfort and aids in maintaining hydration of the cornea.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation device treats atrial fibrillation by directing and focusing ultrasonic waves into a ring-like ablation region (A). The device desirably is steerable and can be moved between a normal disposition, in which the ablation region lies parallel to the wall of the heart for ablating a loop-like lesion, and a canted disposition, in which the ring-like focal region is tilted relative to the wall of the heart, to ablate only a short, substantially linear lesion. The ablation device desirably includes a balloon reflector structure (18, 1310) and an ultrasonic emitter assembly (23, 1326), and can be steered and positioned without reference to engagement between the device and the pulmonary vein or ostium. A contrast medium (C) can be injected through the ablation device to facilitate imaging, so that the device can be positioned based on observation of the images.