Patents by Inventor Robert L. Epstein

Robert L. Epstein has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6951556
    Abstract: A novel method and apparatus are provided for correcting an off-center laser ablation in the cornea, in which the original ablated area has a center that is offset from the correct center of the optical cornea. The method comprises the steps of determining the correct optical center of the cornea and the offset location of the ablation; performing a supplemental laser ablation on the cornea with the laser beam covering generally the original ablated area, and with the energy of the supplemental laser increasing in a direction from the offset center toward the correct center; introducing a laser shield to cover the entire original ablated area; and performing another laser ablation with the correct optical center as the center of the ablated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventor: Robert L. Epstein
  • Publication number: 20040002696
    Abstract: A novel method and apparatus are provided for correcting an off-center laser ablation in the cornea, in which the original ablated area has a center that is offset from the correct center of the optical cornea. The method comprises the steps of determining the correct optical center of the cornea and the offset location of the ablation; performing a supplemental laser ablation on the cornea with the laser beam covering generally the original ablated area, and with the energy of the supplemental laser increasing in a direction from the offset center toward the correct center; introducing a laser shield to cover the entire original ablated area; and performing another laser ablation with the correct optical center as the center of the ablated area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Robert L. Epstein
  • Patent number: 6613043
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to increase the accuracy and safety of ablative laser treatments of the eye. In an illustrative embodiment, tissue is removed from the cornea, via a laser, to provide an effluent from the cornea. The effluent is aspirated and deposited into a chemical analyzer. The amount of effluent that has been deposited is quantitated. Data relating to a dimension of the ablated cornea is inputted to a computer and data relating to the quantitized effluent is also inputted to the computer. The computer uses the quantitized effluent data and the inputted dimension data to estimate the number of diopters of treatment accomplished. The estimated number of diopters of treatment accomplished is compared to a desired number of diopters of treatment and the laser treatment is modified based on the comparison for most accurate optical results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Robert L. Epstein
  • Publication number: 20030084908
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to increase the accuracy and safety of ablative laser treatments of the eye. In an illustrative embodiment, tissue is removed from the cornea, via a laser, to provide an effluent from the cornea. The effluent is aspirated and deposited into a chemical analyzer. The amount of effluent that has been deposited is quantitated. Data relating to a dimension of the ablated cornea is inputted to a computer and data relating to the quantitized effluent is also inputted to the computer. The computer uses the quantitized effluent data and the inputted dimension data to estimate the number of diopters of treatment accomplished. The estimated number of diopters of treatment accomplished is compared to a desired number of diopters of treatment and the laser treatment is modified based on the comparison for most accurate optical results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Robert L. Epstein
  • Patent number: 5437657
    Abstract: The surgical instrument apparatus emits a narrow beam of light that exits a point on the blade. The light crosses in front of the blade at a point predetermined by the surgeon. The light is reflected off the Descemet's membrane when the tip of the blade reaches the proper depth and bounces back into an entrance point on the blade. The reflected light is received by a light sensor that is coupled to a transmitter. The transmitter sends a signal to a receiver coupled to a tone generator. When the tone is generated, the surgeon knows that the incision has reached the proper depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Robert L. Epstein
  • Patent number: D370532
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventors: Robert L. Epstein, Eileen P. Laurence