Patent ID: 7044945
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of thermal ciliary muscle tendinoplasty which prevents or inhibits a subsequent loss of functional effect caused by thermally induced scleral epithelial apoptosis, the method comprising: applying thermal energy to the sclera such that the thermal energy increases sub-epithelial stromal temperature in at least one selected location sufficient to induce hydrothermal collagen fibrillar shrinkage leading to a refractive change; and cooling the scleral epithelium at least one of prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to, the application of the thermal energy, so that heat generated by the thermal energy to the sclera that radiates through the epithelium is unable to cause epithelial thermal trauma in at least some epithelial cells through which the energy is transmitted, so that fewer epithelial cells apoptose than would without cooling.