CORNEA OPERATING APPARATUS

Abstract: This invention relates to a cornea operating method using an ultraviolet laser, such as an excimer laser for carrying out the correction of flexion abnormality of myopic, hypermetropic and astigmatic corneas or a turbid cornea treatment, and an apparatus used for this cornea operating method. In the method according to this invention, a cornea (1) is cooled before, during and after an operation thereon, and a liquid medicine having cornea curing, healing promoting and antiphlogistic effects is sprinkled or sprayed over the cornea (1) at least before and after an operation, and preferably before, during and after an operation, a laser beam applied to the cornea after an excess liquid medicine has been removed from the cornea. According to the present invention, a side effect caused by the photochemical thermal reaction of a cornea due to the application of a laser beam can be minimized owing to the cooling of the cornea and the action of the liquid medicine.

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting an operation on the cornea of an eye for correcting an abnormal curve of the cornea of the eye, such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, or for treating opacity of the cornea of the eye, and to a cooling apparatus. BACKGROUND ART For correcting an abnormal curve of the cornea of an eye, such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, or for treating opacity of the cornea of the eye, there have heretofore been conducted surgical operations in which the cornea of the eye is rubbed by a spatula-like scalpel, or is ground by a rotating file. However, in the case of using such a spatula-like scalpel or a file, there have been encountered drawbacks that it has been difficult to accurately form the optical axis of the eye since the eyeball moves during the operation, that the operation on the cornea could not be performed smoothly and neatly, so that satisfactory treatment effects could not be expected, and that much time has been required for the curing after the operation. As a surgical operation on the cornea of an eye replacing this, there is already known a method of conducting an operation on the cornea of an eye by the use of a laser knife, for example, from U. S. Patent No. 4,718,418 and U. S. Patent No. 4,994,058. However, even with this operation method using a laser, there have been pointed out problems that adverse effects due to photochemical heat such, for example, as an attack on the tissue of the cornea, are intense, so that after the operation, the cornea is liable to undergo a tissue destruction, a burn, alternation, distortion, opacity and so on, and that much time is required for the curing after the operation. To solve these problems, an operation on the cornea has now been conducted using an ultraviolet laser, particularly an excimer laser, which is said to less suffer from the effects of photochemical heat among lasers; however, even with the excimer laser, the effects due to a photochemical thermal reaction can not be entirely avoided. When ablating the tissue of the cornea with an excimer laser, the molecules of the cornea are cut, and this is called ablation. When the excimer laser is applied to the cornea, many free radicals are produced with the ablation, and also it is thought that the following phenomenon occurs. The moisture in the corneal stroma is dissipated as steam upon laser beam radiation, and also is heated to a temperature of 200∼300 °C to be formed into bubbles in the cornea, and moves actively to destroy the arrangement of collagen in the corneal stroma. Further, the excimer laser beam, when impinging on the collagen, cuts the bond of the molecules thereof to produce a plume (mushroom-shaped cloud) to produce a thermal imbalance condition locally, thereby generating a high temperature of 1000°C. This high temperature diffuses to the neighborhood to impart a thermal equilibrium condition to the cornea in the vicinity of the laser beam-irradiated portion, thereby causing a temperature rise of about 15°C as a whole to impart a thermal trouble to the corneal stroma, which creates the cause of the opacity. Furthermore, when the excimer laser beam is applied to the cornea, an impact sound is produced, and a high pressure impulsively develops. As described above, even if the excimer laser is used, the temperature of the cornea rises, and the arrangement of the collagen of the cornea is destroyed, and stresses due to the pressure increase are applied to the cornea, and particularly opacity develops immediately beneath the surface layer of the cornea. Thus, these side effects can not be avoided. Also, a collagen-like material is secreted from the endothelial cells to Descemet's membrane. EP-A-0 218 427 shows an apparatus for conducting an operation on the cornea of an eye, comprising fixing means to fix the eye in a stationary condition, an ultraviolet laser beam source, control means for controlling an ultraviolet laser being emitted from said source, an optical system for guiding said laser beam to an operation-applying portion of the cornea and means for cooling that portion of the cornea to undergo the operation. US-A-4,326,529 discloses a corneal-shaping electrode, comprising means for supplying a saline solution to the cornea and to remove the saline solution therefrom. The saline solution is used as the electrode. WO 92/01430 discloses an apparatus for cooling the cornea of an eye, said apparatus comprising a cooling member which has a bottom wall having a curved surface conforming in curvature to the cornea and a cylindrical side wall, and cooling means. It is an object of the present invention to provide an eye cornea operation apparatus as well as an eye cornea cooling apparatus, particularly for use in said operation apparatus, said apparatuses being enhanced as compared with known apparatuses. According to the invention, the above object is achieved by an apparatus for conducting an operation on the cornea of an eye according to claim 1 and by an apparatus for cooling the cornea of an eye according to claims 19. Preferred embodiments are claimed in the sub-claims. Although the present invention can be extensively applied to operations on the cornea of an eye employing an ultraviolet laser, the most preferred ultraviolet laser is an excimer laser. Before, during and after the operation, the operation-applying portion of the cornea of the eye is cooled so as to form a cooling barrier, thereby alleviating side effects due to heat produced by excimer laser radiation, and also suppressing the activity of the organism and cells of the cornea, thus suppressing an excessive reaction of the organism against excimer laser radiation. Also, the liquid medicine for remedy, protection, cure promotion and resolution purposes is suitably sprinkled or sprayed onto the operation-applying portion of the eye cornea, thereby protecting the eye cornea, accelerating the remedy, and preventing side effects such as opacity. The excess liquid medicine sprinkled on the cornea must be removed when the laser radiation is applied, and the irradiation of the laser beam is effected in an ON-OFF manner to produce pulses, and therefore the control is effected in such a manner that the sprinkling of the liquid medicine as well as the blowing-off of the liquid medicine by gas is carried out during a short time period (corresponding to the pulse interval) when the laser radiation is OFF. Instead of merely sprinkling the liquid medicine on the cornea, it can be sprayed in an atomized condition, in which case the effect is also achieved. It is proper that the medicine for protecting the cornea and for alleviating the side effects contain, as ingredients, salts such as NaCl, CaCl 2 , KCl and MgCl 2 , buffer salts such as NaH 2 PO 4 and NaHCO 3 , and an energy source such as glucose and glutatione, and that the medicine be in the form of a solution having an osmotic pressure of 305∼310 mOsm and PH 7.2∼7.6. According to results of animal tests, good results can be obtained when the cornea cooling temperature is 0∼10°C. In some cases, the operation may be conducted in a frozen condition of the cornea cooled to a temperature of not more than 0°C. In order to accurately control the cooling temperature to a desired value, it is necessary that a sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooling means should be provided, and that a temperature control means responsive to a signal from this sensor for controlling the temperature of the cooling means to a predetermined temperature should be provided. This temperature control can be effected quite simply and accurately by using Peltier elements as the cooling means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a cornea cooling and liquid medicine supply apparatus used for an operation on the cornea of an eye by an ultraviolet laser; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment obtained by modifying part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of a corneal epithelium separating device; Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b are a front cross-sectional view and a bottom view of another corneal epithelium separating device, respectively; Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system for the apparatus for conducting a corneal operation; Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the timings of the operations; Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the cross-section of a half of an embodiment of an apparatus for effecting the cooling of the cornea and the spraying of a liquid medicine during the operation where the cornea is deeply cut; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus used for a slight-degree eye cornea operation; Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the cross-section of a half of an embodiment of an apparatus used for a medium- and high-degree eye cornea operation, showing an internal structure thereof; and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an apparatus for effecting the cooling of the cornea and the sprinkling of a liquid medicine before and after an eye cornea operation. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An eye cornea operation is initiated by starting the instillation of a liquid medicine on an eye and an internal administration of a medicine one week before the operation. This liquid medicine has the effect of alleviating troubles due to a photochemical thermal reaction involved in the operation using a laser, and more specifically has such effects as the safety of the cornea treatment, a promoted remedy after the operation and resolution, and it has been confirmed through animal tests that the liquid medicine is extremely effective when it contains as ingredients oxygltatione + salts + buffer salts + glucose + glutatione (tradename: BSS PLUS), Rinderon (steroid), tarivid (antibiotic agent) and Sikon + Toki (burn curing medicine). By repeatedly instilling this liquid medicine on the eye before the operation, the concentration of the liquid medicine in the cornea is increased. It has been found that to internally administer an antiphlogistic, such as tatione and steroid or indacine, simultaneously with the instillation further enhances the effect. Before starting the operation, the cooling of the cornea, as well as the sprinkling or spraying of a liquid medicine onto the cornea, is effected. Although the side effects are reduced only with the cooling, it has been confirmed through animal tests that the use of both the cooling and the liquid medicine further reduce the side effects. The liquid medicine is the same as that used for instillation. Sikon and Toki in this liquid medicine are herb medicines, and the Sikon serves to cure a burn, an inflammation and a tumefaction and also to lower a local temperature, while the toki serves to promote the effect of the Sikon. Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of an apparatus for effecting the cooling of the cornea as well as the sprinkling of the liquid medicine on the cornea. In Fig. 1, 1 denotes the cornea of an eye, and 2 denotes the sclera thereof. The cornea-cooling and liquid medicine-sprinkling apparatus comprises an outer tube 3 and an inner tube 4, and the outer tube 3 comprises three-stage blocks 5, 6 and 7 integrally connected together, and is adapted to be placed on the sclera 2. A lower surface of the lower-stage block 5 is formed into a curved surface conforming in configuration to the surface of the sclera 2, and a downwardly-open annular suction chamber 8 is formed in this lower surface. The suction chamber 8 is connected to a vacuum source via a tube 9 so as to create a negative pressure therein, thereby holding the outer tube 3 on the sclera 2 by suction. During the operation, the eyeball is thus fixed in a stationary condition, and the optical axis of the eyeball is accurately positioned. Peltier elements are incorporated in the intermediate-stage block 6, and is arranged in such a manner that their heat-absorbing side is directed toward the lower-stage block 5 while their heat-generating side is directed toward the upper-stage block 7. The upper-stage block 7 serves as a heatsink, and a cooling medium, flowed thereinto from a tube 10, cools the heat-generating side of the Peltier element in the block 6, and flows out into a tube 11. Thus, the temperature of the heat-absorbing side of the Peltier element is further lowered. The cooling temperature by the Peltier element can be controlled by electric current flowing through the Peltier element, and therefore there is provided an advantage that the cooling temperature can be easily controlled. Low-temperature gas such as cooled carbon dioxide gas, liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, Freon gas and the air, or a cooled liquid such for example as any arbitrary cooling liquid such as city water can be used as the cooling medium flowing through the heatsink 7. The lower-stage block 5 is preferably made of metal such as platinum, gold, silver and stainless steel, but other material than metal such as ceramics can be used in so far as it has a high thermal conductivity. The lower-stage block 5 is cooled by the Peltier element in the intermediate-stage block 6, and cools the sclera 2 and the outer peripheral portion of the cornea 1, so that the peripheral portion of the cornea to undergo the operation is cooled from the periphery. Suction holes 12 are formed in the lower-stage block 5 for removing the liquid medicine, sprinkled on the cornea 1, before laser radiation as described later. In the sequence from the bottom to the top, a liquid medicine reservoir portion 13, a Peltier element portion 14, and a heatsink 15 for cooling the Peltier element portion 14 are provided at the inner tube 4. A bottom wall 16 of the liquid medicine reservoir portion 13 is formed into a curved surface conforming in curvature to the surface of the cornea 1, and has a number of liquid medicine discharging holes 17. The liquid medicine reservoir portion 13 has a surrounding wall made of a thermally-conductive material similar to that of the lower-stage block 5 of the inner tube 3, and is cooled by the Peltier element 14 above it, so that the liquid medicine therein is cooled, and also the bottom wall 16 is cooled, thereby cooling the cornea 1 disposed in contact with the bottom wall 16. 18 denotes a tube for supplying the liquid medicine to the liquid medicine reservoir portion 13. Incidentally, it is desirable that a cooling device utilizing Peltier elements be provided midway on the tube 18 so as to beforehand cool the liquid medicine to be supplied to the liquid medicine reservoir portion 13. When the above apparatus is used for providing a pretreatment for the operation, the outer tube 3 is always kept fixed on the sclera 2 while the inner tube 4 is moved upward and downward between a position where the inner tube 4 is in contact with the cornea 1 and a position where the inner tube is upwardly apart slightly from the cornea 1, thereby effecting the cooling of the cornea 1 and the supply of the liquid medicine onto the cornea 1 alternately. After this treatment, the liquid medicine on the cornea 1 is finally removed by suction through the suction holes 12 formed in the outer tube 3. Fig. 2 shows a modification of the apparatus of Fig. 1 which differs from the embodiment of Fig. 1 only in that a tube 18' for supplying the liquid medicine to the liquid medicine reservoir portion 13 passes through a central portion of the inner tube 4, and extends upwardly. The inner tube 4 can be withdrawn from the outer tube 3 as in the embodiment of Fig. 1. The cooling of the cornea and the sprinkling of the liquid medicine on the cornea are carried out as described above before the operation, and thereafter the epithelium of the cornea is separated. The following devices can be used for separating the epithelium. Fig. 3 shows one example of separation device in which an annular blade 20, projecting from a lower surface of a disk 19 at a peripheral edge portion thereof, is rotated by a motor 21, and the blade 20 is engaged with that portion of the epithelium 1' covering the surface of that portion of the cornea (stroma) 1 to undergo the operation, and is rotated to form a circular line of cut having a depth of 30∼40 µ. The height of the blade projected from the lower surface of the disk 19 is set to 30∼40 µ so that it will not damage the cornea stroma, and the lower surface of the disk 19 serves as a stopper so that the line of cut in the epithelium will not be deepened further. Without using the motor, the disk may be pressed against the cornea form the upper side with the hand, and is rotated, thereby forming a line of cut. The annular blade has a diameter of 4.5∼10 mm. A piece of the epithelium formed by the line of cut is removed by a spatula. Figs. 4a and 4b are a cross-sectional view and a bottom view of another example of epithelium separation device, respectively. A disk 22 rotated by a motor 21 is curved downwardly into agreement with the curvature of the cornea, and an annular blade 23 is projected from a lower surface of this disk at a peripheral edge portion thereof. Slits 24 are formed in the disk 22, and a blade 24' is formed along one edge of each slit 24. In this example, a circular line of cut is formed in the epithelium of the cornea by the blade 23, and that portion of the epithelium disposed inside this line of cut is removed by the blades 24', and is discharged through the slits 24. The above separating operation is carried out in the apparatus of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 while continuing the cooling of the cornea, with the outer tube 3 fixed to the sclera 2 but with the inner tube 4 removed. After the epithelium of the cornea is separated, the inner tube 4 is again fitted in the outer tube 3 in the apparatus of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, and the cooling of the cornea and the sprinkling of the liquid medicine are effected. Then, a corneal ablation operation is carried out by excimer laser radiation. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a general construction of an excimer laser control system. By controlling a diaphragm aperture in accordance with an abnormal refraction condition, a laser beam is adjusted in energy distribution, and is reflected by a dichroic mirror, and is applied to that portion of the cornea to undergo the operation. The laser beam-applied portion of the cornea to undergo the operation is observed by a microscope through the dichroic mirror. Where the Peltier elements are used as means for cooling the cornea, the temperature of the heat-absorbing portion of the Peltier element is detected by a temperature sensor, and electric current flowing through the Peltier element is subjected to a feedback control so that this temperature can be brought into a predetermined temperature. The laser beam is emitted as pulses as shown in Fig. 6, and is intermittently applied onto the cornea. During laser radiation, the liquid medicine should not be deposited on the cornea, and therefore the laser radiation, the supply of the liquid medicine and the blowing of gas are controlled at such timings that the liquid medicine is supplied immediately after the laser radiation is off, and is removed from the cornea, for example, by gas blown thereto immediately before the laser radiation is on, and is discharged through the suction holes always maintained under negative pressure. Where the operation is to be conducted by a scanning method, with a spot of the excimer laser made small, and where the side effects are small as in an operation for myopia, astigmatism or hyperopia of a slight degree, there can be used a method in which the inner tube 4 is removed with the outer tube 3 kept fixed in the apparatus of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, and only the peripheral portion of the cornea to undergo the operation continues to be cooled, and the excimer laser radiation is applied through the central portion of the outer tube 3 to that portion of the cornea to undergo the operation, without cooling the central portion of the cornea and without supplying the liquid medicine to the cornea. Where the diameter of the spot of excimer laser radiation is large enough to produce large energy, and where the ablation of the cornea is deep because of an operation for abnormal refraction of a high degree, the cooling of the cornea, as well as the supply of the cooled remedy liquid medicine to the cornea, must be effected even during the operation by the excimer laser. Fig. 7 shows one example of apparatus used in such a case. Instead of the apparatus of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, the apparatus of Fig. 7 is placed on the sclera 2 after the separation of the corneal epithelium is effected. The apparatus of Fig. 7 comprises a cylindrical member 25 having generally the same size as that of the outer tube 3 of the apparatus of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, and its lower end portion, adapted to contact the sclera 2 and a peripheral portion of the cornea 1, is constituted by an assembly of Peltier elements 26. Although not shown, an eye fixing means such as a suction chamber as in the outer tube of Fig. 1 or claws, is provided on that surface of the Peltier elements adapted to contact the sclera 2. Remedy liquid medicine supply passageways 27, pressurized gas supply passageways 28 and liquid medicine suction holes 29 are formed through a cylindrical wall above the Peltier elements in this order from the upper side. A liquid medicine spray nozzle 30 is mounted on an inner end of the passageway 27, and a pressurized gas injection nozzle 31 is mounted on an inner end of the passageway 28. An excimer laser beam is applied from the upper side of the cylindrical member 25 to the cornea 1 through a generally central portion thereof. During the operation, the Peltier elements 26 cool the sclera 2 around the cornea 1 undergoing the operation, as well as the peripheral portion of the cornea, and the excimer laser are irradiated as pulses as shown in Fig. 6. During the interruption of the laser radiation, the remedy liquid medicine is sprayed from the liquid medicine spray nozzles 31 onto the cornea 1 at a predetermined timing, and pressurized gas is injected from the injection nozzles 31 at a predetermined timing to blow off the liquid medicine deposited on the cornea 1, and this liquid medicine is removed by suction through the suction holes 29. Thus, with the apparatus of Fig. 7, not only the cooling of the cornea but also the supply of the remedy liquid medicine are effected even during the operation by the excimer laser, and therefore even if a deep ablation of the cornea 1 is effected using large energy, the production of side effects can be kept to a low level. Particularly in this apparatus, if the supply of the liquid medicine to the cornea is effected not only by sprinkling but also by spraying, this further enhances the effect. After the operation, the cooling of the cornea and the supply of the liquid medicine are sufficiently effected using the apparatus of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. It is appropriate that the cooling temperature should be 4°C, but if the cooling is effected too long, the function of the endothelial cells of the cornea is lowered, so that the cornea is subjected to swelling. Therefore, the cooling by the Peltier elements is stopped in a suitable period of time, and thereafter only the supply of the cooled remedy liquid medicine is effected. Time required for this is 2∼3 minutes. Then, an ointment of steroid, such for example as an ointment prepared by mixing, with Neo-Medrol EE ointment, an antibiotic agent such as tarivid, indacine (non-steroid antiphlogistic), BSS PLUS or tatione, Sikon plus Toki, and neurotensin and fibronectin plus EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor), is applied to the eye, and an eye bondage is used. Alternatively, a disposable soft lens (for example, the tradename "ACUVUE") or a collagen shield impregnated with a liquid medicine composed of these ingredients is put into the eye to cover the cornea. By doing so, the wound is quickly cured and the pain after the operation is eased. Also, an injection of steroid, an antibiotic agent and Sikon is applied under the conjunctiva. Various other embodiments of apparatus used for an eye cornea operation of the present invention will now be described. Fig. 8 shows an apparatus for conducting a slight-degree eye cornea operation. An eye fixing ring 31a is mounted on a support post 32 for upward and downward movement, and is placed in such a manner as to be slightly pressed against the sclera 2 around the cornea 1 in surrounding relation to the cornea. A number of claws 33 are mounted on a lower surface of the fixing ring 31a, and fix the eye against movement relative to the fixing ring 31a, thereby properly positioning the optical axis of the eye. A ring-shaped cooling pipe 35 is fixedly provided above the fixing ring 31a through a support bar 34. The cooling pipe 35 is connected to a cooling gas aerosol 37 via a connecting pipe 36, and cooling gas is injected toward the cornea 1 from a number of injection nozzles 38, provided in a lower surface of this cooling pipe, to cool the cornea 1. Carbon dioxide gas, liquid nitrogen, liquid helium or the like is used as the cooling gas, and instead of the cooling gas, a cooling liquid such as cooled BSS PLUS, physiological saline and a Ringer's solution may be used. The cooling pipe 35 is fixed to the support bar 34 in such a manner that the distance between this cooling pipe and the cornea 1, as well as the angle of this cooling pipe relative to the cornea 1, can be adjusted, and the cooling pipe beforehand forms a cooling barrier around the portion to undergo the operation. An excimer laser 39 is mounted above the cooling pipe 35, and applies laser beams to the cornea 1 through a space encircled by the cooling pipe 35. Before and after the irradiation of the laser beam, a liquid medicine, having such effects as cornea remedy, cure promotion and resolution, is sprinkled on the cornea by the use of a suitable device. It is also necessary to blow off this liquid medicine from the cornea before the irradiation. A shut-off valve 40 is provided on the connecting pipe 36 connecting the cooling pipe 35 to the cooling gas bomb 37, and the opening and closing operation of this shut-off valve 40 is associated with the operation of the excimer laser 39 by a controller 41. When the laser beam is to be applied, the shut-off valve 40 is closed to interrupt the blowing of the cooling gas, and when the irradiation of the laser beam is stopped, the cooling gas is blown. Thus, the blowing of the cooling gas and the irradiation of the laser beam can be sequentially repeated. Alternatively, the treatment by the excimer laser may be carried out while continuously blowing the gas. The thickness of the fixing ring 31a is set to 1∼5 mm, and its diameter is set to 12∼30 mm. The thickness of the cooling pipe 35 is set to 2∼15 mm, and the inner diameter of the gas passageway is set to 1∼13 mm, and its pipe diameter is set to 6∼50 mm. Fig. 9 shows an apparatus for conducting a medium-degree eye cornea operation, and a hollow cylindrical fixing tube 42 made, for example, of an acrylic material, is mounted on a support post 32 for upward and downward movement. The fixing tube 42 has such a diameter that it covers the cornea 1 of the eye and part of the sclera 2 around the cornea. A suction tube 43, which communicates with a vacuum pump (not shown) and has a number of spaced narrow holes for contact with the sclera 2, is provided along the bore of the fixing tube 42 at a lower end portion thereof, and the fixing tube 42 is fixed to the eye by suction. A cooling pipe 44, having a number of downwardly-directed nozzles 45 formed therein, is mounted along the inner surface of the fixing tube 42 at an upper end portion thereof, and cooling gas or a cooling liquid is applied toward the eye cornea to form a cooling barrier at the operation-applying portion of the cornea. An excimer laser 39 is mounted above the fixing tube 42, and applies laser beams to the cooled cornea through a hollow portion of the fixing tube 42. Before and after the irradiation of the laser beam, a liquid medicine is sprinkled or sprayed onto the cornea by the use of a suitable device as described above, and it is also necessary to blow off this liquid medicine from the cornea before the irradiation. Further, a microcamera 46 connected to a television monitor (not shown) is mounted on the fixing tube 42, so that the condition of the operation on the cornea can be monitored through the television monitor, and also a temperature sensor 47 is provided so that the operation can be conducted while confirming the cooling condition of that portion of the cornea undergoing the operation, as well as the condition of formation of the cooling barrier. This is useful. The timing of irradiation of the laser beam, as well as the timing of blowing of the cooling gas, may be controlled by the use of a controller, as in the apparatus of Fig. 8. Referring to the type of apparatus for conducting a high-degree eye cornea operation, the upper open end of the fixing tube 42 in the apparatus of Fig. 9 is closed by a lid 48 made of a material having laser beam-transmitting properties, such as quartz glass. When the fixing tube 42 with this lid 48 is fixed by suction on the eye, the interior of the fixing tube 42 is sealed from the outside air, and therefore the cooling gas injected from the cooling pipe 44 will not leak to the exterior, so that the cooling of the cornea can be carried out in a short time period. By connecting a suction pipe 49 to the fixing tube 42, the interior of the fixing tube 42 can be evacuated by a vacuum pump (not shown), so that the cornea cut by the laser beam from the excimer laser can be discharged to the exterior. By evacuating the interior of the fixing tube 42 through this suction pipe 42, the effect of bonding of the fixing tube relative to the eye can be further enhanced. Moreover, the use of the fixing tube 42 can prevent side effects caused by leakage of reflection light and scattered light of the excimer laser to the exterior. Fig. 10 shows an apparatus capable of effecting the cooling of the cornea and the supply of the remedy liquid medicine before and after the operation. A hollow cooling block 70 is mounted under Peltier elements 69, and the liquid medicine is supplied to the interior of the block 70 via a liquid medicine supply pipe 71. A lower surface of the cooling block 70 has a configuration conforming to the surface of the cornea, and a number of liquid medicine discharge ports (73) are formed through a bottom wall 72 thereof. The cooling block 70 is made of a thermally-conductive material, and is cooled in contact with a heat-absorbing portion of the Peltier elements 69. A heatsink 74 is provided in contact with an upper or heat-generating portion of the Peltier elements 69, and a cooling medium flows through the heatsink 74 via a cooling medium feed pipe 75 and a cooling medium discharge pipe 76 to cool the heat-generating portion of the Peltier element 69. The above apparatus can not be used during the operation by the excimer laser. The liquid medicine to be supplied to the cooling block 70 may be pre-cooled by Peltier elements (not shown) during the passage of this liquid medicine through the pipe 71 so that the cooling effect can be further enhanced. In this embodiment, a temperature sensor 70' is mounted in an upper wall of the cooling block 70 because of the arrangement of wiring. CAPABILITY OF EXPLOITATION IN INDUSTRY According to the apparatus of the present invention, in the surgical operation on the cornea of the eye by the use of the ultraviolet laser, particularly the excimer laser, the treatment effect can be achieved with less side effects.

Claims: An apparatus for conducting an operation on the cornea (1) of an eye, comprising fixing means (8, 9) for contact with the sclera (2) around the cornea (1) of the eye to fix the eye in a stationary condition; an ultraviolet laser beam source (39); control means (41) for controlling an ultraviolet laser beam emitted from said laser beam source (39); an optical system for guiding said laser beam to an operation-applying portion of the cornea (1) and means (6, 14, 15) for cooling that portion of the cornea (1) to undergo the operation, said cooling means (6, 14, 15) being fixable in position with respect to the eye fixed by said fixing means (8, 9); characterized by comprising in addition means (17, 18) for sprinkling or spraying a liquid medicine onto the cornea; and means (12) for removing the liquid medicine supplied onto the cornea (1), wherein said sprinkling or spraying means (17, 18) is fixable in position with respect to the eye fixed by said fixing means (8, 9). The apparatus according to claim 1, in which said ultraviolet laser beam source (39) is an excimer laser. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a microcamera (46) for picking up an image of the operation-applying portion, and a television monitor connected to said microcamera. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a sensor (47) for detecting the temperature of said cooling means, and a temperature control device responsive to a signal from said sensor (47) for controlling the temperature of said cooling means to a predetermined temperature. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which said fixing means (31) comprises a number of claws (33) arranged in a ring-like manner for engaging the sclera (2). The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which said fixing means comprises an annular suction tube (43) having a number of through holes for contact with the sclera (2), and the interior of said suction tube (43) is kept under negative pressure. The apparatus according to claim 6, in which said fixing means comprises a hollow cylindrical fixing tube (42), and said suction tube (47) mounted on an inner periphery of said fixing tube (42) at a lower end thereof; said cooling means comprises a ring-shaped cooling pipe (44) which is mounted on the inner periphery of said fixing tube (42) at an upper end thereof, and has a number of downwardly-directed, cooling fluid-injecting nozzles (45); and said optical system applies the laser beam to the operation-applying portion from an upper side of said fixing tube (42) through a central space in said fixing tube (42). The apparatus according to claim 7, in which a lid (48) having laser beam-transmitting properties is attached to an upper open end of said fixing tube (42), and a suction pipe (49) for discharging the cornea cut by the laser beam is connected to said fixing tube (42). The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which said cooling means (6, 14, 15) is so constructed as to be cooled by flowing a cooling medium therethrough. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which said cooling means (6, 14, 15) is so constructed as to be cooled by a Peltier element (6, 14). The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which said fixing means comprises a fixing ring (31) supported for upward and downward movement, and a number of claws (33) projecting downwardly from said fixing ring (31); said cooling means comprises a ring-shaped cooling pipe (35) which is disposed above said fixing ring (31) coaxially therewith, and has a number of downwardly-directed, cooling-medium-injecting nozzles (38); and said optical system is so constructed as to guide the laser beam to the operation-applying portion through spaces surrounded respectively by said cooling pipe (35) and said fixing ring (31). The apparatus according to claim 11, in which a shut-off valve (40) is mounted on a pipe (35) connecting said cooling pipe (35) to a cooling fluid source (37), and there is provided a controller (41) which controls said shut-off valve (40) in such a manner that said shut-off valve (40) is closed when said laser beam is irradiated whereas said shut-off valve (40) is open when said laser beam is not irradiated. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which said apparatus comprises Peltier elements (26) which are provided at a lower end thereof, and are arranged in an annular manner for contact with the portion of the sclera (2) around the cornea (1) and a peripheral portion of the cornea (1); and a number of liquid medicine-spraying nozzles (30), pressurized gas-injecting nozzles (31) for removal of the liquid medicine, and liquid medicine suction holes (29) are formed at an inner wall surface of a cylindrical member (25) bonded coaxially to an upper surface of said Peltier elements (26); and the laser beam is applied to the cornea (1) from an upper side of said cylindrical member (25) through a central portion of said cylindrical member (25). The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which said apparatus comprises an annular cooling block (5) of a thermally-conductive material which has a central bore, and has a lower surface for contact with a peripheral portion of the cornea (1), a circular array of Peltier elements (6) mounted on said cooling block (5), and an annular heatsink (7) mounted on said Peltier elements (6); and the laser beam is applied to the cornea (1) from an upper side of said heatsink (7) through central bores of said heatsink, said Peltier elements (6) and said cooling block (5). The apparatus according to claim 14, in which fins (68) projecting into said heatsink are provided on an upper portion of said Peltier elements (66). The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which said apparatus comprises a plate (59) of a thermally-conductive material having a lower surface defined by a curved surface conforming in curvature to the cornea (1), a Peltier element (58) mounted on an upper surface of said plate (59), and a heatsink (62) mounted on an upper surface of said Peltier element (58), said plate (59) having a hole formed through a central portion thereof for passing the laser beam therethrough. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which said apparatus comprises a cooling block (5) which is constructed of an assembly of Peltier elements (6), and has a lower surface defined by a curved surface conforming in curvature to the cornea (1), and a heatsink (7) mounted on an upper surface of said cooling block (5), said heatsink (7) and said cooling block having bores formed respectively through central portions thereof for passing the laser beam therethrough. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which said apparatus comprises an annular outer tube (5) for being placed on the sclera (2) around the cornea (1) and a peripheral portion of the cornea (1), and an inner tube (4) fitted in said outer tube (5); said outer tube (5) comprises a cooling block of a thermally-conductive material which has a lower surface so shaped as to contact the sclera (2) and the peripheral portion of the cornea (2), and has a negative pressure-acting suction chamber (8) open to said lower surface, Peltier elements (6) mounted on said cooling block in an annular manner, and an annular heatsink (7) mounted on said Peltier elements (6); said inner tube (4) comprises a liquid medicine reservoir (13) of a thermally-conductive material which has a lower surface defined by a curved surface of a configuration conforming in curvature to the cornea (1), a bottom wall (16) having a number of liquid medicine discharge holes (17) formed therethrough, and a liquid medicine supply hole (18), a Peltier element (14) mounted on said liquid medicine reservoir (13), and a heatsink (15) mounted on said Peltier element (14); and a liquid medicine suction hole (12) is formed in said cooling block of said outer tube (5). An apparatus for cooling the cornea (1) of an eye which apparatus is for use before and after an operation for correcting an abnormal curve of the eye cornea (1) or for treating the opacity of the eye cornea, said cornea cooling apparatus comprising a cooling member which has a bottom wall (72) having a curved surface conforming in curvature to the cornea (1), and a cylindrical side wall, and cooling means provided within said cooling member, characterized in that said cooling member has three chambers which are an upper chamber (74), an intermediate chamber (69) and a lower chamber (70); a liquid medicine is injectable into said lower chamber (70); liquid medicine discharge ports (73) are formed through said bottom wall; a Peltier element is provided in said intermediate chamber (69); and said upper chamber (74) serves as a heatsink. The apparatus according to claim 19, in which a cooling medium is caused to flow through a casing, constituting said upper chamber (74), via a cooling medium feed port (75) and a cooling medium discharge port (76) which are formed in said casing.

Inventors: OKAMOTO SHINSEIRO, OKAMOTO, SHINSEIRO
Applicants: OKAMOTO SHINSEIRO, OKAMOTO, SHINSEIRO
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A61F9
IPC codes: A61B18, A61F9, A61B17, A61M1, A61M3