Application of Electromagnetic Radiation to the Human Iris

Abstract

Rather than rely solely upon pupillary occlusion or tracking of eye movement to protect the fundus from accidental exposure to electromagnetic radiation, the present invention also utilizes an electromagnetic radiation pathway with a profile such that the energy density at the iris is greater than the energy density at the posterior portion of the eye. This disparity in energy density allows for efficacy at the anterior iris treatment site, without injury to the fundus.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for delivering electromagnetic radiation to the iris of the human eye, comprising:
 an electromagnetic radiation generator;   a computerized scanning system to apply the electromagnetic radiation to the iris; and   a delivery profile of the electromagnetic radiation pathway such that the energy density at the iris is greater than the energy density at the posterior portion of the eye.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprises light waves. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the electromagnetic radiation generator is a laser. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprises sound waves. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the electromagnetic radiation generator is a sound amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (SASER) device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the electromagnetic radiation is applied in one or more a spiral patterns. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the spiral pattern comprises two zones, both concentric to the pupil, the first zone extending from approximately the outer periphery of the pupillary constrictor muscles to approximately the outer periphery of the pupil, and the second zone extending from approximately the limbus to approximately the outer periphery of the pupillary constrictor muscles. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the electromagnetic radiation is applied to the first zone prior to its application to the second zone. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the site of a second application of the electromagnetic radiation overlaps the site of a first application of electromagnetic radiation within a 24-hour period. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the site of a subsequent application of the electromagnetic radiation does not overlap the site of any previous application of electromagnetic radiation within an approximately 24-hour period. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the electromagnetic radiation is not applied inside the perimeter of the pupil. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the electromagnetic radiation is applied to not less than 25 percent of the total anterior surface area of the iris. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the delivery profile of the light beam diverges posterior to the iris. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the divergence angle of the beam is not less than approximately 1.0 degree. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the divergence angle of the beam is not less than approximately 2.5 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the divergence angle of the beam is not less than approximately 5.0 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the divergence angle of the beam is not less than approximately 7.5 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the divergence angle of the beam is not less than approximately 10.0 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the divergence angle of the beam is not less than approximately 12.5 degrees. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a spot is produced on the anterior surface of the iris by the light waves, and the diameter of the spot is between approximately 10 microns and approximately 15 millimeters. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device also comprises an apparatus to restrict movement of the head. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21  wherein the apparatus comprises a bite bar. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22  wherein the apparatus also comprises an object that prevents the forehead from moving towards the device during treatment. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the object comprises at least one of a rod, a bar, or a strap. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device also comprises an apparatus to restrict movement of the treated eye. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25  wherein the apparatus comprises a gaze fixation target. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26  wherein the target comprises a moving video image. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27  wherein the moving video image comprises live action. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 27  wherein the moving video image comprises animation. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 26  wherein the target comprises a light. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the light changes color at least one time during treatment. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the light changes intensity at least one time during treatment. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the light is situated inside of a cylindrical tube. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 26  wherein the target is situated in front of the treated eye during treatment. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 26  wherein the target is situated in front of the fellow eye during treatment. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device also includes detecting movement of the eye during treatment. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 36  wherein movement of the eye is detected by detecting movement of the pupil. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 37  wherein infrared iris transillumination is used to locate the pupil. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 36  wherein the application site of the electromagnetic radiation moves to correspond to the movement of the eye. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 36  wherein application of the electromagnetic radiation is suspended if the eye moves from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 40  wherein application of the electromagnetic radiation resumes if the eye returns to the first position. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the device also measures the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye and adjusts the application of the light to take into account the refraction of the light during treatment. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the device also measures the shape of the cornea and adjusts the application of the light to take into account the refraction of the light during treatment.