초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for performing a myringotomy in a child's ear without the need for anaesthesia. A charge coupled device or television camera is aimed within a micromanipulator housing at a child's ear drum. The housing is retained to the ear, either with a fastener such as an adhesive or in

An apparatus and method for performing a myringotomy in a child's ear without the need for anaesthesia. A charge coupled device or television camera is aimed within a micromanipulator housing at a child's ear drum. The housing is retained to the ear, either with a fastener such as an adhesive or in a helmet, so that the housing moves with the movement of the child's head. A video image of the ear drum surface is displayed on a screen from signals transmitted from the camera device. A physician marks on the screen with an electronic pen pointer where the laser beam should be aimed at the ear drum surface. A microprocessor responds to this marking to determine the appropriate coordinates and instructs mirror control motors to rotate a scanning mirror in the path of the laser beam. The laser may be fired and its beam is directed by the scanning mirror to strike a desired location by passing through the housing attached to the child's ear without being affected by any sudden movement of the child's head.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus useful in preparing to perform laser surgery without the need for anesthesia, comprising:a helmet with a passage;a viewing device within said helmet to be worn on a head with a target area so that the viewing device may be aimed at the target area;a beam posi

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus useful in preparing to perform laser surgery without the need for anesthesia, comprising:a helmet with a passage;a viewing device within said helmet to be worn on a head with a target area so that the viewing device may be aimed at the target area;a beam positioning device mounted to said helmet to direct a laser beam emitted from a laser to pass through the passage to strike the target area; anda retainer that retains the helmet to move in unison with and in response to movement of the target area so as to maintain a relative position of said helmet relative to said target area throughout said movement, said beam positioning device being adjustable to change a course that the laser beam travels to strike the target area upon firing of the laser that emits the laser beam.