초록

A power supply for a thermokeratoplasty system. The power supply can be connected to an electrode and a return element that are both coupled to a cornea. The power supply can perform a test routine to determine whether the cornea is too "wet" or too "dry".

대표청구항 ▼

1. A probe assembly, comprising: a sleeve that has an inner channel; and, an electrode that is threaded through holes within said inner channel of said sleeve and has a tip which extends from said sleeve. 2. The probe assembly of claim 1, wherein said sleeve is constructed from a dielectric ma

1. A probe assembly, comprising: a sleeve that has an inner channel; and, an electrode that is threaded through holes within said inner channel of said sleeve and has a tip which extends from said sleeve. 2. The probe assembly of claim 1, wherein said sleeve is constructed from a dielectric material. 3. The probe assembly of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive that attaches said electrode to said sleeve. 4. A probe assembly, comprising: an arm that has a sleeve with an inner channel; and, a probe that extends through said inner channel of said sleeve, said probe having an electrode that extends from a probe body. 5. The probe assembly of claim 4, wherein said arm includes a detent ball that is pressed into an outer groove of said probe body. 6. The probe assembly of claim 4, wherein said probe body includes a stop that engages said arm sleeve. 7. The probe assembly of claim 4, wherein said arm has a male pin that is inserted into a female socket of said probe. 8. The probe assembly of claim 4, further comprising a probe holder that captures said probe. 9. A method for performing a procedure on an eye of a patient, comprising: grounding the patient; inserting an electrode into a handle, the electrode having an anti-rotation feature; placing the electrode in contact with a cornea of the eye; and, transmitting a radio frequency current through the cornea so that a portion of the cornea is denatured. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the electrode is inserted into a stroma layer of the cornea. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the electrode is placed onto the cornea in a circular pattern having a diameter that ranges from 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the electrode is removed from the handle when the procedure is completed. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein a current is transmitted through the cornea with a power no greater than 1.2 watts and for a duration no greater than 1.0 second.