Patent classifications
A61F9/00823
MEASUREMENT OF PULSED LASER OUTPUT USING OPTICAL DETECTION OF DUTY CYCLE
Systems and methods are disclosed for measuring pulsed laser output. An example system comprises a laser configured to emit output in pulses; at least one sensor positioned to sense laser output and configured to convert that output into electrical signals; an edge detector configured to detect at least leading edges of a plurality of laser pulses; an analog to digital converter configured to convert electrical signals from a sensor into digital signals indicative of laser power output; and a controller; wherein, based on the detection of at least the leading edges of the laser pulses, the controller is configured to obtain samples of laser power output during the laser pulses. The system may refrain from sampling laser power output between laser pulses or may sample laser power output between laser pulses at a reduced sample rate. The system may use the samples of laser power output in a feedback loop to automatically adjust laser power.
Avoiding blood vessels during direct selective laser trabeculoplasty
A system includes a radiation source and a controller. The controller is configured to designate, for irradiation, multiple target regions on an eye of a patient, and to perform an iterative process that includes, during each iteration of the process, acquiring an image of the eye, based on the image, calculating a location of a different respective one of the target regions, processing the image so as to identify any obstruction at the location, and provided no obstruction at the location is identified, causing the radiation source to irradiate the location. Other embodiments are also described.
Semi-automated ophthalmic photocoagulation method and apparatus
An ophthalmic treatment system and method for performing therapy on target tissue in a patient's eye. A delivery system delivers treatment light to the patient's eye and a camera captures a live image of the patient's eye. Control electronics control the delivery system, register a pre-treatment image of the patient's eye to the camera's live image (where the pre-treatment image includes a treatment template that identifies target tissue within the patient's eye), and verify whether or not the delivery system is aligned to the target tissue defined by the treatment template. The control electronics control the delivery system to project the treatment light onto the patient's eye in response to both an activation of a trigger device and the verification that the delivery system is aligned to the target tissue, as well as adjust delivery system alignment to track eye movement.
Multiple spot photomedical treatment using a laser indirect ophthalmoscope
A laser indirect ophthalmoscope (LIO) apparatus for photomedical treatment and/or diagnosis is presented. The LIO apparatus allows multiple spot ophthalmic surgery to be performed in a wider range of patient positions and less intrusively than currently available methods. The LIO apparatus utilizes a separate or integral beam multiplier that generates one or more optical beams via spatial and/or temporal separation, and an optical system that conditions and directs the one or more optical beams to a target to form a pattern. The LIO apparatus includes a headset, and is therefore wearable by the user (e.g., a physician).
System and process for retina phototherapy
A system and process for treating retinal diseases includes passing a plurality of radiant beams, i.e., laser light beams, through an optical lens or mask to optically shape the beams. The shaped beams are applied to at least a portion of the retina. Due to the selected parameters of the beamspulse length, power and duty cyclethe beams can be applied to substantially the entire retina, including the fovea, without damaging retinal or foveal tissue, while still attaining the benefits of retinal phototherapy or photostimulation.
Process for adjusting treatment parameters for retina phototherapy based on RPE melanin levels
A process for safely providing retinal phototherapy includes generating first and second light beams of a different wavelength. The first and second light beams are applied to a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid of an eye. The amount of light reflected from the eye from the first light beam and the second light beam is measured, such as using a reflectometer. A level or concentration of the melanin within the eye is calculated using the measured amount of light reflected from the eye from the first and second light beams. When the content or density of melanin in the RPE exceeds a predetermined amount, one or more treatment parameters of the retinal phototherapy is adjusted.
Systems and methods for measuring postlens tear film thickness
A dosimetry system may comprise a film stack and a laser system for applying a laser beam to the film stack. The system may further comprise an interferometry system configured to acquire from the film stack a first interferometric dataset comprising a first composite signal and a subsequent interferometric dataset comprising a subsequent composite signal. The system may also include a processor for comparing the first and subsequent composite signals, wherein a difference between the first and subsequent composite signals indicates a change in the film stack thickness. A dosimetry method may comprise applying a laser beam to such a film stack, acquiring the first and subsequent interferometric datasets, comparing them to detect a change in the film stack thickness, and ceasing to apply the laser beam to the film stack if the change in the film stack thickness exceeds a predetermined threshold.
TECHNIQUES FOR PERFORMING A SAFETY TEST OF A LASER DIODE OPHTHALMIC SURGICAL APPARATUS
Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for performing a safety test of a laser diode associated with an ophthalmic surgical apparatus. An example method determining a measured slope efficiency of the laser diode based on a plurality of different current levels applied to an input of the laser diode and a plurality of different output power levels associated with the laser diode, determining an expected slope efficiency of the laser diode based on a measured operating temperature of the ophthalmic surgical apparatus, determining a result of the safety test of the laser diode based on the measured slope efficiency of the laser diode and the expected slope efficiency for the laser diode, and outputting an electrical signal indicating a result of the safety test of the laser diode.
MEDICAL LASER SYSTEM
A medical laser system for ophthalmological surgery, such as photocoagulation or another method of photo-thermal stimulation. The laser system includes a laser device configured to emit laser radiation at a visible wavelength and a laser controller configured to control the laser system. The laser device includes a laser source configured to emit a source radiation, and a frequency converter configured to receive the source radiation and to output said emitted laser radiation as a frequency-converted output of a frequency conversion process, which has an efficiency dependent on a wavelength of the source radiation. The laser controller is configured to adjust the optical output power of the emitted laser radiation to a selected target value by adjusting an operating temperature of the laser source and/or an operating temperature of the frequency converter such that the frequency converter is operated at an efficiency smaller than the maximum of the efficiency.
MULTI-FIBER MULTI-SPOT LASER PROBE WITH SIMPLIFIED TIP CONSTRUCTION
An example multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe comprises a plurality of fibers extending from a proximal end of the laser probe to at least near a distal end of the laser probe, where the proximal end of the laser probe is configured to be coupled to a laser source via an adapter interface, and a cannula having a distal end and surrounding the plurality of fibers along at least a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe, where a distal end of each of the plurality of fibers is angle-polished so that the distal end of each fiber is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the cannula and relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. Additional embodiments employ lensed fibers, a distal window, ball lens, lens array, or faceted wedge.