Patent classifications
A61F2009/00846
MONITORING LASER PULSE ENERGY IN A LASER EYE SURGERY SYSTEM
A photo detector is selectively coupled to a first integrator or a second integrator with switching circuitry when the laser pulses. An integration time of the signal from the photo detector can be substantially greater than an amount of time between successive laser beam pulses in order to provide an accurate measurement of each laser beam pulse of a high repetition rate pulsed laser. The laser may comprise a clock coupled to an optical switch of the laser system, and control circuitry can control switching and coupling of the detector to the first integrator or the second integrator in response to the clock signal. The first integrator and the second integrator can be selectively coupled to an output such that the first integrator or the second integrator is coupled to the output of the energy detection circuitry when the other integrator is coupled to the detector.
APPLICATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION TO THE HUMAN IRIS
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.
Systems and methods for patient alignment and treatment
A system for supporting and aligning a patient during a color alteration procedure includes a laser system that delivers a laser in a first direction. A control computer may be adjacent the laser system for controlling the laser system. The control computer system may include a user interface in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The system may include a patient support structure having a patient support surface extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and configured to be adjustable to set a patient position or alignment relative to the laser system. Coarse adjustment hardware may be configured to cause automated and/or manual adjustments to the patient support surface in the first direction. Fine adjustment hardware may be configured to cause automated fine adjustments to the patient support surface in the first direction based on instructions received from the control computer.
AN APPARATUS FOR LASER PROCESSING AN EYE
An ophthalmic laser processing apparatus comprises: a laser device that outputs a pulsed laser beam towards an eye; an image capturing device that captures an image of the eye and provides image data; and a control device that detects eye movement based on the image data and controls the beam focus based on a predetermined eye processing pattern and the eye movement. The apparatus further comprises a visualization device controlled by the control device to output a visualization of a graphical illustration. The graphical illustration represents at least one of (a) a value of an eye parameter determined on the basis of the image data; (b) a frequency distribution of a value of an eye parameter determined on the basis of the image data data; and (c) a range of values of a pupil diameter determined on the basis of the image data.
VISION STRENGTHENING METHODS AND SYSTEMS
Active dichoptic perceptual-learning tasks or dichoptic game play have been shown to significantly improve visual acuity of amblyopic children and adults. However, these dichoptic perceptual learning tasks are intensive and repetitive such that non-compliance is high. In contrast, the invention provides dichoptic perceptual learning in a manner that the user maintains its use and compliance is increased. Further, compliance becomes automatic if the user performs tasks in a normal manner and “forgets” that they are actually undergoing treatment as it is integrated with minimal disruption to their life and activities. Accordingly, a methodology exploiting complementary dichoptic stimulation is presented.
HIGH SPEED TRACKING OF IOL DURING REFRACTIVE INDEX MODIFICATION
During a process of refractive index modification of an intraocular lens (IOL) using an ophthalmic laser system, optical position monitoring of the IOL is performed by a video camera system viewing the top surface of the IOL. Fiducials are incorporated into the IOL at manufacture, or created in-vivo with laser. The monitoring method employs a defined area of interest (AOI) to limit the number of pixels to be analyzed, to achieve adequately high acquisition speed. In one example, the AOI contains 5 camera scan line segments, each line segment having sufficient pixels to create a stable amplitude signature. Successive frames of the AOI are analyzed to detect movement of the fiducial and/or to determine whether the fiducial has been lost.
Laser eye surgery system
A laser eye surgery system includes a laser source, a ranging subsystem, an integrated optical subsystem, and a patient interface assembly. The laser source produces a treatment beam that includes a plurality of laser pulses. The ranging subsystem produces a source beam used to locate one or more structures of an eye. The ranging subsystem includes an optical coherence tomography (OCT) pickoff assembly that includes a first optical wedge and a second optical wedge separated from the first optical wedge. The OCT pickoff assembly is configured to divide an OCT source beam into a sample beam and a reference beam. The integrated optical subsystem is used to scan the treatment beam and the sample beam. The patient interface assembly couples the eye with the integrated optical subsystem so as to constrain the eye relative to the integrated optical subsystem.
LASER SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ALTERATION OF EYE COLOR
A method for altering an eye color of a patient with a color alteration procedure is disclosed that may include determining a laser power to deliver to stromal pigment in an iris of the eye of the patient by at least retrieving a set of laser criteria for delivery of an exposure less than 100 times a maximum permissible exposure that causes elimination of at least a portion of the stromal pigment. A laser system may be set to deliver laser light at the laser power which is less than the set of laser criteria and the laser light may be delivered with the laser system.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PATIENT ALIGNMENT AND TREATMENT
A system for supporting and aligning a patient during a color alteration procedure includes a laser system that delivers a laser in a first direction. A control computer may be adjacent the laser system for controlling the laser system. The control computer system may include a user interface in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The system may include a patient support structure having a patient support surface extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and configured to be adjustable to set a patient position or alignment relative to the laser system. Coarse adjustment hardware may be configured to cause automated and/or manual adjustments to the patient support surface in the first direction. Fine adjustment hardware may be configured to cause automated fine adjustments to the patient support surface in the first direction based on instructions received from the control computer.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EYE IMAGING AND POSITION CONTROL
A method for altering an eye color of a patient with a color alteration procedure is disclosed that may include imaging the iris with an image sensor prior to the color alteration procedure to generate an image of the iris. A mapping of the iris may be generated from the image. The mapping may include a number of regions corresponding to varying absorption coefficients of a treatment wavelength in the stromal pigment of the iris. A laser system may be set, based on the mapping, to deliver laser light at a laser power sufficient to cause elimination of at least a portion of stromal pigment in the iris. The laser light may then be delivered with the laser system.