Patent classifications
A61F2009/00851
Apparatus for working on eye tissue by means of a pulsed laser beam
For the purposes of working on eye tissue, an ophthalmological apparatus comprises a laser source that is configured to produce a pulsed laser beam, a focusing optical unit that is configured to focus the pulsed laser beam into the eye tissue, a scanner system for deflecting the pulsed laser beam onto work target points in the eye tissue, and a measurement system for optically capturing structures in the eye tissue. A circuit controls the measurement system in such a way that the latter captures a cut first outer face of a lenticule to be cut. The circuit controls the scanner system in such a way that the latter guides the pulsed laser beam onto work target points on a second outer face, positioned in relation to the captured first outer face, of the lenticule to be cut, in order to cut the second outer face of the lenticule.
Corneal implant systems and methods
A storage/delivery device includes a first wall defining a well configured to receive a corneal tissue. The storage/delivery device includes a second wall configured to be positioned over the first wall and to seal the well. The second wall includes a recess configured to extend into the well to define a chamber between the first wall and the second wall. The chamber is configured to hold the corneal tissue when the second wall seals the well. A system may include the storage/delivery device above and a measurement system configured to measure the corneal tissue disposed in the well. In one example embodiment, the measurement system is an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. In another example embodiment, the measurement system is a second-harmonic generation (SHG) or third-harmonic generation (THG) microscopy system.
Device and method for vitreous humor surgery
A device and a method for the femtosecond laser surgery of tissue, especially in the vitreous humor of the eye. The device includes an ultrashort pulse laser with pulse widths in the range of approximately 10 fs-1 ps, especially approximately 300 fs, pulse energies in the range of approximately 5 nJ-5 μJ, especially approximately 1-2 μJ and pulse repetition rates of approximately 10 kHz-10 MHz, especially 500 kHz. The laser system is coupled to a scanner system which allows the spatial variation of the focus in three dimensions (x, y and z). In addition to the therapeutic laser/scanner optical system, the device includes a navigation system.
Optical surface identification for laser eye surgery
Systems and methods automatically locate optical surfaces of an eye and automatically generate surface models of the optical surfaces. A method includes OCT scanning of an eye. Returning portions of a sample beam are processed to locate a point on the optical surface and first locations on the optical surface within a first radial distance of the point. A first surface model of the optical surface is generated based on the location of the point and the first locations. Returning portions of the sample beam are processed so as to detect second locations on the optical surface beyond the first radial distance and within a second radial distance from the point. A second surface model of the optical surface is generated based on the location of the point on the optical surface and the first and second locations on the optical surface.
Near infrared illumination for surgical procedure
Systems, devices, and methods for surgical illumination and imaging of ophthalmologic structures within a human eye are disclosed. In various embodiments, an emitter, imaging sensor, and a system control image processor are configured to irradiate ophthalmologic structures with near infrared light, detect near-infrared scatter from the irradiated ophthalmologic structures and visible light in real-time and generate or otherwise cause an image to be displayed on the user display that includes the detected near-infrared scatter from the irradiated ophthalmologic structures displayed in real-time. In one or more embodiments, the image is a virtual image of the irradiated ophthalmologic structures generated at least based on near-infrared light scattering coefficients of the irradiated ophthalmologic structures. In certain embodiments, the image displayed on the user display includes the detected near-infrared scatter from the irradiated ophthalmologic structures overlaid on a real-time view from a surgical microscope.
Femtosecond laser system and methods for photorefractive keratectomy
Embodiments of this invention generally relate to ophthalmic laser procedures and, more particularly, to systems and methods for lenticular laser incision. In an embodiment, an ophthalmic surgical laser system comprises a laser delivery system for delivering a pulsed laser beam to a target in a subject's eye, an XY-scan device to deflect the pulsed laser beam, a Z-scan device to modify a depth of a focus of the pulsed laser beam, and a controller configured to form a top lenticular incision and a bottom lenticular incision of a lens in the subject's eye, or just a bottom lenticular incision.
LASIK FLAP CUTTING PATTERNS INCLUDING BUBBLE BARRIER LAYER IN SIDE CUT FOR BUBBLE MANAGEMENT
A method implemented in an ophthalmic surgical laser system for forming a corneal flap in a patient's eye with improved bubble management. The flap includes a horizontal bed and a vertical or near vertical side cut around the periphery of the bed except for an uncut hinge area. The side cut has a bubble barrier layer that can prevent bubbles formed by the laser-tissue interaction from escaping into an interface between the corneal and the patient interface lens. In some embodiments, the bubble barrier layer is a thin uncut layer, located in the epithelium of the cornea, that separates the side cut into two portions. In other embodiments, the side cut does not reach the anterior corneal surface, leaving an uncut bubble barrier layer located with the epithelium. In other embodiments, an additional side cut portion is formed through the uncut bubble barrier layer as the last step.
Methods and apparatuses for the treatment of glaucoma using visible and infrared ultrashort laser pulses
Transcorneal and fiberoptic laser delivery systems and methods for the treatment of eye diseases wherein energy is delivered by wavelengths transparent to the cornea to effect target tissues in the eye for the control of intraocular pressure in diseases such as glaucoma by delivery systems both external to and within ocular tissues. External delivery may be affected under gonioscopic control. Internal delivery may be controlled endoscopically or fiber optically, both systems utilizing femtosecond laser energy to excise ocular tissue. The femtosecond light energy is delivered to the target tissues to be treated to effect precisely controlled photodisruption to enable portals for the outflow of aqueous fluid in the case of glaucoma in a manner which minimizes target tissue healing responses, inflammation and scarring.
Non-invasive and minimally invasive laser surgery for the reduction of intraocular pressure in the eye
Intraocular pressure in an eye is reduced by delivering a high resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) beam and a high resolution laser beam through the cornea, and the anterior chamber into the irido-corneal angle along an angled beam path. The OCT beam provides OCT imaging for surgery planning and monitoring, while the laser beam is configured to modify tissue or affect ocular fluid by photo-disruptive interaction. In one implementation, a volume of ocular tissue within an outflow pathway in the irido-corneal angle is modified to create a channel opening in one or more layers of the trabecular meshwork. In another implementation, a volume of fluid in the Schlemm's canal is affected by the laser to bring about a pneumatic expansion of the canal. In either implementation, resistance to aqueous flow through the eye is reduced.
NEAR INFRARED ILLUMINATION FOR SURGICAL PROCEDURE
Systems, devices, and methods for surgical illumination and imaging of ophthalmologic structures within a human eye are disclosed. In various embodiments, an emitter, imaging sensor, and a system control image processor are configured to irradiate ophthalmologic structures with near infrared light, detect near-infrared scatter from the irradiated ophthalmologic structures and visible light in real-time and generate or otherwise cause an image to be displayed on the user display that includes the detected near-infrared scatter from the irradiated ophthalmologic structures displayed in real-time. In one or more embodiments, the image is a virtual image of the irradiated ophthalmologic structures generated at least based on near-infrared light scattering coefficients of the irradiated ophthalmologic structures. In certain embodiments, the image displayed on the user display includes the detected near-infrared scatter from the irradiated ophthalmologic structures overlaid on a real-time view from a surgical microscope.