Oscillator with mode control

An oscillator for isolating a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) zero-zero mode pulsed laser beam includes a laser pumping diode that is mounted on a base to induce a multi-mode laser beam from a lasing medium. As initially induced, the multi-mode laser beam is directed along a path and is characterized by a beating signal which has a frequency that is based on amplitude variations of laser pulses in the multi-mode laser beam. Electronics detect this beating signal and generates a responsive error signal. With closed loop control, the error signal is used to advance a straightedge toward the path of the multi-mode laser beam to remove transverse modes from the multi-mode laser beam with the straightedge. This advancement continues until the error signal is a null and the zero-zero mode pulsed laser beam is thereby isolated.

Ocular Fixation And Stabilization Device For Ophthalmic Surgical Applications

An interface for coupling an eye to a surgical laser is disclosed. A lens cone includes a base ring opposite an apex ring. The base ring defines a first plane and is adapted to couple to the delivery tip of the laser such that the first plane has a predetermined position relative to the delivery tip. An applanation lens is affixed to the apex ring and has a surface disposed in a second plane such that the second plane is parallel to and has a predetermined position relative to the first plane. A gripper is engagable with the lens cone. An attachment ring is affixed to the gripper and is adapted to couple to the anterior surface of the eye. When the lens cone and gripper are engaged, the applanation lens contacts the anterior surface of the eye, placing the anterior surface in spatial registration with the delivery tip.

Adaptive pattern correction for laser scanners

A system for adaptive laser scanning correction includes a laser scanner coupled to a controller. The controller develops control signals for the laser scanner for a directed scan pattern that is modified to compensate for a characteristic scan-pattern distortion introduced by the laser scanner. The laser scanner responds to the control signals to provide an actual scan pattern approaching a target scan-pattern shape. The system may be useful for ophthalmologic laser surgery and other applications requiring precise control over scan pattern shape and a high scanning speed.

Disposable contact lens for use with an ophthalmic laser system

A device for use in laser ophthalmic surgery includes a laser system, a disposable contact lens and an adjustable retainer ring for mounting the contact lens on the laser system. In order to properly align the disposable contact lens to the laser system, reference marks on the contact lens are brought into coincidence with predetermined focal points along the laser beam paths. To this end, the laser system successively directs a laser beam along at least three predetermined paths to respective predetermined focal points, and the contact lens is positioned across these predetermined paths. Along each predetermined path, the laser beam is activated to establish a series of laser marks on the contact lens. If the laser marks, predetermined focal points and reference marks are all coincident, then the contact lens is properly aligned with the laser system. If there is any displacement between any laser mark and reference mark, however, the retainer ring is adjusted to align all reference marks ...

Ocular fixation and stabilization device for ophthalmic surgical applications

A disposable stabilization and applanation device for reconfiguring the cornea of an eye for ophthalmic laser surgery, includes an applanation lens that is disposed in a particular spatial position with respect to an incident laser beam. The applanation lens is inserted into the central opening of an attachment ring and applanates the eye in response to pressure from a lens cone. The attachment ring is coupled to the eye and includes a skirt which surrounds the applanation lens and extends outwardly therefrom to define a chamber. The skirt is formed with a groove which defines a suction channel between the attachment ring skirt and the corneal surface of an eye. A vacuum source is connected and fluid communication with the suction channel and is selectively activated to create a partial vacuum in the channel.

Closed-loop focal positioning system and method

A closed-loop focusing system and method positions a focusing assembly to a desired positioned. A feedback positioning device, such as a linear encoder, provides an actual or “read” value for the linear movement of the focusing assembly. The desired position is compared to the actual position of the focusing assembly. If the two values are outside of a predetermined tolerance or valid range, then an audible or visual warning will be given. Furthermore, when a laser source is utilized with the focusing system, then laser operation will be prevented where the two values are outside of tolerance.

Device and method for removing gas and debris during the photodisruption of stromal tissue

A device for removing gas and debris from the stroma of an eye during ophthalmic laser surgery includes a contact lens that is formed with a recessed chamber. The device also includes a suction pump that is connected in fluid communication with the recessed chamber. In operation, the stroma is stabilized in the recessed chamber of the contact lens and an opening into the stroma is created. This opening is created either by the laser beam, or by a probe that is mounted on the contact lens to penetrate the stroma while the stroma is stabilized in the recessed chamber of the contact lens. Then, simultaneously or subsequently, as a laser beam is directed through the contact lens to photodisrupt tissue in the stroma the suction pump is activated to aspirate the resultant gas and debris through the opening and out of the stroma.

Device and method for reducing corneal induced aberrations during ophthalmic laser surgery

A disposable lens for reconfiguring the cornea of an eye for ophthalmic laser surgery includes a lens which has a flat anterior surface that is formed opposite a contact surface. A skirt surrounds the contact surface and extends outwardly therefrom to define a chamber. The skirt is formed with a groove which creates a suction channel between the skirt and the contact surface in the chamber. In its operation, the lens is positioned over the cornea and a vacuum pump is selectively activated to create a partial vacuum in the suction channel. Due to this partial vacuum, the cornea is drawn into the chamber where it is urged against the contact surface of the lens. The result of this is that the cornea is flattened into a configuration where the introduction of spherical aberration and coma into a light beam passing into the cornea is reduced or eliminated.

System and method for scanning a pulsed laser beam

Systems and methods of photoaltering a region of a material using a pulsed laser beam. The method includes scanning the pulsed laser beam in a first portion of the region with a first pattern, scanning the pulsed laser beam in a second portion of the region with a second pattern, and separating a flap of the material at the region. The system includes a laser, a controller selecting at least first and second patterns, and a scanner operable in response to the controller. The first pattern has a first maximum acceleration associated with the second portion, and the second pattern has a second maximum acceleration associated with the second portion. The second maximum acceleration is less than the first maximum acceleration. The scanner scans the pulsed laser beam from the laser in the first portion with the first pattern and in the second portion with the second pattern.

Method and apparatus for oscillator start-up control for mode-locked laser

The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for oscillator start-up control, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for overdriving a laser to obtain mode-lock operation. The oscillator with start-up control has a lasing medium mounted on a base. A laser pumping source is mounted on the base for inducing a laser beam from the lasing medium. A mode-lock detection device is mounted about the base. An overdrive circuit is coupled with the mode-lock detection and signal processing device for determining mode-lock status of the oscillator. The overdrive circuit overdrives the pump source when the oscillator is not in mode-lock status.

System and method for improving material processing using a laser beam

利用激光束提高材料处理的方法和系统。本方法和系统可以多种优先的形式导引材料表面、材料上或材料下部的激光束，并且利用与材料相应的激光脉冲特性在以下所列的地方减少或减轻气体、残片、流体或其他光破裂副产品的累积或效果。这些地方分别是多余脉冲的集中地或材料的敏感区。

Method for preparing apparatus for custom corneal corrections

A method for preparing an apparatus for customizing corneal corrections comprising superposing a reference field (grid) on the anterior surface of the cornea of an eye to divide the corneal surface into reference areas. Said reference areas are typically suitable for corresponding with a refractive power map of the cornea and preferably for directing an incising laser beam through an individual reference area to a focal spot, selectively moving the focal spot along the laser beam path to photoalter a predetermined volume of stromal tissue and redirecting the beam and moving the focal spot through another said reference area until the required corneal correction is achieved.

System and method for improved material processing using a laser beam

SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED MATERIAL PROCESSING WITH A LASER BEAM

System and method for resecting corneal tissue using non-continuous initial incisions

A system and method for resecting corneal tissue is disclosed. A resection pattern is selected for resecting corneal tissue. The resection pattern is incised in a cornea using a surgical laser, leaving one or more uncut gaps in the incised resection pattern. Any uncut gaps left in the resection pattern may thereafter be incised using an alternate surgical instrument.

Device and method for removing gas and debris during the photodisruption of stromal tissue

A device for removing gas and debris from the stroma of an eye during ophthalmic laser surgery includes a contact lens that is formed with a recessed chamber. The device also includes a suction pump that is connected in fluid communication with the recessed chamber. In operation, the stroma is stabilized in the recessed chamber of the contact lens and an opening into the stroma is created. This opening is created either by the laser beam, or by a probe that is mounted on the contact lens to penetrate the stroma while the stroma is stabilized in the recessed chamber of the contact lens. Then, simultaneously or subsequently, as a laser beam is directed through the contact lens to photodisrupt tissue in the stroma the suction pump is activated to aspirate the resultant gas and debris through the opening and out of the stroma.

IMPROVED MATERIAL PROCESSING SYSTEM USING A LASER RAY.

Un sistema basado en ordenador para dirigir un rayo láser (12) a una córnea (18) para crear un área reseccionada de tejido corneano, comprendiendo el sistema: un dispositivo de control de entrada; una memoria para almacenar información recibida desde dicho dispositivo de control de entrada; una unidad procesadora acoplada al dispositivo de control de entrada y a la memoria para procesar la información; una pantalla de salida para mostrar la información; una fuente láser para generar un rayo láser (12); un mecanismo de enfoque acoplado electromecánicamente a la unidad procesadora, y un ordenador que lee el medio almacenado que lleva un programa de software que puede hacerse funcionar mediante la unidad procesadora para controlar dicha fuente de láser y sistema de enfoque, estando configurado dicho programa de software para realizar las etapas de: proporcionar una selección para crear un patrón de corte secundario configurado como depósito (62, 71) o una conexión con un depósito existente en el tejido corneano; situar un punto focal del rayo láser y fotoalterar el tejido corneano para crear el patrón de corte secundario; proporcionar una selección para crear un patrón de corte primario (60, 70) que configura una capa del tejido corneano reseccionado (36); situar un punto focal del rayo láser en un punto de partida (42) en las proximidades de una circunferencia predeterminada (43) del área de tejido corneano a reseccionar y fotoalterar el tejido corneano en dicho punto de partida (42), con lo que el patrón de corte de primario (60, 70) se corta en el tejido corneano para formar una superficie interna (35, 38), en la que el patrón de corte secundario creado anteriormente se sitúa adyacente o periférico al patrón de corte primario (60, 70) para acumular gas, deshechos u otros subproductos creados durante la creación del patrón de corte primario (60, 70); y mover el punto focal del rayo láser desde el punto de partida (42) a lo largo de una trayectoria predeterminada y ...

System for ophthalmic laser surgery

Method of corneal surgery by laser incising a contoured corneal flap

A method of corneal laser surgery is disclosed. A first periphery is defined at an anterior surface of the cornea. This first periphery bounds a first planar area. A second periphery is defined within stromal tissue of the cornea. This second periphery bounds a second planar area. The second planar area is sized differently than the first planar area. A layer of stromal tissue which is bounded by the second periphery is subsequently incised. Stromal tissue between substantial portions of the first periphery and the second periphery is also incised, such that at least some corneal tissue disposed between the first and second peripheries remains connected to corneal tissue outside of the first and second peripheries.

A method of corneal surgery by laser incising a contoured corneal flap

In accordance with the present invention, a method for corneal laser surgery includes the step of first prescribing the size, shape and location of a lentoid of stromal tissue to be removed in order to correct the vision of a patient. Next, a contoured corneal flap having an interior surface and peripheral edge is created wherein the interior surface of the flap is shaped to conform to the prescribed anterior surface of the lentoid. To create the flap, the focal point of a pulsed laser beam is moved within the intrastromal tissue to photoalter a layer of tissue in the shape of the interior surface and the peripheral edge of the flap. Once created, the flap can be lifted to expose a bed of intrastromal tissue. Then, an excimer laser can be used to photoalter the bed of intrastromal tissue in a predetermined manner, thus creating a void in the shape of the prescribed lentoid. Finally, the flap can be repositioned over the lentoid shaped void and allowed to heal. The result is a reshaped cornea that effectively corrects a patient's vision impairment.

System für die verbesserte materialverarbeitung mit einem laserstrahl

Method for scanning a pulsed laser beam

Methods of photoaltering a region of a material using a pulsed laser beam. The method includes scanning the pulsed laser beam in a first portion of the region with a first pattern, scanning the pulsed laser beam in a second portion of the region with a second pattern, and separating a flap of the material at the region. The system includes a laser, a controller selecting at least first and second patterns, and a scanner operable in response to the controller. The first pattern has a first maximum acceleration associated with the second portion, and the second pattern has a second maximum acceleration associated with the second portion. The second maximum acceleration is less than the first maximum acceleration. The scanner scans the pulsed laser beam from the laser in the first portion with the first pattern and in the second portion with the second pattern.

Device and method for reducing corneal induced aberrations during ophthalmic laser surgery

A disposable lens for reconfiguring the cornea of an eye for ophthalmic laser surgery includes a lens (12) which has a flat anterior surface (24) that is formed opposite a contact surface (26). A skirt (28) surrounds the contact surface and extends outwardly therefrom to define a chamber. The skirt is formed with a groove which creates a suction channel (34) between the skirt and the contact surface in the chamber. In its operation, the lens is positioned over the cornea and a vacuum pump is selectively activated to create a partial vacuum in the suction channel. Due to this partial vacuum, the cornea is drawn into the chamber where it is urged against the contact surface of the lens. The result of this is that the cornea is flattened into a configuration where the introduction of spherical aberration and coma into a light beam passing into the cornea is reduced or eliminated.

Vorrichtung zum Aplanatisieren der Hornhaut

Device and method for reducing corneal induced aberrations during ophthalmic laser surgery

A disposable lens for reconfiguring the cornea of an eye for ophthalmic laser surgery includes a lens (12) which has a flat anterior surface (24) that is formed opposite a contact surface (26). A skirt (28) surrounds the contact surface and extends outwardly therefrom to define a chamber. The skirt is formed with a groove which creates a suction channel (34) between the skirt and the contact surface in the chamber. In its operation, the lens is positioned over the cornea and a vacuum pump is selectively activated to create a partial vacuum in the suction channel. Due to this partial vacuum, the cornea is drawn into the chamber where it is urged against the contact surface of the lens. The result of this is that the cornea is flattened into a configuration where the introduction of spherical aberration and coma into a light beam passing into the cornea is reduced or eliminated.

Method and system for determining the position and alignment of a surface of an object in relation to a laser beam

The present invention generally relates to a method and system for determining the position and alignment of a plane in relation to an intersecting axis and using that known position and alignment to allow for corrections to be made when using the plane as a reference plane. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system for determining the angle of tilt of a planar surface in relation to a laser beam, and using the determined angle of tilt to calculate a correction factor to be applied to the laser beam. Briefly stated, the method and system ultimately calculates a correction factor, z-offset, that is applied when using the laser beam in a procedure.

Method and system for determining the position and alignment of a surface of an object in relation to a laser beam

The present invention generally relates to a method and system for determining the position and alignment of a plane in relation to an intersecting axis and using that known position and alignment to allow for corrections to be made when using the plane as a reference plane. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system for determining the angle of tilt of a planar surface in relation to a laser beam, and using the determined angle of tilt to calculate a correction factor to be applied to the laser beam. Briefly stated, the method and system ultimately calculates a correction factor, z-offset, that is applied when using the laser beam in a procedure.

利用激光束提高材料处理的系统

利用激光束提高材料处理的方法和系统。本方法和系统可以多种优先的形式导引材料表面、材料上或材料下部的激光束，并且利用与材料相应的激光脉冲特性在以下所列的地方减少或减轻气体、残片、流体或其他光破裂副产品的累积或效果。这些地方分别是多余脉冲的集中地或材料的敏感区。

改进的扁平透镜

这项发明涉及用于适合眼睛激光外科手术的接口装置的改进的扁平透镜(18)，更具体地说，涉及由与角膜(34a)生物兼容而且在眼睛外科手术期间不变色和/或相对于它透射通过激光束产生的光能的能力具有减少的透射率的材料制成的扁平透镜(18)。该扁平透镜(18)是有为接触眼睛(34)和在施加压力时使眼睛(34)的前表面扁平或变平而配置的没有像差(球面像差和彗差两者)的扁平表面的透镜。