Abstract: A method and system generates correlated biometric information by capturing an image of a retinal vessel pattern and simultaneously capturing an image of an iris minutia pattern. Retinal biometric data and iris biometric data are generated from the images. The retinal biometric data and the iris biometric data are then combined or linked to maintain the correlation between the two biometrics.

Abstract: The invention features improvements in PRK procedures that relate to preventing non-uniform removal of material from the corneal surface. It has been realized that photoablation by-products resulting during the PRK procedure can affect the accuracy and the predictability of the procedure. Under certain conditions, the plume of photoablation by-products that have left the corneal surface can non-uniformly redeposit onto the ablation area and thus affect the uniformity of subsequent material removal. The plume of photoablation by-products, in the space above the corneal surface, can also non-uniformly affect the escape of further photoablation products from the surface. In addition to the plume effects, it has been realized that the hydration level of the corneal tissue during the PRK procedure can vary over the ablation area and likewise non-uniformly affect the PRK procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for corneal reprofiling are disclosed in which a beam-swapping assembly is employed to redirect rays of ablative radiation passing through the assembly. Essentially, the beam-swapping assembly turns the beam profile "inside out" redirecting the inner most rays to the periphery of the beam while redirecting the outer rays at the same time to the center of the beam. The beam-swapping assembly can be used in conjunction with a beam-shaper, such as an adjustable iris or other beam-shaping device, to create convoluted annular ablation patterns of variable depth and, thereby, perform hyperopia and/or astigmatism correcting procedures.

Abstract: A method and system are described for performing photorefractive keratectomy procedure employing pulses of photoablative radiation to selectively ablate corneal tissue of a patient's eye in an ablation zone on the anterior corneal surface to produce a desired refractive correction in the corneal tissue. The method and system employ control of the effect of ocular fluid at the corneal surface so as to reduce the disturbance of such fluid on the desired ablation process while maintaining hydration of the corneal tissue.

Abstract: A drug delivery system includes a container having proximal and distal ends and a rapidly openable divider, replaceably disposed within the container to separate the container into a proximal chamber that is selectively gas impermeable and able to receive a pressurized gas and a distal chamber having an opening at a distal end thereof. A membrane is disposed between the opening in the distal chamber of the container and a biologic material, such as a patient's skin, treated with a medicament. In operation, rapid opening of the divider causes a shock wave to be generated and transmitted through the opening in the distal chamber to impinge on the membrane which transfers the shock wave to the biologic material. The system may further include a drug housing mountable in a fluid tight manner on the biologic material and an optional sealing element by which the fluid tight seal is created.

Abstract: A system is provided to position an energy delivery handpiece a desired distance from a treatment site while at the same time protecting the handpiece, and energy transmitting optical fibers, from soiling due to tissue debris. The system includes one or more energy transmissive members that are formed from a material that allows the passage of electromagnetic (e.g., laser) energy therethrough. The energy transmissive members can be removably and replaceably attachable to one end of a spacer member. An opposite end of the spacer member is mountable to the energy delivery handpiece. The energy transmissive member is effective protect the handpiece from tissue eruptions. In one embodiment the energy transmissive member also is effective to focus electromagnetic energy upon the treatment site.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating dermatological conditions with radiation includes a Peltier device for cooling the treatment area of the patient's skin. The Peltier cooling device has a cold surface in thermal communication with the treatment area and a hot surface, with an aperture extending between the cold and hot surfaces through which radiation is directed to the treatment area. In one embodiment, a lens disposed within the aperture of the cooling device distributes the cooling effect to provide substantially uniform cooling across the treatment area. A temperature sensor senses the temperature of the treatment area and is used to control the Peltier cooling device and/or the radiation source to ensure that the treatment area does not exceed a predetermined temperature. Various radiation sources are suitable for use with the Peltier cooled apparatus, including lasers and gas-discharge lamps, such as arc lamps and flash lamps.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for corneal reprofiling employing an annular beam of ablative radiation to correct refractive errors in vision, and/or create "blend zones" in order to reduce any surface discontinuities on the cornea following hyperopia-correcting or astigmatism-correcting procedures. Preferably, the methods and systems of the present invention also operate to change the intensity distribution of the light beam, such that the annulus of radiation has a varying intensity as a function of radius and, thereby, achieves a blending or other desired effect with the least number of pulses.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus as disclosed for shaping the cornea of a patient's eye such that the epithelial tissue of the patient's cornea is shaped into a preliminary shape, corresponding to a desired final stromal shape, using photoablative radiation, and then the preliminary shape of the epithelial tissue is transferred into the stromal tissue of the cornea using photoablative radiation, thereby shaping the cornea into the desired final stromal shape. The epithelium may be shaped using an erodible mask with a predefined profile of resistance to erosion, or by a graded intensity filter, or by selectively varying the dimension of an aperture that controls the area of the epithelial surface irradiated by the photoablative laser radiation or by other mechanisms that selectively expose regions of the epithelium, or by a scanning laser beam. The epithelium may also be shaped, without using an aperture or a mask, by using a beam of photoablative radiation with substantially uniform intensity distribution.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for modifying the corneal curvature by irradiating the cornea to deliver thermal energy to the stroma. The system includes multiple irradiation ports for introducing electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength suitable for absorption in the stroma; positioning means, such as a hemi-spherical dome with several tracks for positioning the irradiation ports, respectively, at locations of a preselected geometric pattern relative to the pretreated cornea, the geometric pattern being selected to correspond to a desired modified shape of the cornea; transmission means adapted to deliver controlled amounts of the radiation from a radiation source to each of the irradiation ports; and the irradiation ports, positioned at the locations of the geometric pattern, constructed to introduce the radiation to treatment volumes of the stroma in a cooperative manner to induce desired shrinkage of the collagenous stromal tissue and cause change in the corneal curvature.

Abstract: A method and system for reshaping Bowman's membrane, which lies directly below the anterior epithelial surface of the cornea, to provide correction of refractive errors in the eye by photoablation of selective regions of the Bowman's membrane without substantial penetration into the stroma of the eye is disclosed including a laser and a beam-shaping mask, disposed between the laser and the surface of the cornea, which imposes a defined ablation profile upon the Bowman's membrane by laser radiation. The system can also include a feedback control for measuring the effectiveness of the laser during operation and for controlling the laser such that the reprofiling operation is substantially confined to the Bowman's membrane throughout the procedure. The beam-shaping mask can include either an aperture e.g.

Abstract: A laser system for reprofiling a surface, such as the corneal surface of an eye, comprising a laser and a photoreactive mask disposed between the laser means and the surface for providing a predefined profile of resistance to laser radiation, such that, upon irradiation of the mask, a portion of the laser radiation is selectively absorbed and another portion is transmitted to the surface, in accordance with the mask profile, to selectively erode the surface. The mask can be connected to the support structure and disposed in optical alignment with the laser means and the surface. The mask can be directly integrated with support structure attached to the surface or spatially separated from the surface and imaged onto the surface. In one preferred embodiment, the mask includes a transparent matrix and light-absorbing dispersoids selectively distributed within the matrix, such that the dispersed elements are progressively bleached by exposure to the laser radiation.

Abstract: Aliphatic alcohols are disclosed for promoting corneal healing following injury to the eye. Such compositions ameliorate corneal discomfort, alleviate visual artifacts, and/or reduce irritation caused by the eye injury. The compositions also promote the regrowth of epithelial tissue over the corneal surface.

Abstract: Aliphatic alcohols are disclosed for the treatment of discomfort and visual artifacts following laser surgical procedures on the cornea of the eye. Such compositions reduce the inflammation associated with photorefractive keratectomy and promote the regrowth of epithelial tissue over the reprofiled corneal surface.

Abstract: Aliphatic alcohols are disclosed for the treatment of discomfort and visual artifacts following laser surgical procedures on the cornea of the eye. Such compositions reduce the inflammation associated with photorefractive keratectomy and promote the regrowth of epithelial tissue over the reprofiled corneal surface.

Abstract: A laser system for reprofiling a surface comprising a laser and an erodable mask disposed between the laser means and the surface for providing a predefined profile of resistance to erosion by laser radiation, and control for controlling the laser such that upon irradiation of the mask, a portion of the laser radiation is selectively absorbed and another portion is transmitted to the surface in accordance with the mask profile to selectively erode the surface. The mask can be connected to the support structure and disposed in optical alignment with the laser means and the cornea. The mask can be directed integrated with the support structure or, preferably, a transparent stage can be formed as part of the support structure to support and position the masking lens. In one preferred embodiment, the mask is spatially separated from the surface and imaged onto the surface, thereby permitting the use of an oversized mask, which is easier to form.

Abstract: A laser system and masking apparatus for reprofiling surfaces, such as corneal surfaces. The system includes a laser and a mask disposed between the laser and the surface to be reprofiled, the mask providing a pre-defined profile of resistance to laser radiation, such that upon irradiation, part of the radiation is selectively absorbed and part is transmitted to the surface in accordance with the masked profile, to selectively erode the surface. The masking apparatus may consist of a mask to be affixed to the surface or may further include a support structure to support and position the mask above the surface. The resistance profile can be created by varying the thickness or the composition of the mask.

Abstract: A laser therapy system having improved effectiveness in surgical use, particularly in laser angioplasty, can be formed by employing a pulsed source of radiation. The pulsed energy source is preferably an excimer laser having a coherent beam of ultraviolet radiation and preferably is employed in conjunction with a dye laser to produce an output beam which is tunable over a wide portion of the ultraviolet and visible spectrum. The output beam is coupled via a novel coupling device to an optical fiber disposed within a surgical instrument, for example, a percutaneous catheter. The operative components are sealed in a gas-tight, liquid-tight housing. An electronic controller monitors and adjusts the output energy density, duration, and pulse repetition rate. In operation, a pulsed, high energy beam of extremely short duration is available to remove atherosclerotic plague with less damage to the underlying tissue and less chance of perforating the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A laser system for reprofiling a surface (18) comprising a laser (10) and an erodible mask (14) disposed between the laser and the surface (18) for providing a predefined profile of resistance to erosion by laser radiation, and a controller (22) for controlling the laser such that upon irradiation of the mask (14), a portion of the laser radiation is selectively absorbed and another portion is transmitted to the surface in accordance with the mask profile to selectively erode the surface. The mask can further comprise a rigid structure (30) which is affixed to the surface, in particular to the sclera of an eye, and a masking lens (36) connected to the support structure and disposed above the cornea. The masking lens can be directed integrated with the support structure or, preferably, a transparent stage (34) can be formed as part of the support structure to support and position the masking lens.

Abstract: A laser system is disclosed in which the laser medium is operated at high pressures, for example, at pressures of about 3 atmospheres or above, to yield high performance. High pressure operation is achieved by employing a two or more stage containment system. In one preferred embodiment, a first containment system, housing high voltage components, can be pressurized to about 2 atmospheres or more with a high dielectric constant gas to permit low inductance circuitry. The laser head assembly is encased within a second containment vessel and further pressurized to about 3 atmospheres or more. The laser head assembly can also include a flow nozzle and ventilated electrodes to reduce stagnant pockets and eddy currents in the circulating laser medium.