Abstract: A system for ophthalmic surgery includes a laser source configured to deliver an ultraviolet laser beam comprising laser pulses having a wavelength between 320 nm and 370 nm to photodecompose one or more intraocular targets within the eye with chromophore absorbance. The pulse energy, the pulse duration, and the focal spot are such that an irradiance at the focal spot is sufficient to photodecompose the one or more intraocular targets without exceeding a threshold of formation of a plasma and an associated cavitation event. An optical system operatively coupled to the laser source and configured to focus the ultraviolet laser beam to a focal spot and direct the focal spot in a pattern into the one or more intraocular targets. The optical system focuses the laser beam at a numerical aperture that provides for the focal spot to be scanned over a scan range of 6 mm to 10 mm.

Abstract: A full depth ophthalmic surgical system includes a femtosecond laser source and an optical coherence tomographer. The system is capable of performing surgical procedures along the entire length of the eye from the cornea to the retina. The optical system of the ophthalmic surgical system is optimized to focus the laser beam and imaging light in the vitreous humor of the eye. In some embodiments, the illumination light source and the scanning mirrors are imaged by the system's objective lens and the patient interface lens to locations near the pupil, to increase the volume of the vitreous humor reachable by the illumination light and laser beam. For procedures performed posterior to the lens, a method for calibrating the full depth ophthalmic surgical system is also provided. The system can be used to perform treatment in the vitreous humor, including treating floaters and liquification of the vitreous humor.

Abstract: A method of treating a cataractous lens of a patient's eye includes generating a light beam, deflecting the light beam using a scanner to form a treatment pattern, delivering the treatment pattern to the lens of the patient's eye to create a plurality of cuts in the form two or more different incisions patterns within the lens to segment the lens tissue into a plurality of patterned pieces, and mechanically breaking the lens into a plurality of pieces along the cuts. A first incision pattern includes two or more crossing cut incision planes. A second incision pattern includes a plurality of laser incision each extending along a first length between a posterior and an anterior surface of the lens capsule.

Abstract: An OCT system for imaging multiple depth positions includes a light source, a sample arm and two or more reference arms. The sample arm propagates light to the object and directs object return light having a first return light beam from a first position and a second return light beam from a second position, the second return light having a dispersion level higher than the first return light beam by a dispersion difference amount. The first and second reference arms produce light beams having substantially the same dispersion as the first and second return light beams, respectively. The optical pathway combines all of the object return light and the reference light beams. An OCT detector measures the resulting interferogram. Imaging information is obtained for both the first position and the second position based on the dispersion difference amount.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an eye interface device, a scanning assembly, a beam source, a free-floating mechanism, and a detection assembly. The eye interface device interfaces with an eye. The scanning assembly supports the eye interface device and scans a focal point of an electromagnetic radiation beam within the eye. The beam source generates the electromagnetic radiation beam. The free-floating mechanism supports the scanning assembly and accommodates movement of the eye and provides a variable optical path for the electronic radiation beam and a portion of the electronic radiation beam reflected from the focal point location. The variable optical path is disposed between the beam source and the scanner and has an optical path length that varies to accommodate movement of the eye. The detection assembly generates a signal indicative of intensity of a portion of the electromagnetic radiation beam reflected from the focal point location.

Abstract: A method for laser eye surgery that accommodates patient movement includes: generating a first and a second electromagnetic radiation beam, the second beam configured to modify eye tissue; propagating the first beam to a scanner along a an optical path length that changes in response to eye movement; focusing the first beam to a first focal point within the eye; scanning the first focal point at different locations within the eye; propagating a portion of the first beam reflected from the first focal point location back along the variable optical path to a sensor; generating an intensity signal indicative of the intensity of the portion of the reflected first beam; propagating the second beam to the scanner along the variable optical path; focusing the second beam to a second focal point and scanning the second focal point to create an incision in the cornea of the eye.

Abstract: A method of treating a lens of a patient's eye includes generating a light beam, deflecting the light beam using a scanner to form a treatment pattern of the light beam, delivering the treatment pattern to the lens of a patient's eye to create a plurality of cuts in the lens in the form of the treatment pattern to break the lens up into a plurality of pieces, and removing the lens pieces from the patient's eye. The lens pieces can then be mechanically removed. The light beam can be used to create larger segmenting cuts into the lens, as well as smaller softening cuts that soften the lens for easier removal.

Abstract: Systems and methods here may be used to support a laser eye surgery device, including a base assembly mounted to an optical scanning assembly via, a horizontal x axis bearing, a horizontal y axis bearing, and a vertical z axis bearing, mounted on the base assembly, configured to limit movement of the optical scanning assembly in an x axis, y axis and z axis respectively, relative to the base assembly, a vertical z axis spring, configured to counteract the forces of gravity on the optical scanning assembly in the z axis, and, mirrors mounted on the base assembly and positioned to reflect an energy beam into the optical scanning assembly no matter where the optical scanning assembly is located on the x axis bearing, the y axis bearing and the z axis bearing.

Abstract: A method of treating a cataractous lens of a patient's eye includes generating a light beam, deflecting the light beam using a scanner to form a treatment pattern, delivering the treatment pattern to the lens of the patient's eye to create a plurality of cuts in the form two or more different incisions patterns within the lens to segment the lens tissue into a plurality of patterned pieces, and mechanically breaking the lens into a plurality of pieces along the cuts. A first incision pattern includes two or more crossing cut incision planes. A second incision pattern includes a plurality of laser incision each extending along a first length between a posterior and an anterior surface of the lens capsule.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system used to treat vitreous bodies 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. In some embodiments, 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. In other embodiments, Purkinje imaging, Scheimpflug imaging, confocal or nonlinear optical microscopy, ultrasound, stereo imaging, fluorescence imaging, or other medical imaging technique may be used.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing laser-assisted surgery on an eye form a layer of bubbles in the Berger's space of the eye to increase separation between the posterior portion of the lens capsule of the eye and the anterior hyaloid surface of the eye. A laser is used to form the layer of bubbles in the Berger's space. The increased separation between the posterior portion of the lens capsule and the anterior hyaloid surface can be used to facilitate subsequent incision of the posterior portion of the lens capsule with decreased risk of compromising the anterior hyaloid surface. For example, the layer of bubbles can be formed prior to performing a capsulotomy on the posterior portion of the lens capsule.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are configures to measure an eye without contacting the eye with a patient interface, and these measurements are used to determine alignment and placement of the incisions when the patient interface contacts the eye. The pre-contact locations of one or more structures of the eye can be used to determine corresponding post-contact locations of the one or more optical structures of the eye when the patient interface has contacted the eye, such that the laser incisions are placed at locations that promote normal vision of the eye. The incisions are positioned in relation to the pre-contact optical structures of the eye, such as an astigmatic treatment axis, nodal points of the eye, and visual axis of the eye.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system used to treat vitreous bodies 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. In some embodiments, 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. In other embodiments, Purkinje imaging, Scheimpflug imaging, confocal or nonlinear optical microscopy, ultrasound, stereo imaging, fluorescence imaging, or other medical imaging technique may be used.

Abstract: A method and surgical system including a laser source for generating a pulsed laser beam, an imaging system including a detector, shared optics configured for directing the pulsed laser beam to an object to be sampled and confocally deflecting back-reflected light from the object to the detector, a patient interface, through which the pulsed laser beam is directed, the patient interface having, a cup with a large and small opening, and a notched ring inside the cup; and a controller operatively coupled to the laser source, the imaging system and the shared optics, the controller configured to align the eye for procedure.

Abstract: A full depth ophthalmic surgical system includes a femtosecond laser source and an optical coherence tomographer. The system is capable of performing surgical procedures along the entire length of the eye from the cornea to the retina. In one embodiment, the system uses a removeable focal point extension assembly to extend the reach of the focal point location of the laser beam to the vitreous humor of the eye. In another embodiment, the optical system of the ophthalmic surgical system is optimized to focus the laser beam and imaging light in the vitreous humor of the eye. For procedures performed posterior to the lens, a method for calibrating the full depth ophthalmic surgical system uses the focal zone of the optical coherence tomographer beam as a proxy for the focal zone of the femtosecond laser source to. The system can be used to perform treatment in the vitreous humor, including treating floaters and liquification of the vitreous humor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are configures to measure an eye without contacting the eye with a patient interface, and these measurements are used to determine alignment and placement of the incisions when the patient interface contacts the eye. The pre-contact locations of one or more structures of the eye can be used to determine corresponding post-contact locations of the one or more optical structures of the eye when the patient interface has contacted the eye, such that the laser incisions are placed at locations that promote normal vision of the eye. The incisions are positioned in relation to the pre-contact optical structures of the eye, such as an astigmatic treatment axis, nodal points of the eye, and visual axis of the eye.

Abstract: A method of cataract surgery in an eye of a patient includes identifying a feature selected from the group consisting of an axis, a meridian, and a structure of an eye by corneal topography and forming fiducial mark incisions with a laser beam along the axis, meridian or structure in the cornea outside the optical zone of the eye. A laser cataract surgery system a laser source, a topography measurement system, an integrated optical subsystem, and a processor in operable communication with the laser source, corneal topography subsystem and the integrated optical system. The processor includes a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising instructions to determine one of an axis, meridian and structure of an eye of the patient based on the measurements received from topography measurement system, and direct the treatment beam so as to incise radial fiducial mark incisions.

Abstract: A method for cataract surgery on an eye of a patient includes scanning a first focus position of a first pulsed laser beam at a first pulse energy in a first scanning pattern to photodisrupt a tissue structure of a lens with a plurality of pulses of the first laser beam to form one or more cuts within the lens, the cuts being short of reaching a side edge of the lens and being configured to divide the lens into two or more segments which are attached to each other in regions adjacent the side edge of the lens; and afterwards, completely separating the two or more segments of the lens from each other by scanning a second focus position of a second pulsed laser beam having a second pulse energy higher than the first pulse energy in a second scanning pattern that is co-registered to the first scanning pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure disclose an imaging system, including an eye interface device, a scanning assembly, a beam source, a free-floating mechanism, and a detection assembly. The beam source generates an electromagnetic radiation beam. The detection assembly generates a signal indicative of an intensity of a portion of the electromagnetic radiation beam reflected from the focal point location. A subsequent focal point of the electromagnetic radiation beam may be adjusted per the measured intensity signal. In some embodiments, an intensity signal below a lower threshold value may suggest a depth increase for a subsequent focal point. An intensity signal above an upper threshold value may suggest a depth decrease for a subsequent focal point. And, an intensity signal between the lower and upper thresholds may suggest a depth be maintained for a subsequent focal point. The focal point may be adjusted after each pulse or after a plurality of pulses.

Abstract: Systems and methods here may be used to support a laser eye surgery device, including a base assembly mounted to an optical scanning assembly via, a horizontal x axis bearing, a horizontal y axis bearing, and a vertical z axis bearing, mounted on the base assembly, configured to limit movement of the optical scanning assembly in an x axis, y axis and z axis respectively, relative to the base assembly, a vertical z axis spring, configured to counteract the forces of gravity on the optical scanning assembly in the z axis, and, mirrors mounted on the base assembly and positioned to reflect an energy beam into the optical scanning assembly no matter where the optical scanning assembly is located on the x axis bearing, the y axis bearing and the z axis bearing.