Abstract: A system and method are provided for fragmenting a crystalline lens, to facilitate its removal from the lens bag during an ophthalmic laser surgery. First, a predetermined pattern is used to make Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) cuts that section the lens into asymmetrical, operational segments. At least one operational segment is then selected and softened with a plurality of compact LIOB cuts. Once softened, the selected segment is aspirated. The remaining operational segments are then subsequently removed. During a procedure, an imaging unit can monitor movements of the lens bag to ensure proper placement of the LIOB cuts on the lens.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a femto-fragmentation procedure on tissue in the crystalline lens of an eye requires that a laser beam be directed and focused to a focal point in the crystalline lens of the eye. The focal point is then guided, relative to an axis defined by the eye, to create a segment cluster by causing Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) of tissue in the crystalline lens. The resultant segment cluster includes a plurality of contiguous, elongated segments in the crystalline lens that are individually tapered from an anterior end-area to a posterior end-area. Specifically, this is done to facilitate the removal of individual segments from the segment cluster in the crystalline lens.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a femto-fragmentation procedure on tissue in the crystalline lens of an eye requires that a laser beam be directed and focused to a focal point in the crystalline lens of the eye. The focal point is then guided, relative to an axis defined by the eye, to create a segment cluster by causing Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) of tissue in the crystalline lens. The resultant segment cluster includes a plurality of contiguous, elongated segments in the crystalline lens that are individually tapered from an anterior end-area to a posterior end-area, Specifically, this is done to facilitate the removal of individual segments from the segment cluster in the crystalline lens.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a femto-fragmentation procedure on tissue in the crystalline lens of an eye requires that a laser beam be directed and focused to a focal point in the crystalline lens of the eye. The focal point is then guided, relative to an axis defined by the eye, to create a segment cluster by causing Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) of tissue in the crystalline lens. The resultant segment cluster includes a plurality of contiguous, elongated segments in the crystalline lens that are individually tapered from an anterior end-area to a posterior end-area. Specifically, this is done to facilitate the removal of individual segments from the segment cluster in the crystalline lens.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for performing ocular laser surgery using a patient interface having a posterior contact surface that may include surface irregularities that were generated during manufacturing of the patient interface. A beam delivery system having a focusing lens, scanning subsystem and adaptive optic (e.g. deformable mirror) is provided for guiding the surgical laser beam through the patient interface and to a desired focal spot location. An optical detector generates image data representing the posterior patient interface surface which is then processed by a computer system to identify surface irregularities by comparing the image data to a reference surface or axis. In particular, a surface irregularity can be identified as having a z-axis component; a tilt component and a surface profile component. Each irregularity component can be compensated separately by sending an adjustment signal to one of the beam delivery system components.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are provided for controlling postoperative shrinkage of the capsular bag, after the lens has been removed from the capsular bag. The purpose is to establish a proper optical alignment for a prosthetic Intraocular Lens (IOL). Included in the system are a laser unit for generating a laser beam, a detector for creating an image of the prosthetic IOL in the capsular bag, and a computer for evaluating the image to determine an alignment difference between the IOL axis and a defined axis of the eye. The computer is also used for guiding the laser beam to alter selected tissue in the eye, to thereby influence postoperative shrinkage of the capsular bag and minimize any potential alignment difference between the IOL axis and the defined axis of the eye during capsular bag shrinkage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, an algorithm and a method for providing a laser shot file for use in a laser. The laser may be an excimer laser. The shot file may be applied for performing a refractive laser treatment of an eye or for producing a customized contact lens or an intraocular lens. According to the invention information with respect to a desired ablation profile is provided and a first series of laser shot positions is calculated based on the desired ablation profile. A simulated ablation profile is generated using said first series of laser shot positions and using information about pulse characteristics of a single laser shot. The simulated ablation profile is compared with the desired ablation profile and residual structures are determined.

Abstract: An ophthalmic instrument for use with a subject's eye, comprising an interferometer having a test arm in which the subject's eye is to be positioned and a reference arm, the reference arm including a mirror adapted to be positioned such that the reference arm has a predetermined length, and an ophthalmic apparatus coupled to the interferometer such that, by altering a test arm length, a length between the ophthalmic apparatus and the eye is also altered. The mirror is positioned to achieve the predetermined length and a length of the test arm is adjusted such that interference between the light reflected from the eye and the light reflected from the mirror is achieved, the ophthalmic apparatus is optically aligned with the eye.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for performing ocular laser surgery using a patient interface having a posterior contact surface that may include surface irregularities that were generated during manufacturing of the patient interface. A beam delivery system having a focusing lens, scanning subsystem and adaptive optic (e.g. deformable mirror) is provided for guiding the surgical laser beam through the patient interface and to a desired focal spot location. An optical detector generates image data representing the posterior patient interface surface which is then processed by a computer system to identify surface irregularities by comparing the image data to a reference surface or axis. In particular, a surface irregularity can be identified as having a z-axis component; a tilt component and a surface profile component. Each irregularity component can be compensated separately by sending an adjustment signal to one of the beam delivery system components.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for extrapolating diagnostic data relating to one pupil diameter to another pupil diameter. Embodiments according to the invention are more particularly directed to extrapolating wavefront aberration data, for example, in the form of Zernike polynomial data, obtained from a smaller pupil diameter, d1, to a larger pupil diameter, d2. Data relating to the first pupil diameter d1 may be obtained in a diagnostic procedure. In the extrapolation, a conversion matrix M is utilized. The conversion matrix M can be generated from a static matrix and a dynamic matrix, the latter taking the pupil diameter d1 into consideration. Data relating the first pupil diameter d1 and wavefront aberration data can be ordered via a permutation matrix P. If necessary, Extrapolated data can be re-ordered via a transposed permutation matrix PT.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a femto-fragmentation procedure on tissue in the crystalline lens of an eye requires that a laser beam be directed and focused to a focal point in the crystalline lens of the eye. The focal point is then guided, relative to an axis defined by the eye, to create a segment cluster by causing Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) of tissue in the crystalline lens. The resultant segment cluster includes a plurality of contiguous, elongated segments in the crystalline lens that are individually tapered from an anterior end-area to a posterior end-area. Specifically, this is done to facilitate the removal of individual segments from the segment cluster in the crystalline lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for calculating a course of refractive treatment for correcting a refractive error of a patient's eye. It is based on the concept to combine at least a first treatment which provides an overcorrection of the intended correction with at least a second treatment which corrects said overcorrection.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to the field of image processing, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus for determining a wavefront of an object, in particular a human eye. The invention discloses a method and an apparatus for real-time wavefront sensing of an optical system utilizing two different algorithms for detecting centroids of a centroid image as provided by a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor. A first algorithm detects an initial position of all centroids and a second algorithm detects incremental changes of all centroids detected by said first algorithm.

Abstract: A system and method are provided in which an iris or eye image is taken during a refractive diagnostic analysis. The image is employed for aligning data from the analysis with data from other refractive analysis instruments, as well as aligning a refractive surgical tool, such as a laser, with the eye for treatment. Further, the stored iris image is compared with the patient's iris before treatment, verifying that the correct eye is to be treated with a developed treatment pattern. A variety of refractive instruments can be used, such as corneal topography systems and wavefront aberration systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for providing data for vision correction utilizing a volumetric ablation and an intrastromal manipulation. The provided data may be used by a laser ablating the surface of the cornea in combination with a laser which operates intrastromal to optimize a corneal re-shaping procedure. One aspects of the invention relates to the minimization of the amount of corneal tissue to be removed.

Abstract: The system according to the present invention is used to create an ablation such that the surface of the cornea comprises a central region having a convex central steepening with a first radius of curvature and a surrounding region having a convex shape with a second radius of curvature, wherein the first radius of curvature is smaller than the second radius of curvature for performing a presbyopic correction. The ablation depth in the central region varies between a minimum ablation depth in the center and a maximum ablation depth at the border of the central region. The ablation depth in the surrounding region is the same as the maximum ablation depth at the border of the central region.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are provided for controlling postoperative shrinkage of the capsular bag, after the lens has been removed from the capsular bag. The purpose is to establish a proper optical alignment for a prosthetic Intraocular Lens (IOL). Included in the system are a laser unit for generating a laser beam, a detector for creating an image of the prosthetic IOL in the capsular bag, and a computer for evaluating the image to determine an alignment difference between the IOL axis and a defined axis of the eye. The computer is also used for guiding the laser beam to alter selected tissue in the eye, to thereby influence postoperative shrinkage of the capsular bag and minimize any potential alignment difference between the IOL axis and the defined axis of the eye during capsular bag shrinkage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for determining the applicability of a treatment pattern for manipulation of a cornea of an eye using a laser. The concept of the present invention is based on the determination of an actual volumetric profile based on a set of input data and a theoretical volumetric profile which is created independently based on only the basic optical parameters. On the basis of a comparison of the determined volumetric profiles it is determined whether the actual volumetric profile is within predetermined tolerances.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for determining the energy of a laser. In particular, the invention relates to an initial determination of a laser energy and the monitoring of the laser energy preferably of an excimer laser for use in a refractive laser system for treatment of any eye. An apparatus for determining an energy of an excimer laser comprises a tool comprising an area being ablated with a plurality of laser pulses of said excimer laser using at least one predetermined multi spot ablation pattern, said ablation area comprising a specific ablation area being as large as the ablation area or smaller, an image capturing means for capturing at least one image comprising at least said specific ablation area of the tool; an analyzing means for analyzing said at least one image, wherein the size of the specific ablation area provides a measure of the energy of the excimer laser.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for fragmenting a crystalline lens, to facilitate its removal from the lens bag during an ophthalmic laser surgery. First, a predetermined pattern is used to make Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) cuts that section the lens into asymmetrical, operational segments. At least one operational segment is then selected and softened with a plurality of compact LIOB cuts. Once softened, the selected segment is aspirated. The remaining operational segments are then subsequently removed. During a procedure, an imaging unit can monitor movements of the lens bag to ensure proper placement of the LIOB cuts on the lens.