Abstract: A surface contouring system may be provided with a topographer to measure the surface contours. The topographer may be a laser topographer that measures the surface contours using superheterodyne synthetic wavelength interferometry. The maximum vertical step size dictated by the limits of conventional laser interferometry may be increased by creating laser signals with synthetically-generated longer effective wavelengths. The topographer may perform sequential scans rapidly so that measurement feedback can be used to interactively control the shape of the surface being measured. The interferometer may use counter-rotating optical wedges to create a rotating, radially looping scan pattern that concentrates measurement density in the center portions of the target surface. Different embodiments of the topographer may be applied to diverse uses such as corneal ablation procedures, precision machining operations, and vibration analysis.

Abstract: A cannula for use in conjunction with a fluid source to irrigate a corneal surface of an eye, comprises a connector adapted to attach to the fluid source; and an elongated, hollow prong element having a proximal end supported by said connector and a distal tip opposite proximal end. The prong element includes an arcuate distal section formed in a plane along a curvature and having a fluid passageway therein that is surrounded by a sidewall with the fluid passageway being in fluid communication with the fluid source when the connector is fastened thereto. A port in the distal section of the prong extends from the fluid passageway through the sidewall whereby fluid from the fluid source may be ejected out of the port and onto the corneal surface during use.

Abstract: An optical guide dispenses laser light that is incident outside a selected region during laser eye surgery. The guide is formed as a body with a passageway of selected geometrical cross-section that defines a mininmum optical opening. The body has a material which circumferentially surrounds the passageway that is effective to dispense laser light incident thereto such that the energy thereof is dissipated to a level that will not affect eye tissue. A handle may optionally be provided to facilitate manipulation of the body. The passageway is preferably frustoconical. An optical system incorporates the optical guide and includes a mount that is to be placed in contact with the eye. The optical guide is secured to the mount, such as by cooperative rails and protrusions. A method is described to perform laser eye surgery using such optical guide and directing laser light along an optical path parallel to the central axis of the passageway.

Abstract: A method of relieving irritation to a patient's mucous membrane is provided and comprises contacting the mucous membrane with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, such as diclofenac sodium, that may be instilled as a spray of drop-wise into the nasopharynx mucosa. The same methodology can also be employed to relieve irritation of a patient's nasopharynx mucosa resulting from anesthesia by endotracheal intubation. A method of administering anesthesia in order to reduce irritation of the tracheal mucosa is also provided and comprises the steps of instilling a quantity of diclofenac sodium solution into the patient's tracheal mucosa, allowing the diclofenac sodium to operate for a selected interval of time, intubating the patient with an anesthesia delivery tube after this interval of time, and delivering a selected anesthesia to the patient.