Abstract: A system for evaluating a donor cornea includes a light source for generating a beam having a predetermined characteristic and a selected configuration. The light beam characteristic can be collimated light (wavefront analysis), white light (spectral analysis), or polarized light (polarization analysis). The beam configuration can be either circular in cross-section, or it can be a slit. When circular, the light beam is transmitted through the entire cornea to identify changes in the characteristics of the light (e.g. phase shift, spectral shift, or polarization changes). These changes then determine the optical properties of the donor cornea. When configured as a slit, the light is scattered off-axis and used to measure dimensions for a profile of the donor cornea. A computer then prepares an evaluation which includes information on both the optical qualities and the dimensional profile of the donor specimen.

Abstract: A device for imaging a wavefront to determine the optical properties of an eye includes a light source for directing an input light beam into the eye. Corrective optics focus this input beam onto a substantially circular area on the retina for reflection back through the eye as a return light beam from a point source. A shearing plate is used to introduce a phase disturbance into the return light beam and it includes at least one pattern that is positioned to determine phase shifts from the phase disturbance that was introduced into the return light beam. A computer is then used to create the wavefront image from these phase shifts.

Abstract: A sample cell for imaging a tissue sample includes a base member formed with a pedestal and a base window. A retainer ring is engaged with the pedestal to retain the tissue sample on the pedestal. A housing with a housing window is engageable with the base member to create a fluid chamber and establish an optical path extending through the base window, tissue sample, retainer ring and housing window. A light source directs a first light beam along the optical path to illuminate the tissue sample. Also, an optical detector outside the housing window receives the first light beam after it has be transmitted through the tissue sample. Additionally, the housing has a side window distanced from the optical path and oriented at an angle, &agr;. A second light beam configured as a slit having a length that extends across the breadth of the tissue sample and a width that is approximately equal to the depth of the tissue sample can separately illuminate the tissue sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a surgical procedure on a patient is described. An incision is made into tissue of the patient to create a tissue pocket. The tissue has an anterior surface. Preferably, the tissue is corneal tissue of an eye. A reflective element is inserted into the pocket. An energy source generates a radiant energy signal, which is directed toward the reflective element. Reflected energy is received from the reflective element. A detector determines the depth of the reflective element below the anterior surface based upon the energy reflected by the reflective element. The speed of transmission of the radiant energy in the reflective element is different (preferably slower) than the speed of transmission of the radiant energy in the tissue. The reflective element may be in the form of a tool on which is disposed a biocompatible polymer layer, the layer comprising trapped air spaces, or a tool having an open space for containing trapped air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a surgical procedure on a patient is described. An incision is made into tissue of the patient to create a tissue pocket. The tissue has an anterior surface. Preferably, the tissue is corneal tissue of an eye. A reflective element is inserted into the pocket. An energy source generates a radiant energy signal, which is directed toward the reflective element. Reflected energy is received from the reflective element. A detector determines the depth of the reflective element below the anterior surface based upon the energy reflected by the reflective element. The speed of transmission of the radiant energy in the reflective element is different (preferably slower) than the speed of transmission of the radiant energy in the tissue. The reflective element may be in the form of a tool on which is disposed a biocompatible polymer layer, the layer comprising trapped air spaces, or a tool having an open space for containing trapped air.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for the quick and accurate determination of surface profile and depth reading within little or no mechanical motion is presented comprising a polychromatic light source; a means for focusing the light onto a point of sample target, said means having a known amount of longitudinal chromatic aberration; and a means for detecting the wavelengths of light reflected from the sample target. The light projected onto the sample target is focused according to wavelength due to the longitudinal chromatic aberration. While light from across the spectrum will be reflected, the light returning from the sample target will be most strongly reflected in a wavelength that is focused on a reflective point in the sample. The means for detecting the light in the present invention passes through a substantially pinhole aperture before the light is detected according to wavelength. The purpose of the pinhole aperture is resolution.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for mapping the surface of an object, in particular, a transparent object such as anterior and posterior surfaces of a patient's cornea, in a clinically useful time using a single optical system. In a preferred embodiment, a pattern generator projects a pattern of light and dark areas onto a patient's cornea, and a light detector receives patterns reflected from the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea. A mapping means generates a three-dimensional map of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces from information regarding the projected and detected light patterns. The invention can be used to map other transparent objects such as a contact lens or an intraocular device, e.g., an intrastromal ring. The invention can also be used to map the surface of an opaque object.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for mapping the surface of an object, in particular, a transparent object such as anterior and posterior surfaces of a patient's cornea, in a clinically useful time using a single optical system. In a preferred embodiment, a pattern generator projects a pattern of light and dark areas onto a patient's cornea, and a light detector receives patterns reflected from the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea. A mapping means generates a three-dimensional map of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces from information regarding the projected and detected light patterns. The invention can be used to map other transparent objects such as a contact lens or an intraocular device, e.g., an intrastromal ring. The invention can also be used to map the surface of an opaque object.