Abstract: An imaging-based laser system can include a laser-beam system, configured to generate and scan a beam of laser pulses with an adjustable laser-power parameter to points of a scan-pattern in an eye, and an imaging-based laser-controller, configured to image a layer in the eye, to control the scanning of the beam of laser pulses to the points of the scan-pattern, and to control a laser-power parameter of the laser pulses according to the distance of the points of the scan-pattern from the imaged layer.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a target region; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the target region; and a OCT imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the SS-OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.

Abstract: A cataract surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a target region in an eye; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the target region; and an Optical Coherence Tomographic (OCT) imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.

Abstract: An imaging-based laser system can include a laser-beam system, configured to generate and scan a beam of laser pulses with an adjustable laser-power parameter to points of a scan-pattern in an eye, and an imaging-based laser-controller, configured to image a layer in the eye, to control the scanning of the beam of laser pulses to the points of the scan-pattern, and to control a laser-power parameter of the laser pulses according to the distance of the points of the scan-pattern from the imaged layer.

Abstract: An electronically controlled fixation light system is described for ophthalmic systems. The ophthalmic system can include an ophthalmic imaging device that generates an image of a portion of an imaged eye, a fixation light controller that includes an input module, configured to receive an input in relation to the image generated by the ophthalmic imaging device, and a control signal generator that generates an electronic fixation light control signal in response to the received input, and a fixation light source, configured to receive the fixation light control signal, and to generate a fixation light according to the received fixation light control signal. A surgeon can image a portion of an eye with the imaging device, determine a misalignment of the imaged eye relative to the imaging device based on the image, and control the fixation light with an electronic control signal to reduce the determined misalignment.

Abstract: Apparatus, techniques and systems are provided for interfacing with an eye in laser surgery.

Abstract: An eye-surgical laser system includes a laser source, to generate a laser beam, an XY scanner, to scan a focal spot of a received laser beam in an XY direction essentially transverse to an optical axis of the laser system, and a lens group, disposed in the optical path between the laser source and the XY scanner, to receive the laser beam generated by the laser source, to precompensate an aberration of the laser beam, and to forward the precompensated laser beam to the XY scanner, the lens group having a movable lens, movable in a Z direction along an optical axis.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for laser surgery based on imaging a target tissue by nonlinear scanning are presented. In one implementation, a method for guiding an eye surgery can include the steps of: positioning an eye in relation to an imaging system; creating first scan data by determining a depth of an eye target region at a first set of points along a first arc; creating second scan data by determining a depth of the eye target region at a second set of points along a second arc; determining target region parameters based on the first and second scan data; and adjusting one or more surgical position parameters according to the determined target region parameters.

Abstract: A cataract surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a cataract target region in an eye; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the cataract target region; and a Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomographic (SS-OCT) imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the SS-OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of treating a hard lens region of an eye with a laser where one method includes identifying a boundary of the hard lens region, selecting a laser-parameter to enable a photodisruptive procedure in the hard lens region and to control a spreading of bubbles in the hard lens region, modifying a mechanical property of a posterior portion of the hard lens region in a proximity of the identified boundary by the photodisruptive procedure, and modifying a mechanical property of a portion anterior to the modified posterior portion of the hard lens region by the photodisruptive procedure. The laser bubbles can be applied to form incisions which are non transverse to an axis of the eye and intersect the lens fibers.

Abstract: A cataract surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a cataract target region in an eye; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the cataract target region; and a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic (SD-OCT) imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the SD-OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.

Abstract: A method of photodisruptive laser surgery includes selecting a target region of a tissue for fragmentation, directing a beam of laser pulses to the selected target region of the tissue, and forming cells in the target region of the tissue by directing the laser beam to generate cell boundaries. The cells can be arranged in regular or irregular arrays. The cells can be generated in parallel or successively, with cell sizes and laser parameters which reduce the time of ophthalmic surgery considerably.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for laser surgery including imaging-guided surgery techniques, apparatus and systems.

Abstract: Designs and techniques for constructing and operating femtosecond pulse lasers are provided. One example of a laser engine includes an oscillator that generates and outputs a beam of femtosecond seed pulses, a stretcher-compressor that stretches a duration of the seed pulses, and an amplifier that receives the stretched seed pulses, amplifies an amplitude of selected stretched seed pulses to create amplified stretched pulses, and outputs a laser beam of amplified stretched pulses back to the stretcher-compressor that compresses their duration and outputs a laser beam of femtosecond pulses. The amplifier includes a dispersion controller that compensates a dispersion of the amplified stretched pulses, making the repetition rate of the laser adjustable between procedures or according to the speed of scanning. The laser engine can be compact with a total optical path of less than 500 meters, and have a low number of optical elements, e.g. less than 50.

Abstract: A patient interface for an ophthalmic system can include an attachment module, attachable to the ophthalmic system, and a contact module, configured to accommodate a viscoelastic substance between the patient interface and a procedure eye. The viscoelastic substance can include a fluid, a liquid, a gel, a cream, an artificial tear, a film, an elastic material, or a viscous material. The refractive index of the viscoelastic substance can be within a range of approximately 1.24-1.52 at an operating wavelength of the ophthalmic system. The patient interface can further include input ports, output ports, and a suction system. It can be an integrated design or a multi-piece patient interface. The viscoelastic substance can be provided by injection, on the cornea, at the contact module, or in a space bounded by soft elastic films or membranes, such as in a bag.

Abstract: An adjusting ophthalmic docking system is described that includes a curved contact element, disposed on a procedure eye, a conformation platform at a distal tip of an optical system to support an adjustment of the curved contact element, and a connector to accommodate the adjustment of the contact element. The curved contact element can be a meniscus-shaped contact lens, with a proximal surface radius larger than a distal surface radius. The contact lens can be made of an approximately refractive index-matching material, such as a fluoro-polymer.

Abstract: A cataract surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a cataract target region in an eye; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the cataract target region; and a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic (SD-OCT) imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the SD-OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.

Abstract: Designs and techniques for constructing and operating femtosecond pulse lasers are provided. One example of a laser engine includes an oscillator that generates and outputs a beam of femtosecond seed pulses, a stretcher-compressor that stretches a duration of the seed pulses, and an amplifier that receives the stretched seed pulses, amplifies an amplitude of selected stretched seed pulses to create amplified stretched pulses, and outputs a laser beam of amplified stretched pulses back to the stretcher-compressor that compresses their duration and outputs a laser beam of femtosecond pulses. The amplifier includes a dispersion controller that compensates a dispersion of the amplified stretched pulses, making the repetition rate of the laser adjustable between procedures or according to the speed of scanning. The laser engine can be compact with a total optical path of less than 500 meters, and have a low number of optical elements, e.g. less than 50.

Abstract: A variable-applanation patient interface can include a lens support system, attachable to a distal end of an ophthalmic surgical laser system; a contact lens, supported by the lens support system and configured to make contact with an eye-surface; and an adjustable coupler, coupled to at least one of the lens support system and the contact lens, and configured to be coupled to a non-central region of the eye-surface, to accommodate the contact lens to contact a central region of the eye-surface with a central applanation, to enable a change between the central applanation and an extended applanation, and to accommodate the contact lens to contact an extended region of the eye-surface larger than the central region with the extended applanation.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for laser surgery including imaging-guided surgery techniques, apparatus and systems.