Abstract: Methods and related apparatus for real-time process monitoring during laser-based refractive index modification of an intraocular lens. During in situ laser treatment of the IOL to modify the refractive index of the IOL material, a signal from the IOL is measured to determine the processing effect of the refractive index modification, and based on the determination, to adjust the laser system parameters to achieve intended processing result. The signal measured from the IOL may be a fluorescent signal induced by the treatment laser, a fluorescent signal induced by an external illumination source, a temporary photodarkening effect, a color change, or a refractive index change directly measured by phase stabilized OCT.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical laser system includes: a laser that produces a pulsed laser beam having a pulse energy and pulse repetition rate; a high frequency fast scanner; an XY-scan device; a Z-scan device; and a controller. The controller controls the high frequency scanner to produce a scan line having a scan width; controls the XY-scan device and the Z-scan device to carry out of first sweep of the scan line in a first sweep direction and to carry out a second sweep of the scan line in a second sweep direction that is not parallel to the first sweep direction thereby defining an overlap region. At least one of the pulse energy, repetition rate, XY-scan speed, and the scan width is varied so as to accelerate the cutting speed and reduce the exposure of ophthalmic tissue in the overlap region to multiple exposures of laser pulses configured to modify ophthalmic tissue.

Abstract: During a process of refractive index modification of an intraocular lens (IOL) using an ophthalmic laser system, optical position monitoring of the IOL is performed by a video camera system viewing the top surface of the IOL. Fiducials are incorporated into the IOL at manufacture, or created in-vivo with laser. The monitoring method employs a defined area of interest (AOI) to limit the number of pixels to be analyzed, to achieve adequately high acquisition speed. In one example, the AOI contains 5 camera scan line segments, each line segment having sufficient pixels to create a stable amplitude signature. Successive frames of the AOI are analyzed to detect movement of the fiducial and/or to determine whether the fiducial has been lost.

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: Embodiments of this invention generally relate to ophthalmic laser procedures and, more particularly, to systems and methods for lenticular laser incision. In an embodiment, an ophthalmic surgical laser system comprises a laser delivery system for delivering a pulsed laser beam to a target in a subject's eye, an XY-scan device to deflect the pulsed laser beam, a Z-scan device to modify a depth of a focus of the pulsed laser beam, and a controller configured to form a top lenticular incision and a bottom lenticular incision of a lens in the subject's eye, or just a bottom lenticular incision.

Abstract: A narrow angle illumination light source for an ophthalmic surgical laser system includes multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs), multiple corresponding ball lenses, multiple corresponding upper apertures located between the LEDs and the lenses (optional), and multiple corresponding lower apertures located below the lenses. The light passing through each upper aperture and corresponding lens forms a light cone having a defined divergence angle and cone axis angle; the light cone only illuminates the corneal and sclera of a docked eye without illuminating the patients nose and orbit. The lower apertures may have distinctive shapes to aid video focusing. The multiple LEDs are distributed uniformly in the circle, and may be divided into multiple independently controllable segments which allows directional illumination. The LEDs also have controllable brightness to allow images of darker and brighter illuminations to be taken in short succession.

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 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 fiducial is generated on an internal anatomical structure of the eye of a patient with a surgical laser. A toric artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is positioned so that a marker of the toric IOL is in a predetermined positional relationship relative to the fiducial. This positioning aligns the toric IOL with the astigmatic or other axis of the eye. The toric IOL is then implanted in the eye of the patient with high accuracy.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system 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. 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. The patient interface assembly couples the eye with the integrated optical subsystem so as to constrain the eye relative to the integrated optical subsystem.

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: 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: A laser eye surgery system includes a laser to generate a laser beam. A spatial measurement system generates a measurement beam and measure a spatial disposition of an eye. A processor is coupled to the laser and the spatial measurement system, the processor comprising a tangible medium embodying instructions to determine a spatial model of the eye in an eye coordinate reference system based on the measurement beam. The spatial model is mapped from the eye coordinate reference system to a machine coordinate reference system. A laser fragmentation pattern is determined based on a plurality of laser fragmentation parameters. The laser fragmentation pattern and the spatial model is rotated by a first rotation angle such that the spatial model is aligned with the reference axis of the machine coordinate reference system and the rotated laser fragmentation pattern is aligned with the corneal incision.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing ophthalmic laser surgery using a pulsed laser beam is provided. The method includes establishing an initial cutting pattern comprising a plurality of original photodisruption points, establishing an enhanced cutting pattern comprising a plurality of enhanced photodisruption points selected to decrease potential adverse effects due to patient movement and having increased density over a fixed area as compared with the plurality of original photodisruption points, and performing an ocular surgical procedure according to the enhanced cutting pattern Enhanced cutting patterns may include circular cuts around the periphery of a capsule, vertical side cuts for lens fragmentation, raster lamellar cuts, and grid lamellar cuts. Each photodisruption point in the initial cutting pattern and the enhanced cutting pattern comprises a laser target point.

Abstract: An RF (radio frequency) positioning system and related method for automated or assisted eye-docking in ophthalmic surgery. The system includes an RF detector system on a laser head and an RFID tag on a patient interface to be mounted on the patient's eye. The detector system includes four RF antennas located on a horizontal plane for detecting RF signals from the RFID tag, where one pair of antennas are located along the X direction at equal distances from the optical axis of the laser head and another pair are located along the Y direction at equal distances from the optical axis. Based on relative strengths and phase difference of the RF signals detected by each pair of antennas, the RF detector system determines whether the patient interface is centered on the optical axis. The RF detector system controls the laser head to move toward the patient interface until the latter is centered on the optical axis.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing a laser-assisted posterior capsulotomy and for performing laser eye surgery on an eye having a penetrated cornea are provided. A method for performing a posterior capsulotomy includes injecting fluid between the lens posterior capsule and the anterior hyaloids membrane to separate the lens posterior capsule and the anterior hyaloids membrane. With the lens posterior capsule separated from the anterior hyaloids membrane, a posterior capsulotomy is performed on the lens posterior capsule by using a laser to incise the lens posterior capsule.

Abstract: A system for ophthalmic surgery on an eye includes: a pulsed laser which produces a treatment beam; an OCT imaging assembly capable of creating a continuous depth profile of the eye; an optical scanning system configured to position a focal zone of the treatment beam to a targeted location in three dimensions in one or more floaters in the posterior pole. The system also includes one or more controllers programmed to automatically scan tissues of the patient's eye with the imaging assembly; identify one or more boundaries of the one or more floaters based at least in part on the image data; iii. identify one or more treatment regions based upon the boundaries; and operate the optical scanning system with the pulsed laser to produce a treatment beam directed in a pattern based on the one or more treatment regions.

Abstract: The patient interface may comprise an axis for alignment with an axis of the eye such as an optical axis of the eye. The interface may comprise a guide to allow the interface to move along the axis with the eye, which can inhibit increases in intraocular pressure when the patient is aligned with the laser. The interface may comprise a lock to hold the patient interface at a location along the axis, which can maintain alignment of the patient with the laser eye surgery system. The interface may comprise a plurality of transducers to measure forces to the eye during surgery. The laser eye surgery system can be configured in one or more of many ways to respond to the measured forces. For example, the system may offset the position of laser beam pulses to increase the accuracy of the placement of the beam pulses on the eye.

Abstract: A first image of the eye is generated when the cornea of the eye is exposed to a gas. The cornea is covered with an optic of a patient interface. A second image of the eye with the patient interface over the cornea is generated. In this second image, the patient interface distorts the second image of the eye. One or more of a position or an orientation of the eye is determined in response to the first image and the second image when the patient interface has been placed over the cornea.

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.