Abstract: Embodiments of this invention generally relate to systems and methods for optical treatment and more particularly to non-invasive refractive treatment method based on sub wavelength particle implantation. In an embodiment, a method for optical treatment identifies an optical aberration of an eye, determines a dopant delivery device configuration in response to the optical aberration of the eye, wherein the determined dopant delivery device is configured to impose a desired correction to the eye to mitigate the identified optical aberration of the eye by applying a doping pattern to the eye so as to locally change a refractive index of the eye.

Abstract: A system includes: a swept laser light source generating laser light having a frequency swept across a frequency bandwidth as a function of time; a sample path directing a first portion of the laser light to an eye as a probe beam and receiving a returned portion of the probe beam from the eye; a reference path passing therethrough a second portion of the laser light, the reference path having a defined optical path length; and a detector receiving the returned portion of the probe beam from the eye and the second portion of the laser light from the reference path, and in response thereto outputting an optical coherence tomography (OCT) output signal having OCT peaks whose relative timing represents the depths of surfaces of structures of the eye, wherein the sample path includes a fiducial generator which produces a fiducial peak in the OCT output signal.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system includes a laser to generate a laser beam. A topography measurement system measures corneal topography. A processor is coupled to the laser and the topography measurement system, the processor embodying instructions to measure a first corneal topography of the eye. A first curvature of the cornea is determined. A target curvature of the cornea that treats the eye is determined. A first set of incisions and a set of partial incisions in the cornea smaller than the first set of incisions are determined. The set of partial incisions is incised on the cornea by the laser beam. A second corneal topography is measured. A second curvature of the cornea is determined. The second curvature is determined to differ from the target curvature and a second set of incisions are determined. The second set of incisions is incised on the cornea.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fragmenting a lens by a laser cataract surgery system includes a sub-nanosecond laser source generating a treatment beam that includes a plurality of laser beam pulses. An optical delivery system is coupled to the sub-nanosecond laser source to receive and direct the treatment beam. A processor is coupled to the sub-nanosecond laser source and the optical delivery system. The processor includes a tangible non-volatile computer readable medium comprising instructions to determine a lens cut pattern for lens fragmentation and determine a plurality of energies of the treatment beam as a linear function of a depth of the lens cut pattern. The treatment beam is output according to the lens cut pattern and the determined energies.

Abstract: A laser system calibration method and system are provided. In some methods, a calibration plate may be used to calibrate a video camera of the laser system. The video camera pixel locations may be mapped to the physical space. A xy-scan device of the laser system may be calibrated by defining control parameters for actuating components of the xy-scan device to scan a beam to a series of locations. Optionally, the beam may be scanned to a series of locations on a fluorescent plate. The video camera may be used to capture reflected light from the fluorescent plate. The xy-scan device may then be calibrated by mapping the xy-scan device control parameters to physical locations. A desired z-depth focus may be determined by defining control parameters for focusing a beam to different depths. The video camera or a confocal detector may be used to detect the scanned depths.

Abstract: A laser scanner is disclosed. The laser scanner comprises a laser source, a first optical element, and a focusing element. The first optical element is adapted to move along the optical axis of light from the laser source. The focusing element receives laser light from the first optical element and is adapted to move orthogonally to the optical axis. Optionally, the focusing element may include multiple focusing lenses. A first focusing lens may be adapted to move along a first axis which is orthogonal to the optical axis. A second focusing lens may be adapted to move along a second axis which is orthogonal to the optical axis and to the first axis. The laser scanner may also include a second optical element which receives light from the focusing element and is adapted to effectively increase the focal length of the focusing element without increasing its f number.

Abstract: A method for measuring the intraocular pressure (IOP) of an eye docked to an ophthalmic surgical laser system via a patient interface assembly. While the eye is docked to the laser system, and as the vertical force exerted on the eye by the patient interface fluctuates as the patient breaths and moves, the amount of corneal deformation is continuously measured by an optical coherence tomography device of the laser system and the force exerted on the eye is continuously measured by force sensors integrated in the patient interface assembly. Based on the real-time force signal and real-time corneal deformation signal, a controller calculates a linear relationship between force and corneal deformation, and determines the IOP of the docked eye by comparing a slope of the linear relationship against a pre-established slope vs. IOP calibration curve. The IOP of the docked eye can be used when setting laser treatment parameters.

Abstract: An instrument includes: one or more scanning mirrors to receive an OCT sample beam and to scan the sample beam in two orthogonal directions; and an optical system to receive the sample beam and provide the sample beam to an eye. The optical system includes: a first lens having a first focal length, disposed along an optical path from the scanning mirror(s) to the eye at a distance from the cornea which is approximately equal to the first focal length, and a second lens disposed along the optical path between the first lens and the scanning mirror(s). The second lens receives the sample beam from the scanning mirror(s) and provides the sample beam to the first lens as a converging beam such that, as the sample beam is scanned, the sample beam passes through a pivot point located along an optical axis between the eye and the first lens.

Abstract: In an ophthalmic laser surgical system, a real-time optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurement method acquires OCT data during laser treatment. The treatment laser beam and OCT sample beam are generated simultaneously, and the optical delivery system scans them simultaneously in the eye tissue, where the focus of the treatment laser beam and the focus of the OCT beam coincide with each other in space. While both beams simultaneously scanned in the eye tissue, the OCT device detects returned OCT light from the sample during a data acquisition period, and generates an OCT A-scan based on the detected OCT light. Based on the A-scan, a controller determines a structure of the eye in a depth direction relative to the focus of the OCT beam, and controls the operations ophthalmic laser surgical system accordingly. One exemplary application is the formation of an arcuate corneal incision in cataract surgery.

Abstract: Apparatus to treat an eye with an ophthalmic laser system comprises a patient interface having an annular retention structure to couple to an anterior surface of the eye. The retention structure is coupled to a suction line to couple the retention structure to the eye with suction. Liquid is added above the eye to act as a transmissive medium. A coupling sensor is coupled to the suction line to determine coupling of the retention structure to the eye. A separate pressure monitoring circuit having a much smaller volume than the suction line is connected to the annular retention structure to measure suction pressure therein. A system processor coupled to the monitoring pressure sensor includes instructions to interrupt firing of a laser when the pressure measured with a monitoring pressure sensor rises above a threshold amount.

Abstract: A system for determining a vision treatment for an eye of a patient is provided which includes a memory and a processor, in communication with the memory, configured to receive a first treatment target corresponding to a first target shape of a surface of the eye, obtain a periphery modification function (PMF), determine a second treatment target corresponding to a second target shape of the surface of the eye by multiplying, for each of a plurality of points on the surface of the eye, the PMF by the first treatment target, and scale the second treatment target using a scaling factor such that values of the second treatment target are scaled to be greater at a mid-periphery of the eye and scaled to be lower at a far-periphery of the eye. A treatment parameter of a treatment applied to the surface of the eye is controlled by the scaled second treatment target.

Abstract: A laser surgical method for performing a corneal incision while maintaining iris exposure below a predetermined exposure limit includes: determining an initial iris exposure based on an initial treatment scan, determining whether the initial iris exposure is less than the predetermined exposure limit; generating a revised treatment scan comprising one or more treatment scan modifying elements when the initial iris exposure is greater than the predetermined exposure limit, and scanning the focal zone of a pulsed laser beam according to the revised treatment scan, thereby performing the corneal incision, wherein the one or more treatment scan modifying elements causes the iris exposure to be smaller than the predetermined exposure limit.

Abstract: An ophthalmic laser surgical system uses a confocal detector assembly to continuously detect a confocal signal during laser treatment, and based on the confocal signal, detects in real time a loss of tissue contact with the patient interface (PI) output surface. The detection is partly based on the change of reflectivity at the PI output surface when the optical interface changes from a lens-tissue interface to a lens-air interface. The behavior of the confocal signal upon loss of tissue contact is dependent on the treatment laser scan pattern being performed at the time of tissue contact loss. Thus, different confocal signal analysis algorithms are applied to detect tissue contact loss during different scans, such as the bed cut and side cut for a corneal flap. The real time confocal signal may also be used during eye docking to detect the establishment of tissue contact with the PI output surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for interfacing an ophthalmic surgical laser system with a patient's eye using a single-piece patient interface (PI). The PI includes a hollow shell, with an applanation lens and a flexible skirt at its lower end. Through channels are formed around the applanation lens to connect the spaces above and below the lens. When the PI is coupled to the laser system and the eye, the upper rim of the shell forms a seal with the laser system and the flexible skirt forms a seal with the eye. A vacuum is applied to the interior of the shell via a vacuum port on the laser system, and the vacuum is communicated to the space enclosed by the applanation lens, the skirt and the eye through the channels around the lens. A magnetic mechanism is also provided to hold the PI shell to the laser system.

Abstract: An optical measurement system and method measure a characteristic of a subject's eye. The optical measurement system receives from an operator, via a user interface of the optical measurement instrument, a begin measurement instruction indicating the start of a measurement period for objectively measuring at least one characteristic of the subject's eye. Subsequent to receiving the begin measurement instruction, the optical measurement system determines whether a criterion associated with the tear film quality of the subject's eye is not satisfied. In response to determining that the criterion is not satisfied, the optical measurement instrument takes one or more corrective actions to measure the characteristic of the subject's eye under a condition wherein the criterion is satisfied.

Abstract: A system and method of treating target tissue in a patient's eye, which includes generating a light beam, deflecting the light beam using a scanner to form first and second treatment patterns, delivering the first treatment pattern to the target tissue to form an incision that provides access to an eye chamber of the patient's eye, and delivering the second treatment pattern to the target tissue to form a relaxation incision along or near limbus tissue or along corneal tissue anterior to the limbus tissue of the patient's eye to reduce astigmatism thereof.

Abstract: An ophthalmic system may comprise an imaging device having a field of view oriented toward the eye of the patient; a patient interface housing defining a passage therethrough, having a distal end coupled to one or more seals configured to be directly engaged with one or more surfaces of the eye of the patient, and wherein the proximal end is configured to be coupled to the patient workstation such that at least a portion of the field of view of the imaging device passes through the passage; and two or more registration fiducials coupled to the patient interface housing in a predetermined geometric configuration relative to the patient interface housing within the field of view of the imaging device such that they may be imaged by the imaging device in reference to predetermined geometric markers on the eye of the patient which may also be imaged by the imaging device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interfacing an ophthalmic surgical laser with an eye using a patient interface (PI). The PI may include a closed, fluid-filled bladder having fiducials that contacts and deforms to the eye. Or, the PI may have an applanation lens with an outer ring portion and an inner concave portion for receiving the apex of the cornea. Another PI features a suction ring with a flexible skirt for contacting the sclera that is non-circular and/or non-planar. A system for injecting an index matching fluid into the area above the eye may also be incorporated. An integrated system includes a co-molded lens cone and attachment ring, with a lens window at the bottom of the lens cone which provides a sealed volume for vacuum-attaching a laser delivery system above the lens cone.

Abstract: A single-piece patient interface device (PI) for coupling an patient's eye to an ophthalmic surgical laser system, which includes a rigid shell, a flexible suction ring joined to a lower edge of the shell, an applanation lens, and a flexible annular diaphragm which joins the applanation lens to the shell near the lower edge of the shell. The flexible diaphragm allows the applanation lens to move relative to the shell, including to shift in longitudinal and lateral directions of the shell and to tilt. In operation, the surgeon first secures the PI to the patient's eye by hand, and then couples the laser system to the PI by lowering the laser delivery head into the PI shell. During the lowering process, the laser delivery head presses the applanation lens down relative to the PI to applanate the cornea of the eye.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing laser-assisted surgery on an eye form one or more small anchoring capsulotomies in the lens capsule of the eye. The one or more anchoring capsulotomies are configured to accommodate corresponding anchoring features of an intraocular lens and/or to accommodate one or more drug-eluting members. A method for performing laser-assisted eye surgery on an eye having a lens capsule includes forming an anchoring capsulotomy in the lens capsule and coupling an anchoring feature of the intraocular lens with the anchoring capsulotomy. The anchoring capsulotomy is formed by using a laser to incise the lens capsule. The anchoring feature can protrude transverse to a surface of the intraocular lens that interfaces with the lens capsule adjacent to the anchoring capsulotomy.