Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for treating opacities and/or hardenings of an unopened eye. It is a specific advantage of the solution according to the invention that the treamtment of the inner region of the eye is possible without the need to introduce a surgical instrument into the eye.

Abstract: There is now provided a method for determining vision defects and for collecting data for correcting vision defects of the eye. The method comprises projecting an image into the eye of the patient with an adaptive optical system having adaptive optical elements. The optical characteristics of the optical elements can be individually changed by an electrical signal. The presence of distortions of the image as perceived by the patient is determined by interaction of the patient with the examiner. By way of an electronic control system the optical characteristics of the adaptive optical elements are changed through outputting of an electrical signal to obtain a modified image with minimized distortions in the eye of the patient. The optical characteristics of the adaptive optical elements, as modified, are determined and vision correcting data for the eye being examined are computed from the optical characteristics of the adaptive optical elements, as modified.

Abstract: A medical instrument for phacoemulsification with which the biological tissue of a lens of the eye is comminuted by the introduction of energy, the comminuted product is sucked out through an incision in the cornea, while intraocular pressure is maintained by supplying an irrigating liquid. In an instrument of the type mentioned above, two cannulas are provided for sucking out the ablated lens material and for supplying the irrigating liquid and are connected, via feed lines, with the suction device and with the supply device. A switchable directional valve is provided in the feed lines between the cannulas and the suction device and supply device, by means of which, in a first valve position, a first cannula is connected with the suction device and the second cannula is connected with the supply device and, in a second valve position, the second cannula is connected with the suction device and the first cannula is connected with the supply device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for completely correcting visual defects of the human eye. The invention mentions combinations of measuring and treatment methods that allow the complete correction of defects of the human eye if applied according to the invention. Measuring methods are used that precisely detect the surface of the cornea and that also register the aberrations that occur in the beam path up to the retina. The computer-assisted evaluation of these measurement results combined with the calculation of optimally corrected lenses (for example after a cataract operation) or of optimally correcting cornea surfaces makes it possible to produce a patient-specific lens and/or to shape the retina so that it optimally corrects the aberration. To this end, the invention preferably uses a spot scanning excimer laser system and makes use of the topography of the eye.

Abstract: A medical handpiece is disclosed which is connected with a laser radiation source via a beam guidance device and by which a laser beam is directed to a treatment area. The handpiece is freely movable to the laser beam source. At least one optical element with a surface which is structured in the micrometer range and which is accordingly micro-optically active is provided inside the handpiece following an exit face of the beam guidance device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand piece which is used to manually direct a laser beam onto biological tissue for the purpose of cosmetic or medical treatment A start/stop signal transmitter (11) for a laser beam source (7) integrated into the inventive hand piece and at least one control device (12) for preselecting and/or changing the physical parameters of the laser beam (3) is also integrated therein. The inventive device allows an operator to activate and regulate the laser independently of a foot pedal device. When the parameters have to be adjusted during treatment, the operator no longer needs to avert his or her gaze from the treatment site and look at a control module placed at a distance from the treatment site.

Abstract: A method and arrangements for phacoemulsification are disclosed in which the biological tissue of the eye lens is ablated by the application of energy in the form of pulsed laser radiation and the occurring ablation product is removed from the treatment site by suction. According to the invention, the object is met by a method of the type mentioned above in that the application of energy in the course of the comminution of nucleus parts is influenced by changing the pulse train and/or the intensity of the laser radiation. A change in the pulse train should advantageously be provided in such a way that an interruption in the laser radiation of at least one pulse length is carried out after every series of pulses at a constant pulse frequency.

Abstract: A process and device for shaping surfaces by laser machining and which are used for photorefractive keratectomy and shaping contact lenses. The shaping is performed in stages so that after any interruption in the process, a complete partial correction of the entire surface is obtained. A computing unit receives data from input units and directs data to a block generator which associates laser machining coordinates to enable the removal of individual surface layers. A sequence generator gathers the data generated by the block generator into blocks which correspond to an individual ablation areas, and orders the blocks into sequences. A block sequence transmitted by the sequence generator acts upon a laser beam deflector and beam shaping unit such that the complete partial correction of the surface is obtained for each block sequence. A central processor coordinates control of the laser, the beam shaping unit and the laser beam deflector.

Abstract: A method for photoablation in the field of dermatological medicine and to an arrangement for carrying out this method is disclosed in which the laser radiation and the outlet channel for the laser radiation are directed to a portion of skin to be treated during the treatment and the outlet opening is positioned near the treatment area. In this method, the area to be treated is subjected to a suction vacuum during treatment over its entire extent. In particular, the outlet opening communicates with a device for generating a vacuum.

Abstract: For a virtual connection set up using an asynchronous transmission method which transmits information cells with a rate which is not constant over a relatively long period, the maximum rate may be limited, on the one hand, and the access of the information cells to a trunk line carrying information cells of a plurality of virtual connections may be regulated, on the other hand. As a result, the rate of information cells of a virtual connection is limited.