Abstract: A system and method are provided for fragmenting a crystalline lens, to facilitate its removal from the lens bag during an ophthalmic laser surgery. First, a predetermined pattern is used to make Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) cuts that section the lens into asymmetrical, operational segments. At least one operational segment is then selected and softened with a plurality of compact LIOB cuts. Once softened, the selected segment is aspirated. The remaining operational segments are then subsequently removed. During a procedure, an imaging unit can monitor movements of the lens bag to ensure proper placement of the LIOB cuts on the lens.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a line recognition template that replicates an object is provided for use as a control reference during ophthalmic surgery on the object. Creation of the template first requires aligning a plurality of reference points along a central “z” axis, with anatomically measured lengths (?“z”n) between adjacent reference points. Axially-symmetric surfaces can then be traced between selected, adjacent, reference points to create the template. For the present invention, the location of reference points, and the tracing of axially-symmetric surfaces, are based on a cross sectional image of the object for surgery. Preferably, the cross sectional image is obtained using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) techniques.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for establishing precise locations for a focal point of a laser beam within a predetermined scanning range during ophthalmic laser surgery. An important aspect of the present invention is the use of a tolerance for deviation of the laser beam's focal point from the laser beam path. The purpose of the tolerance is to ensure that the surgical procedure is effective and that collateral damage to non-targeted tissue does not occur. The present invention accounts for deviations caused by various factors during a procedure. A computer is provided to ensure that the cumulative effect of all deviations maintains the focal point within the tolerance.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for using a laser unit to treat a crystalline lens (or lens capsule) to compensate for any tilt angle “?” there may be between a lens axis and an operational axis of the laser unit (i.e. “z” axis). To begin, a contiguous sequence of procedure paths that collectively define the boundary surface of a lens volume are identified, with each procedure path inclined by the tilt angle “?”. A slice occurs in an x-y plane that is on the boundary surface of the volume of lens and includes portions of several procedure paths. The slices are projected into the x-y plane where they are sequenced for use as trace paths for the laser unit. The trace paths are used to guide a laser beam to perform LIOB along the slice for the different values of “z” to incise the boundary surface.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a line recognition template that replicates an object is provided for use as a control reference during ophthalmic surgery on the object. Creation of the template first requires aligning a plurality of reference points along a central “z” axis, with anatomically measured lengths (?“z”n) between adjacent reference points. Axially-symmetric surfaces can then be traced between selected, adjacent, reference points to create the template. For the present invention, the location of reference points, and the tracing of axially-symmetric surfaces, are based on a cross sectional image of the object for surgery. Preferably, the cross sectional image is obtained using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) techniques.

Abstract: A system for establishing a reference datum inside the eye of a patient includes an imaging unit for generating and directing imaging beams along respective beam paths into the eye. A detector is connected with the imaging unit and is used to identify the location(s) of marked responses on each beam path where the imaging beam intersects a selected interface surface. A computer then organizes the plurality of marked responses into a predetermined subset according to their common intersection with a same interface surface. This predetermined subset is then fitted with a topology of a surface to establish the reference datum.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for fragmenting a crystalline lens, to facilitate its removal from the lens bag during an ophthalmic laser surgery. First, a predetermined pattern is used to make Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) cuts that section the lens into asymmetrical, operational segments. At least one operational segment is then selected and softened with a plurality of compact LIOB cuts. Once softened, the selected segment is aspirated. The remaining operational segments are then subsequently removed. During a procedure, an imaging unit can monitor movements of the lens bag to ensure proper placement of the LIOB cuts on the lens.

Abstract: A light source includes a semiconductor laser diode and a narrow spectral and spatial bandwidth reflector in optical communication with respect to the semiconductor diode laser and aligned with the output beam of the diode laser, such that a portion of the light in the output beam is reflected back into the laser.

Abstract: Methods of preparing front and back facets of a diode laser include controlling an atmosphere within a first chamber, such that an oxygen content and a water vapor content are controlled to within predetermined levels and cleaving the diode laser from a wafer within the controlled atmosphere of the first chamber to form a native oxide layer hating a predetermined thickness on the front and back facets of the diode laser. After cleavage, the diode laser is transported from the first chamber to a second chamber within a controlled atmosphere, the native oxide layer on the front and back facets of the diode laser is partially removed, an amorphous surface layer is formed on the front and back facets of the diode laser, and the front and back facets of the diode laser are passivated.

Abstract: An optical fiber for producing laser radiation at a characteristic wavelength includes a first multimode core region and an active region embedded within the core region for producing radiation at the characteristic wavelength when pumped by pump radiation. The core region is adapted for guiding the laser radiation in a longitudinal direction of the fiber and is adapted for guiding pump radiation. The active region has a sufficiently small transverse dimension such that radiation produced in the active region is not confined to the active region.

Abstract: An optically stacked, laser diode array module (10) includes a mounting block (100) having a series of stepped, parallel diode mounting surfaces (101) on one face of the block, each diode mounting surface cooperating with a respective pair of reference surfaces (102, 103) of the block to form a respective outside block corner, a series of laser diodes (300) affixed to the block, with facets of the diode aligned with the reference surfaces forming the outside block corner with the mounting surface on which the diode is disposed, such that a corner of each diode is aligned with a respective corner of the block, and a beam reflector (200) secured to the block and having a series of stepped, parallel surfaces, each positioned to intercept and reflect a respective one of the beams (500) from the laser diodes, such that the reflected beams are parallel and stacked. The beams (500) emitted from the laser diodes (300) can be collimated by microlenses (400).

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a radial axis, a longitudinal axis, a first window surface adapted for receiving pump radiation and transmitting the pump radiation into the optical fiber, a second surface adapted for totally internally reflecting pump radiation received within the optical fiber, and an active region within the optical fiber for generating radiation at a characteristic wavelength when pumped with pump radiation. A normal direction of the first window surface is not parallel to a direction of the radial axis at the first window surface.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a radial axis, a longitudinal axis, a first window surface adapted for receiving pump radiation and transmitting the pump radiation into the optical fiber, a second surface adapted for totally internally reflecting pump radiation received within the optical fiber, and an active region within the optical fiber for generating radiation at a characteristic wavelength when pumped with pump radiation. A normal direction of the first window surface is not parallel to a direction of the radial axis at the first window surface.

Abstract: An optical fiber for producing laser radiation at a characteristic wavelength includes a first multimode core region and an active region embedded within the core region for producing radiation at the characteristic wavelength when pumped by pump radiation. The core region is adapted for guiding the laser radiation in a longitudinal direction of the fiber and is adapted for guiding pump radiation. The active region has a sufficiently small transverse dimension such that radiation produced in the active region is not confined to the active region.

Abstract: A system for the reforming of a laser beam having a circular sector shaped beam cross section into a laser beam with a rectangular beam cross section, incorporates a mirror whose surface is shaped as the circular sector of a reflective parabolic rotational body. With only one mirror, and with only minor image aberrations, the circular sector shaped laser beam can be reformed into a rectangular laser beam.

Abstract: A laser beam generating assembly for materials processing includes a resonator to generate a linearly polarized laser beam, and a beam forming assembly which includes mirrors to orient the polarization plane of the laser beam in a prescribed orientation relative to the vertical and a delay plate which has its reflective surface oriented so that the polarization plane of the beam impinges thereon is at an angle of 45°. The delay plate serves to produce a polarized laser beam with a rotating polarization vector, and in particular an elliptical or circular polarization of the laser beam.

Abstract: A laser resonator is described, with a first and a second end mirror and with coaxial electrodes between which laser radiation reflected back and forth in the direction of an axis of symmetry of the laser resonator passes azimuthally segment by segment through a resonator volume with an annular cross section. The invention is distinguished in that the second end mirror is a substantially conical mirror that deflects the laser radiation striking it to respective azimuthally opposite regions of the resonator volume.