Abstract: Specific embodiments of the invention are directed to improved surgical procedures involving the use of processed non-visual three-dimensional data (i.e. diagnostic scan data) to provide a surgeon with additional guidance (i.e. more than that generally obtained from visual observation of the working area) concerning the distance separating a working end of a surgical instrument and the posterior portion of a target tissue. Separation information may be used to aid the surgeon in minimizing the risk of unintended penetration of adjacent tissue with the working end of the instrument. Some embodiments provide for the visual and/or auditory conveyance of distance information to the surgeon. Additional embodiments provide for overlaying visual representations of selected three-dimensional structure information (e.g. depths of troughs cut into the lens) with the real surface feature images viewed by the surgeon.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for guiding emissions to a target. The methods and systems utilize, in part, Markerless Tracking software to detect a beam of energy, such as a laser, toward a target such as a tissue that is the subject of a medical procedure.