Abstract: A method and surgical system including a laser source for generating a pulsed laser beam, an imaging system including a detector, shared optics configured for directing the pulsed laser beam to an object to be sampled and confocally deflecting back-reflected light from the object to the detector, a patient interface, through which the pulsed laser beam is directed, the patient interface having, a cup with a large and small opening, and a notched ring inside the cup; and a controller operatively coupled to the laser source, the imaging system and the shared optics, the controller configured to align the eye for procedure.

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: In a laser delivery system for an ophthalmic laser surgery system, a laser beam scanner employs a single or two MEMS micromirror arrays. Each micromirror in the array is capable of being independently actuated to rotate to desired angles. In one embodiment, one or two micromirror arrays are controlled to scan a laser beam in two directions. In another embodiment, a micromirror array is controlled to both correct optical aberrations in the laser beam and scan the laser beam in two directions. In yet another embodiment, a micromirror array is controlled to cause the laser beam to be focused to multiple focal spots simultaneously and to scan the multiple focal spot simultaneously. The ophthalmic laser surgery system also includes an ultrashort pulse laser, a laser energy control module, focusing optics and other optics, and a controller for controlling the laser beam scanner and other components of the system.

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: A laser eye surgery system that has a patient interface between the eye and the laser system relying on suction to hold the interface to the eye. The patient interface may be a liquid-filled interface, with liquid used as a transmission medium for the laser. During a laser procedure various inputs are monitored to detect a leak. The inputs may include a video feed of the eye looking for air bubbles in the liquid medium, the force sensors on the patient interface that detect patient movement, and vacuum sensors directly sensing the level of suction between the patient interface and the eye. The method may include combining three monitoring activities with a Bayesian algorithm that computes the probabilities of an imminent vacuum loss event.

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: In a laser delivery system for an ophthalmic laser surgery system, a laser beam scanner employs a single or two MEMS micromirror arrays. Each micromirror in the array is capable of being independently actuated to rotate to desired angles. In one embodiment, one or two micromirror arrays are controlled to scan a laser beam in two directions. In another embodiment, a micromirror array is controlled to both correct optical aberrations in the laser beam and scan the laser beam in two directions. In yet another embodiment, a micromirror array is controlled to cause the laser beam to be focused to multiple focal spots simultaneously and to scan the multiple focal spot simultaneously. The ophthalmic laser surgery system also includes an ultrashort pulse laser, a laser energy control module, focusing optics and other optics, and a controller for controlling the laser beam scanner and other components of the system.

Abstract: An ophthalmic measurement and laser surgery system includes: a laser source; a corneal topography subsystem; an axis determining subsystem; a ranging subsystem comprising an Optical Coherence Tomographer (OCT); and a refractive index determining subsystem. All of the subsystems are under the operative control of a controller. The controller is configure to: operate the corneal topography subsystem to obtain corneal surface information; operate the axis determining subsystem to identify one or more ophthalmic axes of the eye; operate the OCT to sequentially scan the eye in a plurality of OCT scan patterns, the plurality of scan patterns configured to determine an axial length of the eye; operate the refractive index determining subsystem so to determine an index of refraction of one or more ophthalmic tissues, wherein at least one of the corneal surface information, ophthalmic axis information, and axial length is modified based on the determined index of refraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods automatically locate optical surfaces of an eye and automatically generate surface models of the optical surfaces. A method includes OCT scanning of an eye. Returning portions of a sample beam are processed to locate a point on the optical surface and first locations on the optical surface within a first radial distance of the point. A first surface model of the optical surface is generated based on the location of the point and the first locations. Returning portions of the sample beam are processed so as to detect second locations on the optical surface beyond the first radial distance and within a second radial distance from the point. A second surface model of the optical surface is generated based on the location of the point on the optical surface and the first and second locations on the optical surface.

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 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.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system produces a treatment beam that includes a plurality of laser pulses. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystem produces a source beam used to locate one or more structures of an eye. The OCT subsystem is used to sense the distance between a camera objective on the underside of the laser eye surgery system and the patient's eye. Control electronics compare the sensed distance with a pre-determined target distance, and reposition a movable patient support toward or away the camera objective until the sensed distance is at the pre-determined target distance. A subsequent measurement dependent upon the spacing between the camera objective and the patient's eye is performed, such as determining the astigmatic axis by observing the reflection of a plurality of point source LEDs arranged in concentric rings off the eye.

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 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.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system produces a treatment beam that includes a plurality of laser pulses. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystem produces a source beam used to locate one or more structures of an eye. The OCT subsystem is used to sense the distance between a camera objective on the underside of the laser eye surgery system and the patient's eye. Control electronics compare the sensed distance with a pre-determined target distance, and reposition a movable patient support toward or away the camera objective until the sensed distance is at the pre-determined target distance. A subsequent measurement dependent upon the spacing between the camera objective and the patient's eye is performed, such as determining the astigmatic axis by observing the reflection of a plurality of point source LEDs arranged in concentric rings off the eye.

Abstract: A laser surgery system includes a light source, an eye interface device, a scanning assembly, a confocal detection assembly and preferably a confocal bypass assembly. The light source generates an electromagnetic beam. The scanning assembly scans a focal point of the electromagnetic beam to different locations within the eye. An optical path propagates the electromagnetic beam from a light source to the focal point, and also propagates a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along at least a portion of the optical path. The optical path includes an optical element associated with a confocal detection assembly that diverts a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor. The sensor generates an intensity signal indicative of intensity the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location. The confocal bypass assembly reversibly diverts the electromagnetic beam along a diversion optical path around the optical element.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing techniques are used to form an artificial intra-ocular lens (IOL) directly inside the human eye. Small openings are formed in the cornea and lens capsule of the eye, and the crystalline lens is broken up and removed through the openings; then, a material is injected into the lens capsule through the openings, and the focal spot of a pulse laser beam is scanned in a defined pattern in the lens capsule, to transform the material in the vicinity of the lase focal spot to form the IOL in a layer-by-layer manner. In one embodiment, stereolithography techniques are used where a pulse UV laser source is used to photosolidify a photopolymer resin. The liquefied resin is injected into the eye through the openings, after which only part of the resin, having the shape of the desired IOL, is selectively cured with the UV laser beam, via progressive layer formation.

Abstract: A laser surgery system includes a light source, an eye interface device, a scanning assembly, a confocal detection assembly and preferably a confocal bypass assembly. The light source generates an electromagnetic beam. The scanning assembly scans a focal point of the electromagnetic beam to different locations within the eye. An optical path propagates the electromagnetic beam from a light source to the focal point, and also propagates a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along at least a portion of the optical path. The optical path includes an optical element associated with a confocal detection assembly that diverts a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor. The sensor generates an intensity signal indicative of intensity the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location. The confocal bypass assembly reversibly diverts the electromagnetic beam along a diversion optical path around the optical element.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system that has a patient interface between the eye and the laser system relying on suction to hold the interface to the eye. The patient interface may be a liquid-filled interface, with liquid used as a transmission medium for the laser. During a laser procedure various inputs are monitored to detect a leak. The inputs may include a video feed of the eye looking for air bubbles in the liquid medium, the force sensors on the patient interface that detect patient movement, and vacuum sensors directly sensing the level of suction between the patient interface and the eye. The method may include combining three monitoring activities with a Bayesian algorithm that computes the probabilities of an imminent vacuum loss event.

Abstract: A laser surgery system includes a light source, an eye interface device, a scanning assembly, a confocal detection assembly and preferably a confocal bypass assembly. The light source generates an electromagnetic beam. The scanning assembly scans a focal point of the electromagnetic beam to different locations within the eye. An optical path propagates the electromagnetic beam from a light source to the focal point, and also propagates a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along at least a portion of the optical path. The optical path includes an optical element associated with a confocal detection assembly that diverts a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor. The sensor generates an intensity signal indicative of intensity the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location. The confocal bypass assembly reversibly diverts the electromagnetic beam along a diversion optical path around the optical element.