Abstract: An RF (radio frequency) positioning system and related method for automated or assisted eye-docking in ophthalmic surgery. The system includes an RF detector system on a laser head and an RFID tag on a patient interface to be mounted on the patient's eye. The detector system includes four RF antennas located on a horizontal plane for detecting RF signals from the RFID tag, where one pair of antennas are located along the X direction at equal distances from the optical axis of the laser head and another pair are located along the Y direction at equal distances from the optical axis. Based on relative strengths and phase difference of the RF signals detected by each pair of antennas, the RF detector system determines whether the patient interface is centered on the optical axis. The RF detector system controls the laser head to move toward the patient interface until the latter is centered on the optical axis.

Abstract: Improved corneal lenticule extraction tools which integrate defined angles, tip features, and the use of vacuum into the tool to aid in the removal of the lenticule. The tool has a body and a tip each with an internal air channel. The tip has a straight portion and a curved portion at a distal end, with one or more orifices disposed on the curved portion. The body either has a mechanism for generating a vacuum in the internal air channel, such as a resilient diaphragm, or is connected to an external vacuum source. Use of tip features and angles helps the surgeon find tissue edges during tissue removal. The use of vacuum aids to draw the tissue to the tool and to hold the tissue by the tool. The improved tools improve speed of extraction as well as completeness of extraction so that no tissue is left behind.

Abstract: A patient interface device for use in ophthalmic surgery, which includes a rigid body and a suction ring joined to a lower end of the body, where the suction ring includes an annular skirt made of a soft and flexible material and located at a lower end of the suction ring, and where an inner surface, and optionally an outer surface, of the skirt is coated with medication. The medication includes one or more of the following types of medication: anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, numbing, lubricating, and anti-redness. The coating method may include dip coating, sputter deposition, ultrasonic-spraying, and spin-coating. The skirt may be formed by a process that increases its material porosity and/or surface roughness, and may be surface-treated to enhance adhesion and retention of the medication.

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: 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: 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 RF (radio frequency) positioning system and related method for automated or assisted eye-docking in ophthalmic surgery. The system includes an RF detector system on a laser head and an RFID tag on a patient interface to be mounted on the patient's eye. The detector system includes four RF antennas located on a horizontal plane for detecting RF signals from the RFID tag, where one pair of antennas are located along the X direction at equal distances from the optical axis of the laser head and another pair are located along the Y direction at equal distances from the optical axis. Based on relative strengths and phase difference of the RF signals detected by each pair of antennas, the RF detector system determines whether the patient interface is centered on the optical axis. The RF detector system controls the laser head to move toward the patient interface until the latter is centered on the optical axis.

Abstract: An RF (radio frequency) positioning system and related method for automated or assisted eye-docking in ophthalmic surgery. The system includes an RF detector system on a laser head and an RFID tag on a patient interface to be mounted on the patient's eye. The detector system includes four RF antennas located on a horizontal plane for detecting RF signals from the RFID tag, where one pair of antennas are located along the X direction at equal distances from the optical axis of the laser head and another pair are located along the Y direction at equal distances from the optical axis. Based on relative strengths and phase difference of the RF signals detected by each pair of antennas, the RF detector system determines whether the patient interface is centered on the optical axis. The RF detector system controls the laser head to move toward the patient interface until the latter is centered on the optical axis.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes: a first interface port configured to be interfaced with a laser surgery apparatus; a second interface port configured to be interfaced with a patient's eye, the second interface port including an applanating lens for application to a patient's eye during a laser surgery procedure; a chamber extending between the first interface port and the second interface port and defining a chamber therein, wherein air may be evacuated from the chamber by the laser surgery apparatus via the first interface port. The second interface port also includes a retaining ring on which the applanating lens is provided, the retaining ring having through channels extending through the retaining ring from the chamber above the applanating lens to a space below the applanating lens.

Abstract: In an ophthalmic laser procedure, a lenticule is formed in the cornea and extracted from the cornea to accomplish vision correction. The ophthalmic laser system is used to form top and bottom lenticule incisions which intersect each other to form an isolated volume of corneal tissue in between. The volume of tissue includes a lenticular portion having a circular or oval shape and a side tab that protrudes from the peripheral of the lenticular portion. The side tab has a radial dimension between 0.5 and 5 mm and a width between 0.5 and 3 mm in. An entry cut is further formed from the anterior corneal surface to the top or bottom lenticule incisions to provide access to the lenticule. During extraction, the surgeon uses the surgical tool to grab the side tab to extract the lenticule.

Abstract: In an ophthalmic laser procedure, a lenticule is formed in the cornea and extracted from the cornea to accomplish vision correction. The ophthalmic laser system is used to form top and bottom lenticule incisions which intersect each other to form an isolated volume of corneal tissue in between. The volume of tissue includes a lenticular portion having a circular or oval shape and a side tab that protrudes from the peripheral of the lenticular portion. The side tab has a radial dimension between 0.5 and 5 mm and a width between 0.5 and 3 mm in. An entry cut is further formed from the anterior corneal surface to the top or bottom lenticule incisions to provide access to the lenticule. During extraction, the surgeon uses the surgical tool to grab the side tab to extract the lenticule.

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: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a tissue traction device, e.g., for endoscopic tissue dissection. For example, a tissue traction device may include a first clip comprising opposable jaws. The device may include a traction band having a first end, a second end, a length therebetween and extending along a longitudinal axis. The band may have a first aperture at the first end. A second aperture may be at the second end of the band. A first jaw of the opposable jaws of the first clip may be disposed through the first aperture.

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: A patient interface device includes: a first interface port configured to be interfaced with a laser surgery apparatus; a second interface port configured to be interfaced with a patient's eye, the second interface port including an applanating lens for application to a patient's eye during a laser surgery procedure; a chamber extending between the first interface port and the second interface port and defining a chamber therein, wherein air may be evacuated from the chamber by the laser surgery apparatus via the first interface port. The second interface port also includes a retaining ring on which the applanating lens is provided, the retaining ring having through channels extending through the retaining ring from the chamber above the applanating lens to a space below the applanating lens.

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: 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: A patient interface device includes: a first interface port configured to be interfaced with a laser surgery apparatus; a second interface port configured to be interfaced with a patient's eye, the second interface port including an applanating lens for application to a patient's eye during a laser surgery procedure; a chamber extending between the first interface port and the second interface port and defining a chamber therein, wherein air may be evacuated from the chamber by the laser surgery apparatus via the first interface port; and a tubular light guiding structure having at a first end thereof a light receiving surface, configured to receive light, and having at a second end thereof a light-emitting surface, wherein the second surface is disposed adjacent the applanating lens and configured to provide the light in a vicinity of the patient's eye when the applanating lens is applied to the patient's eye.

Abstract: Improved corneal lenticule extraction tools which integrate defined angles, tip features, and the use of vacuum into the tool to aid in the removal of the lenticule. The tool has a body and a tip each with an internal air channel. The tip has a straight portion and a curved portion at a distal end, with one or more orifices disposed on the curved portion. The body either has a mechanism for generating a vacuum in the internal air channel, such as a resilient diaphragm, or is connected to an external vacuum source. Use of tip features and angles helps the surgeon find tissue edges during tissue removal. The use of vacuum aids to draw the tissue to the tool and to hold the tissue by the tool. The improved tools improve speed of extraction as well as completeness of extraction so that no tissue is left behind.

Abstract: In an ophthalmic laser procedure, a lenticule is formed in the cornea and extracted from the cornea to accomplish vision correction. The ophthalmic laser system is used to form top and bottom lenticule incisions which intersect each other to form an isolated volume of corneal tissue in between. The volume of tissue includes a lenticular portion having a circular or oval shape and a side tab that protrudes from the peripheral of the lenticular portion. The side tab has a radial dimension between 0.5 and 5 mm and a width between 0.5 and 3 mm in. An entry cut is further formed from the anterior corneal surface to the top or bottom lenticule incisions to provide access to the lenticule. During extraction, the surgeon uses the surgical tool to grab the side tab to extract the lenticule.