Abstract: A laser pulse driving method comprises the steps of selecting a desired laser pulse energy level and a laser pulse width, and then determining a target flashlamp current level corresponding to the laser pulse energy level and the laser pulse width. Further, the method teaches generating a reference voltage corresponding to the target flashlamp current level at a first input of a comparator, closing a power switch to deliver an actual flashlamp current level to the flashlamp from a pulse capacitor, and then presenting a shunt voltage proportional to the actual flashlamp current level at a second input of the comparator. Further steps include, turning-on a comparator output when the shunt voltage is less than the reference voltage, receiving the comparator output at a first AND gate input, receiving a control signal at a second AND gate input for a time equal to the laser pulse width and then applying the AND gate output at a power switch driver when both the first and the second AND gate inputs are present.

Abstract: A diode laser device and method of use for achieving transcutaneous laser photocoagulation of the retina is described. A diode laser is used since it is much more efficient than the ion or dye lasers presently used for laser photocoagulation, and therefore will not require forced air of water cooling and can be made for compact. In addition, the diode laser can be used with standard 110 v wall sockets, and does not require the high power, three phase sockets required for the ion lasers. The end result is that compared to the ion laser device, the diode laser device can be brought directly into the operating room, which makes it ideal for transcutaneous delivery.A characteristic of diode lasers is that the emitted light diverges rapidly. In addition, the diode laser beam is emitted from a rectangular edge of a diode, and the light emitted along the longer sides of the rectangular edge will diverge more rapidly than that light emitted along the shorter sides of the rectangular edge.

Abstract: A laser system which is compact, requires no cooling means and can produce either substantially continuous output or narrow single pulses of high intensity or pulse bursts comprises a closed spherical pumping cavity having a diffuse reflecting surface and a laser rod and a flashlamp mounted in non-parallel relationship in the cavity. The system is especially useful in ophthalmology.