Abstract: A device for optical coherence tomography comprises a light generator, a dispersive medium, an optical coupler and a detector. The light generator is adapted to generate input pulses of coherent light, each input pulse having an input pulse width. The dispersive medium has an input that is optically coupled to the light generator and an output for output pulses. The dispersive medium is adapted to stretch the input pulse width to an output pulse width by chromatic dispersion. The optical coupler is adapted to couple the output pulses from the output into a reference arm and into a sample arm. The optical coupler is adapted to superimpose light returning from the reference arm and from the sample arm. The detector is adapted to detect an intensity of interference of the superimposed light with a temporal resolution of a fraction of the output pulse width.

Abstract: An apparatus for ophthalmological, in particular refractive, laser surgery includes a laser-beam source (20) for emitting a focused treatment laser beam (20?) and also includes an optical-coherence interferometric measuring device (34), for example an OLCR pachymeter, for measuring the z-position of a predetermined point of an eye to be treated in the coordinate system of the laser-surgery apparatus. A computer (C) serving as evaluating and control unit has been set up to assess, on the basis of the measured z-position, whether a desired treatment point of the eye in the z-direction falls in the focal plane of the treatment laser beam or is offset in relation to said plane. Depending on whether or not the patient is correctly positioned in relation to the focal plane, the computer (C) can bring about a range of actions.

Abstract: An apparatus for ophthalmic laser surgery includes a contact surface for shaping abutment of an eye to be treated, a first radiation-source for making a treatment laser beam available, optical components for directing the treatment laser beam through the contact surface onto the eye, and also a measuring instrument for measuring the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye bearing against the contact surface, whereby the measuring instrument makes measured data available that are representative of the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye at least one point of the same. The apparatus enables a monitoring of the depth of the anterior chamber for a predetermined limiting value being fallen short of and in this way can prevent a dangerous close approach of the posterior surface of the cornea to the anterior surface of the lens when the eye is pressed against the contact surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for a laser-assisted eye-surgery treatment system, comprising a first image-acquisition unit that is designed to acquire a first image (39) of an eye to be treated. The apparatus further comprises a computer arrangement which is designed to detect at least one first feature (40?) of the eye by means of image processing of the first image, and to determine a position and an orientation of the first feature in a coordinate system (S?) of the treatment system. The computer arrangement is also designed to determine a position and an orientation of an incision (66?) to be produced in the eye in the coordinate system (S?) of the treatment system as a function of the determined position and orientation of the first feature (40?) in the coordinate system and as a function of a previously determined relative position and orientation of at least one second feature (64?) of the eye with respect to the first feature (40?).

Abstract: In an apparatus for ophthalmological, in particular refractive, laser surgery a pachymetric measuring device based on an optical-coherence interferometric measuring process is controlled in such a way that the position of the measuring beam emitted by the measuring device follows movements of the eye to be treated. The eye movements are registered by means of a camera of an eye-tracker. For the purpose of changing the position of the measuring beam, a partially transmitting deflecting mirror, via which the measuring beam is routed onto the eye, is movably, in particular tiltably, arranged.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing material with focused electromagnetic radiation, comprises: a source emitting electromagnetic radiation, means for directing the radiation onto the material, means for focusing the radiation on or in the material, a unit for generating a pattern in the optical path of the electromagnetic radiation, an at least partially reflective surface in the optical path before the focus of the focused radiation, said pattern being imaged onto said at least partially reflective surface through at least part of said directing means and said focusing means, at least one detector onto which an image of the pattern is reflected by said surface and which generates electrical signals corresponding to said image, said image containing information on the position of the focus, a computer receiving said electrical signals and programmed to process said image so as to generate an electrical signal depending on the focal position, and a divergence adjustment element arranged in said optical path and adapt

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for ophthalmological, in particular, refractive laser surgery, which aligns a required ablation profile on a specified corneal point, which it calculates from the image data of an eye tracker, taking account of the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye, including the depth of the cornea, calculated individually for the respective patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for ophthalmic laser surgery includes a contact surface for shaping abutment of an eye to be treated, a first radiation-source for making a treatment laser beam available, optical components for directing the treatment laser beam through the contact surface onto the eye and also a measuring device for measuring at least one corneal thickness dimension or/and positional dimension of the eye bearing against the contact surface, whereby the measuring device makes measured data available that are representative of the measured at least one thickness dimension or/and positional dimension. The measuring device preferably serves for positional surveying of the corneal posterior surface of the eye, whereby an electronic evaluating and control arrangement connected to the measuring device brings about a focus control of the treatment laser beam in a manner depending on the measured position of the posterior surface of the cornea.

Abstract: An arrangement for carrying out a surgical treatment of an eye includes a diagnostic instrument which is adapted to register eye-structure data. A data processing unit is adapted to generate, on the basis of the eye-structure data registered by the diagnostic instrument, a structural image that contains at least one mapping of a characteristic eye structure and also at least one positional marking arranged relative to the mapping of the characteristic eye structure. An image-data fade-in device is adapted to fade the structural image generated by the data processing unit into an image generated by a surgical microscope during the implementation of a surgical treatment of the eye.

Abstract: An apparatus for ophthalmic laser surgery includes a contact surface for shaping abutment of an eye to be treated, a first radiation-source for making a treatment laser beam available, optical components for directing the treatment laser beam through the contact surface onto the eye, and also a measuring instrument for measuring the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye bearing against the contact surface, whereby the measuring instrument makes measured data available that are representative of the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye at least one point of the same. The apparatus enables a monitoring of the depth of the anterior chamber for a predetermined limiting value being fallen short of and in this way can prevent a dangerous close approach of the posterior surface of the cornea to the anterior surface of the lens when the eye is pressed against the contact surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for ophthalmic laser surgery comprises a contact surface for formative bearing contact of an eye to be treated, components for providing focussed, pulsed treatment laser radiation and for directing the same through the contact surface onto the eye, a measuring device for measuring the position of the contact surface along the direction of propagation of the treatment laser radiation, the measuring device providing position data representing the measured position of the contact surface at least one location of the contact surface, and an electronic process and control unit, which is connected to the measuring device and which is adapted to control the focus position of the treatment laser radiation in dependence on the position data.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing material with focused electromagnetic radiation, comprises: a source emitting electromagnetic radiation, means for directing the radiation onto the material, means for focusing the radiation on or in the material, a unit for generating a pattern in the optical path of the electromagnetic radiation, an at least partially reflective surface in the optical path before the focus of the focused radiation, said pattern being imaged onto said at least partially reflective surface through at least part of said directing means and said focusing means, at least one detector onto which an image of the pattern is reflected by said surface and which generates electrical signals corresponding to said image, said image containing information on the position of the focus, a computer receiving said electrical signals and programmed to process said image so as to generate an electrical signal depending on the focal position, and a divergence adjustment element arranged in said optical path and adapt

Abstract: An arrangement for carrying out a surgical treatment of an eye includes a diagnostic instrument which is adapted to register eye-structure data. A data processing unit is adapted to generate, on the basis of the eye-structure data registered by the diagnostic instrument, a structural image that contains at least one mapping of a characteristic eye structure and also at least one positional marking arranged relative to the mapping of the characteristic eye structure. An image-data fade-in device is adapted to fade the structural image generated by the data processing unit into an image generated by a surgical microscope during the implementation of a surgical treatment of the eye.

Abstract: In a method of calibrating the pulse energy of a laser device which provides pulsed working laser radiation, by means of the working laser radiation, multiple test ablations, in particular multiple-pulse test ablations, are carried out on one or more test objects, each with different pulse energy. The ablation depth of each of the test ablations is measured, and then, on the basis of the measured ablation depths and a specified setpoint ablation depth, an associated setpoint pulse energy is determined and set on the laser device. According to the invention, the ablation depths are measured by means of a coherent optical interferometric measuring device. The invention also concerns a laser device, in particular to carry out the above method.

Abstract: In a device for conveying liquids or moist gases through a closed duct in a vehicle fuel cell power systems, freezing of the duct is prevented by providing a part of its internal wall flow passages or flow chambers with a nonwoven material. The nonwoven material absorbs liquid in disperse form at low temperatures through its capillary action and inhibits premature ice formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for ophthalmological, in particular refractive, laser surgery includes a laser-beam source (20) for emitting a focused treatment laser beam (20?) and also includes an optical-coherence interferometric measuring device (34), for example an OLCR pachymeter, for measuring the z-position of a predetermined point of an eye to be treated in the coordinate system of the laser-surgery apparatus. A computer (C) serving as evaluating and control unit has been set up to assess, on the basis of the measured z-position, whether a desired treatment point of the eye in the z-direction falls in the focal plane of the treatment laser beam or is offset in relation to said plane. Depending on whether or not the patient is correctly positioned in relation to the focal plane, the computer (C) can bring about a range of actions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for opthalmological, in particular, refractive laser surgery, which aligns a required ablation profile on a specified corneal point, which it calculates from the image data of an eye tracker, taking account of the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye, including the depth of the cornea, calculated individually for the respective patient.

Abstract: In a method of calibrating the pulse energy of a laser device which provides pulsed working laser radiation, by means of the working laser radiation, multiple test ablations, in particular multiple-pulse test ablations, are carried out on one or more test objects, each with different pulse energy. The ablation depth of each of the test ablations is measured, and then, on the basis of the measured ablation depths and a specified setpoint ablation depth, an associated setpoint pulse energy is determined and set on the laser device. According to the invention, the ablation depths are measured by means of a coherent optical interferometric measuring device. The invention also concerns a laser device, in particular to carry out the above method.

Abstract: In a device for conveying liquids or moist gases through a closed duct in a vehicle fuel cell power systems, freezing of the duct is prevented by providing a part of its internal wall flow passages or flow chambers with a nonwoven material. The nonwoven material, absorbs liquid in disperse form at low temperatures through its capillary action and inhibits premature ice formation.

Abstract: A compound having a space spinel structure and the formula Si3-x Cx N4 wherein 0<x?1. An example of the compound is spinel silicon carbonitride. The compound of the invention may be made by providing a silicon carbo-diimide compound and subjecting the compound to elevated temperature and pressure conditions.