Abstract: The invention provides near-term customized ablation capabilities for treatment of corneal irregularities by ablating laterally offset refractive therapy profiles. These treatment profiles may, when centered on the eye, be suitable for treatment of standard refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and cylindrical astigmatism. By selectively offsetting one or more of these ablation profiles at selected points across the corneal surface, the laser system can reduce refractive errors resulting from corneal irregularities such as irregular astigmatism, corneal steepening in one quadrant, asymmetrical astigmatism, irregularities inadvertently produced by a prior refractive treatment (such as radial keratotomy incisions, a decentered ablation, or the like), granular dystrophy, diffuse, asymmetric warpage as a result of post-corneal transplants, bilateral keratoconus, penetrating keratoplasty, or the like.

Abstract: A method of determining the dimensions of a laser beam spot, comprising: scanning the laser beam in a path across a reference-edge having a photodetector positioned therebehind; and measuring an output signal from the photodetector during the scanning, the output signal corresponding to an area of the laser beam spot incident on the photodetector during the scanning. A method of aligning a laser beam delivery system, the method comprising: positioning a measurement/alignment tool at a target location; firing the laser beam on the tool; observing the laser beam using the tool; and adjusting the system in response to the sensed laser beam.

Abstract: A laser surgery system having a computer control system coupled to a laser subsystem and a patient seat. The control system is coupled to the laser through a laser alignment system. The control system can be coupled to the patient seat through a patient alignment system. The control system sends a nominal position signal to move the patient seat, laser subsystem, or both so that the patient's first eye is moved into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can send a second nominal signal to move the patient's second eye into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can optionally comprise both an operator display and an assistant display. The assistant display provides real-time information to an assistant positioned at an assistant station adjacent the patient seat. The control system can be programmed to display edit fields with different colors to provide an obvious indication of the refractive information of the eye.

Abstract: An ophthalmological laser surgery system having a laser, associated elements for delivering an optical beam from the laser to a patient eye location, a control unit for controlling the operation of the system and a system input/output device, is enabled by a patient data card. The data card originally contains both patient background and system control information, which is transferred to the control unit via the input/output device. During system operation, newly generated information, such as laser beam power, is stored in the data card to provide an independent record of the surgical procedure actually performed. After one use, the data card is invalidated to prevent further use.

Abstract: The invention provides near-term customized ablation capabilities for treatment of corneal irregularities by ablating laterally offset refractive therapy profiles. These treatment profiles may, when centered on the eye, be suitable for treatment of standard refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and cylindrical astigmatism. By selectively offsetting one or more of these ablation profiles at selected points across the corneal surface, the laser system can reduce refractive errors resulting from corneal irregularities such as irregular astigmatism, corneal steepening in one quadrant, asymmetrical astigmatism, irregularities inadvertently produced by a prior refractive treatment (such as radial keratotomy incisions, a decentered ablation, or the like), granular dystrophy, diffuse, asymmetric warpage as a result of post-corneal transplants, bilateral keratoconus, penetrating keratoplasty, or the like.

Abstract: A method of determining the dimensions of a laser beam spot, comprising: scanning the laser beam in a path across a reference-edge having a photodetector positioned therebehind; and measuring an output signal from the photodetector during the scanning, the output signal corresponding to an area of the laser beam spot incident on the photodetector during the scanning.

Abstract: Improved systems, devices, and methods measure and/or change the shape of a tissue surface, particularly for use in laser eye surgery. Fluorescence of the tissue may occur at and immediately underlying the tissue surface. The excitation energy can be readily absorbed by the tissue within a small tissue depth, and may be provided from the same source used for photodecomposition of the tissue. Changes in the fluorescence spectrum of a tissue correlate with changes in the tissue's hydration.

Abstract: A near-term customized ablation capabilities for treatment of corneal irregularities by ablating laterally offset refractive therapy profiles is provided. These treatment profiles may, when centered on the eye, be suitable for treatment of standard refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and cylindrical astigmatism. By selectively offsetting one or more of these ablation profiles at selected points across the corneal surface, the laser system can reduce refractive errors resulting from corneal irregularities such as irregular astigmatism, corneal steepening in one quadrant, asymmetrical astigmatism, irregularities inadvertently produced by a prior refractive treatment (such as radial keratotomy incisions, a decentered ablation, or the like), granular dystrophy, diffuse, asymmetric warpage as a result of post-corneal transplants, bilateral keratoconus, penetrating keratoplasty, or the like.

Abstract: A method of determining the dimensions of a laser beam spot, comprising: scanning the laser beam in a path across a reference-edge having a photodetector positioned therebehind; and measuring an output signal from the photodetector during the scanning, the output signal corresponding to an area of the laser beam spot incident on the photodetector during the scanning. A method of aligning a laser beam delivery system, the method comprising: positioning a measurement/alignment tool at a target location; firing the laser beam on the tool; observing the laser beam using the tool; and adjusting the system in response to the sensed laser beam.

Abstract: A laser surgery system having a computer control system coupled to a laser subsystem and a patient seat. The control system is coupled to the laser through a laser alignment system. The control system can be coupled to the patient seat through a patient alignment system. The control system sends a nominal position signal to move the patient seat, laser subsystem, or both so that the patient's first eye is moved into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can send a second nominal signal to move the patient's second eye into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can optionally comprise both an operator display and an assistant display. The assistant display provides real-time information to an assistant positioned at an assistant station adjacent the patient seat. The control system can be programmed to display edit fields with different colors to provide an obvious indication of the refractive information of the eye.

Abstract: A laser surgery system having a computer control system coupled to a laser subsystem and a patient seat. The control system is coupled to the laser through a laser alignment system. The control system can be coupled to the patient seat through a patient alignment system. The control system sends a nominal position signal to move the patient seat, laser subsystem, or both so that the patient's first eye is moved into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can send a second nominal signal to move the patient's second eye into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can optionally comprise both an operator display and an assistant display. The assistant display provides real-time information to an assistant positioned at an assistant station adjacent the patient seat. The control system can be programmed to display edit fields with different colors to provide an obvious indication of the refractive information of the eye.

Abstract: A laser surgery system having a computer control system coupled to a laser subsystem and a patient seat. The control system is coupled to the laser through a laser alignment system. The control system can be coupled to the patient seat through a patient alignment system. The control system sends a nominal position signal to move the patient seat, laser subsystem, or both so that the patient's first eye is moved into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can send a second nominal signal to move the patient's second eye into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can optionally comprise both an operator display and an assistant display. The assistant display provides real-time information to an assistant positioned at an assistant station adjacent the patient seat. The control system can be programmed to display edit fields with different colors to provide an obvious indication of the refractive information of the eye.

Abstract: An ophthalmological laser surgery system having a laser, associated elements for delivering an optical beam from the laser to a patient eye location, a control unit for controlling the operation of the system and a system input/output device, is enabled by a patient data card. The data card originally contains both patient background and system control information, which is transferred to the control unit via the input/output device. During system operation, newly generated information, such as laser beam power, is stored in the data card to provide an independent record of the surgical procedure actually performed. After one use, the data card is invalidated to prevent further use.

Abstract: A visual fixation system which enhances the alignment between the eye and a laser beam of a laser eye surgery system, the fixation system often having an adjustable optical train. The optical train of the fixation system allows an eye having a significant refractive error to be accurately focused at a fixation target. To accommodate the refractive error, the adjustable optical train will often project an image of the target so that the projected image is in focus in front of or behind the plane of the patient's eye. The proper projection distance is calculated to accommodate the refractive error of the eye, the calculation preferably based at least in-part on the eye glass prescription for that eye.

Abstract: An ophthalmological laser surgery system having a laser, associated elements for delivering an optical beam from the laser to a patient eye location, a control unit for controlling the operation of the system and a system input/output device, is enabled by a patient data card. The data card originally contains both patient background and system control information, which is transferred to the control unit via the input/output device. During system operation, newly generated information, such as laser beam power, is stored in the data card to provide an independent record of the surgical procedure actually performed. After one use, the data card is invalidated to prevent further use.

Abstract: Systems and methods derive relative eye position by tracking a boundary such as the limbus. Light can be scamed along the limbus, and measured intensity of reflected light processed to derive the eye's position.

Abstract: An ophthalmological laser surgery system having a laser, associated elements for delivering an optical beam from the laser to a patient eye location, a control unit for controlling the operation of the system and a system input/output device, is enabled by a patient data card. The data card originally contains both patient background and system control information, which is transferred to the control unit via the input/output device. During system operation, newly generated information, such as laser beam power, is stored in the data card to provide an independent record of the surgical procedure actually performed. After one use, the data card is invalidated to prevent further use.

Abstract: The invention provides near-term customized ablation capabilities for treatment of corneal irregularities by ablating laterally offset refractive therapy profiles. These treatment profiles may, when centered on the eye, be suitable for treatment of standard refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and cylindrical astigmatism. By selectively offsetting one or more of these ablation profiles at selected points across the corneal surface, the laser system can reduce refractive errors resulting from corneal irregularities such as irregular astigmatism, corneal steepening in one quadrant, asymmetrical astigmatism, irregularities inadvertently produced by a prior refractive treatment (such as radial keratotomy incisions, a decentered ablation, or the like), granular dystrophy, diffuse, asymmetric warpage as a result of post-corneal transplants, bilateral keratoconus, penetrating keratoplasty, or the like.

Abstract: Improved systems, methods, and apparatus for calibrating a laser ablation system by measuring the optical power and shape of a test surface that has been ablated by energy delivered from a laser. The quality of the ablated test surface can be monitored to minimize undesirable laser system performance, such as might result from flawed internal optics, misalignment, poor laser fluence and the like. Calibration accuracy is generally enhanced by analyzing distortions of a geometrical pattern superimposed with the ablation test surface. The interaction of the pattern and the lens can be analyzed using a microscope, video camera connector, and other existing components of the laser ablation system, and can also provide quantitative test surface characteristics which may be used to accurately adjust the laser system.

Abstract: The invention provides improved devices, systems, and methods for removing the epithelial layer of a patient's cornea, particularly in preparation for laser resculpting of the cornea. The invention makes use of an epithelial removal tool which is integrated into a laser eye surgery system. Structurally supporting the epithelial removal tool relative to the optical train allows precise control over the positioning of the tool relative to the cornea. The force and/or duration of epithelial abrasion can be controlled to avoid removal of excess corneal tissues, and the accurate alignment of the removal tool allows the total area of epithelium removal to be minimized while ensuring that adequate access is provided for resculpting. An orbital or concentric movement of the abrasion surface may provide a more even abrasion.