Abstract: An eye-manipulator can include an applicator-arm and an eye-contact element, the applicator-arm providing mechanical control over the eye-contact element, and the eye-contact element, connected to the applicator-arm, can be configured to make contact with an eye. A method of manipulating an eye includes aligning the eye-contact element with an eye by adjusting the applicator-arm of the eye-manipulator; contacting the eye with the eye-contact element of the eye-manipulator; and manipulating the eye with the eye-manipulator to assist a docking of a patient interface of an ophthalmic system onto the eye.

Abstract: The embodiments include method of nonlinear optical photodynamic therapy of tissue including the steps of providing pulsed infrared laser light for two-photon excited fluorescence tissue exposure, and selectively focusing the pulsed infrared laser light within the tissue at a focal plane to activate a photosensitizing agent to generate free radicals within a highly resolved axial and lateral spatial domain in the tissue. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for performing nonlinear optical photodynamic therapy of tissue including a pulsed infrared laser for providing two-photon excited fluorescence beam tissue exposure, a scanner for selectively and controllably moving the tissue and the beam relative to each other, and optics for selectively focusing the pulsed infrared laser light within the tissue at a point in a focal plane to activate a photosensitizing agent to generate free radicals within a highly resolved axial and lateral spatial domain in the tissue.

Abstract: An ophthalmic system is provided that includes an ophthalmic imaging device to generate an image of a portion of an imaged eye of a patient, an image processor to determine a misalignment of the imaged eye and the imaging device by processing the generated image, and to generate a control signal according to the determined misalignment, and a misalignment-reduction system to receive the control signal, and to generate a misalignment-reduction response. The misalignment-reduction system can include a fixation light system or a gantry. In some cases a locator light system may provide additional alignment information for the image processor.

Abstract: An electronically controlled fixation light system is described for ophthalmic systems. The ophthalmic system can include an ophthalmic imaging device that generates an image of a portion of an imaged eye, a fixation light controller that includes an input module, configured to receive an input in relation to the image generated by the ophthalmic imaging device, and a control signal generator that generates an electronic fixation light control signal in response to the received input, and a fixation light source, configured to receive the fixation light control signal, and to generate a fixation light according to the received fixation light control signal. A surgeon can image a portion of an eye with the imaging device, determine a misalignment of the imaged eye relative to the imaging device based on the image, and control the fixation light with an electronic control signal to reduce the determined misalignment.

Abstract: A patient interface for an ophthalmic system can include an attachment module, attachable to the ophthalmic system, and a contact module, configured to accommodate a viscoelastic substance between the patient interface and a procedure eye. The viscoelastic substance can include a fluid, a liquid, a gel, a cream, an artificial tear, a film, an elastic material, or a viscous material. The refractive index of the viscoelastic substance can be within a range of approximately 1.24-1.52 at an operating wavelength of the ophthalmic system. The patient interface can further include input ports, output ports, and a suction system. It can be an integrated design or a multi-piece patient interface. The viscoelastic substance can be provided by injection, on the cornea, at the contact module, or in a space bounded by soft elastic films or membranes, such as in a bag.

Abstract: A method of corneal laser surgery is disclosed. A first periphery is defined at an anterior surface of the cornea. This first periphery bounds a first planar area. A second periphery is defined within stromal tissue of the cornea. This second periphery bounds a second planar area. The second planar area is sized differently than the first planar area. A layer of stromal tissue which is bounded by the second periphery is subsequently incised. Stromal tissue between substantial portions of the first periphery and the second periphery is also incised, such that at least some corneal tissue disposed between the first and second peripheries remains connected to corneal tissue outside of the first and second peripheries.

Abstract: A method for integrated eye surgery can include determining a cataract-target region in a lens of the eye; applying cataract-laser pulses to photodisrupt a portion of the determined cataract-target region; determining a glaucoma-target region or an astigmatism-target region in a peripheral region of the eye; and applying surgical laser pulses to create one or more incisions in the glaucoma- or astigmatism-target region by photodisruption; wherein the steps of the method are performed within an integrated surgical procedure. The laser pulses can be applied before making an incision on a cornea of the eye. The integrated surgical procedure may involve using the same pulsed laser source for three functions: for photodisrupting the target region, for making an incision on the capsule of the lens and for making an incision on the cornea of the eye.

Abstract: A patient interface device adapted to provide an interface between a cornea and a surgical laser system. A frame has an applanation end and an attachment end which is adapted to couple to the surgical laser system. A skirt is affixed to the applanation end of the frame and is adapted to seal against the anterior surface of the cornea to form a chamber. A lens is disposed near the applanation end of the frame and is supported by a flexible support which affixes the lens to the frame.

Abstract: An interface for coupling an eye to a surgical laser is disclosed. A lens cone includes a base ring opposite an apex ring. The base ring defines a first plane and is adapted to couple to the delivery tip of the laser such that the first plane has a predetermined position relative to the delivery tip. An applanation lens is affixed to the apex ring and has a surface disposed in a second plane such that the second plane is parallel to and has a predetermined position relative to the first plane. A gripper is engagable with the lens cone. An attachment ring is affixed to the gripper and is adapted to couple to the anterior surface of the eye. When the lens cone and gripper are engaged, the applanation lens contacts the anterior surface of the eye, placing the anterior surface in spatial registration with the delivery tip.

Abstract: A system and method of resecting corneal tissue for transplantation is disclosed. In each of the recipient cornea and the donor cornea, an annular incision is made at a predetermined incision depth. A first sidecut incision is made in each cornea, running from the outer periphery of the annular incision to one of the anterior corneal surface or the posterior corneal surface. The first sidecut incision forms an acute angle with the annular incision. A second sidecut incision is also made in each cornea, running from the inner periphery of the annular incision to the other of the anterior corneal surface or the posterior corneal surface. The second sidecut incision forms an acute angle with the annular incision. The combination of the incisions in each cornea resects corneal tissue from the recipient cornea and donor tissue from the donor cornea. The donor tissue is grafted into the recipient cornea.

Abstract: A system and method for resecting and transplanting corneal tissue is disclosed. In a recipient cornea, a resection depth from the anterior surface of the recipient cornea is determined based upon a biomechanical model of the recipient cornea. A resection incision for resecting a posterior portion of the recipient cornea is made at the resection depth. Preferably, the incision is made using a surgical laser. Optionally, a contact lens may be placed against the anterior surface of the recipient cornea, wherein the shape of the anterior surface is conformed to the shape of the contact lens.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and system for determining the position and alignment of a plane in relation to an intersecting axis and using that known position and alignment to allow for corrections to be made when using the plane as a reference plane. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system for determining the angle of tilt of a planar surface in relation to a laser beam, and using the determined angle of tilt to calculate a correction factor to be applied to the laser beam. Briefly stated, the method and system ultimately calculates a correction factor, z-offset, that is applied when using the laser beam in a procedure.

Abstract: A patient interface device adapted to provide an interface between a cornea and a surgical laser system. A frame has an applanation end and an attachment end which is adapted to couple to the surgical laser system. A skirt is affixed to the applanation end of the frame and is adapted to seal against the anterior surface of the cornea to form a chamber. A lens is disposed near the applanation end of the frame and is supported by a flexible support which affixes the lens to the frame.

Abstract: A method and system for improved material processing using a laser beam. The method and system includes directing a laser beam above, at or below the surface of the material in one or more preferred patterns and with preferred laser pulse characteristics specific to the material to reduce or mitigate the accumulation or effects of gas, debris, fluid, or other by-products of photodisruption either at the location where additional laser pulses are being placed or in other sensitive locations in the material.

Abstract: An interface for coupling an eye to a surgical laser is disclosed. A lens cone includes a base ring opposite an apex ring. The base ring defines a first plane and is adapted to couple to the delivery tip of the laser such that the first plane has a predetermined position relative to the delivery tip. An applanation lens is affixed to the apex ring and has a surface disposed in a second plane such that the second plane is parallel to and has a predetermined position relative to the first plane. A gripper is engagable with the lens cone. An attachment ring is affixed to the gripper and is adapted to couple to the anterior surface of the eye. When the lens cone and gripper are engaged, the applanation lens contacts the anterior surface of the eye, placing the anterior surface in spatial registration with the delivery tip.

Abstract: A method of corneal laser surgery is disclosed. A first periphery is defined at an anterior surface of the cornea. This first periphery bounds a first planar area. A second periphery is defined within stromal tissue of the cornea. This second periphery bounds a second planar area. The second planar area is sized differently than the first planar area. A layer of stromal tissue which is bounded by the second periphery is subsequently incised. Stromal tissue between substantial portions of the first periphery and the second periphery is also incised, such that at least some corneal tissue disposed between the first and second peripheries remains connected to corneal tissue outside of the first and second peripheries.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and system for determining the position and alignment of a plane in relation to an intersecting axis and using that known position and alignment to allow for corrections to be made when using the plane as a reference plane. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system for determining the angle of tilt of a planar surface in relation to a laser beam, and using the determined angle of tilt to calculate a correction factor to be applied to the laser beam. Briefly stated, the method and system ultimately calculates a correction factor, z-offset, that is applied when using the laser beam in a procedure.

Abstract: A closed-loop focusing system and method positions a focusing assembly to a desired positioned. A feedback positioning device, such as a linear encoder, provides an actual or “read” value for the linear movement of the focusing assembly. The desired position is compared to the actual position of the focusing assembly. If the two values are outside of a predetermined tolerance or valid range, then an audible or visual warning will be given. When a laser source is utilized with the focusing system, laser operation will be prevented if the two values are outside of an acceptable range. However, if the difference between the desired position and the actual position are within an acceptable range, the focusing assembly is repositioned to allow real-time systematic correction of the position of the focusing assembly.

Abstract: A method for applanating an anterior surface of a cornea and coupling the eye to a surgical laser is disclosed. A interface is provided which has a central orifice and top and bottom surfaces. A suction ring is removably coupled to the bottom surface of the interface. The interface is positioned over an operative area of an eye, such that the suction ring comes into proximate contact with the surface of the eye. A suction is applied to the suction ring to stabilize the position of the interface relative to the operative area of the eye. An applanation lens is positioned in proximate contact with the operative area of the eye. Finally, the applanation lens is coupled to the interface to stabilize the position of the lens relative to the operative area of the eye.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and system for determining the position and alignment of a plane in relation to an intersecting axis and using that known position and alignment to allow for corrections to be made when using the plane as a reference plane. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system for determining the angle of tilt of a planar surface in relation to a laser beam, and using the determined angle of tilt to calculate a correction factor to be applied to the laser beam. Briefly stated, the method and system ultimately calculates a correction factor, z-offset, that is applied when using the laser beam in a procedure.