Abstract: A laser resonator includes a gain medium that produces light from pump energy and a variable light attenuator, which receives light and emits either (i) a first light including a continuous series of micropulses, or (ii) a second light including a series of macropulses at spaced time intervals, where each macropulse includes a series of micropulses. Each micropulse has a duration of 0.1 to 10 microseconds, and a duration of each macropulse is less than the time interval between each macropulse, and the micropulses have a frequency of 5 kHz to 40 kHz.

Abstract: A glass tube is treated with laser cutting for separating a hollow glass body from the glass tube. A laser beam used for laser cutting is focused on a wall of the glass tube.

Abstract: A medical treatment apparatus includes a power and control (PAC) device. The PAC device provides electrical power through a cable to a laser handpiece assembly to electrically power a laser source within the handpiece assembly. The PAC device controls operation of the handpiece assembly and detects an identification of the handpiece assembly. The PAC device also monitors data relating to operation of the handpiece assembly. The PAC device uploads, through a communication network to a user assistance center remote from the PAC device, the handpiece assembly identification and the monitored data.

Abstract: In some examples, a laser-based ophthalmological surgical system includes a therapeutic radiation source, one or more optical elements, and a detector system. The therapeutic radiation source may be configured to emit therapeutic radiation. The one or more optical elements may be configured to direct the therapeutic radiation to a targeted area of an eye of a patient. A temperature of the targeted area may depend on a dosage of the therapeutic radiation. The detector system may be configured to measure thermal radiation emitted by the targeted area responsive to exposure to the therapeutic radiation. The one or more optical elements may be configured to optically couple the detector system to the targeted area.

Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of a transmissive optical system from a blank, material ablation is achieved on the blank with an ablative laser, and the pulse duration of the ablative laser is less than 1 ns, and preferably lies between 3 fs and 100 fs, or between 100 fs and 10 ps.

Abstract: Periodontal disorders such as disorders associated with a dental implant are treated with a laser where an average laser power along with other laser parameters provide particular settings for the treatment, the treatment including one or more of creating a gingival trough or flap around the implant, ablating or denaturing infected tissue via photothermolysis, lasing a pocket around the affected implant, and compressing marginal tissues against the implant.

Abstract: A method for tissue assessment includes ablating tissue at a site within a body of a living subject using an invasive probe applied to the site. At a first stage in ablation of the tissue, first measurements are made of scattered light intensities from the site at a plurality of different wavelengths. At a second stage in the ablation of the tissue, subsequent to the first stage, second measurements are made of the scattered light intensities from the site at the plurality of different wavelengths. Progress of the ablation is assessed by computing different, respective measures of change in the scattered light intensities at the different wavelengths occurring between the first and second measurements, and comparing the respective measures.

Abstract: A system for the treatment of targets under the skin of a patient comprising: a laser device for emitting a first series of laser pulses towards an area of the skin of a patient, where a target which must be reached by said laser pulses is located under said skin; a cooling system of said area of the skin by means of a cooling fluid; a first measurement sensor of a first temperature of said area of skin; a second measurement sensor of the temperature of said cooling fluid; said computer which receives the signals from said first and second temperature measurement sensor; said computer controls said laser device that emits a first series of laser pulses having predetermined power, duration and spacing; said temperature measurement sensor measures the temperature of said area of skin, following said first series of laser pulses; said computer calculates the predicted temperature reached of said area of the skin following the emission of a second series of pulses having said predetermined power, duration and spa

Abstract: A nozzle device (1) comprises a plurality of multi-fluid nozzles (5) and a body (2) with a bore (8). The bore (8) has a laser entrance (82) and a laser exit (81). The nozzle device (1) is adapted to be mounted to a laser medical device such that a laser beam generated by the laser medical device enters the laser entrance (82) of the bore (8) of the body (2) and exits the laser exit (81) of the bore (8) of the body (2). The body (2) houses the multi-fluid nozzles (5) and the multi-fluid nozzles (5) are arranged around the laser exit (81) of the bore (8) of the body (2). The nozzle device (1) allows to conditioning a tissue at and near where it is cut or drilled by the laser beam of the laser medical device. Thus, the nozzle device (1) is particularly suitable for a laser osteotomic device allowing to minimize collateral damages of the tissue when being cut or drilled.

Abstract: An apparatus for pain treatment includes first and second treatment heads, where each treatment head includes one or more light sources with different wavelengths oriented to deliver light to a patient area adjacent to the treatment head. The apparatus includes a first articulated arm pivotably connected to the first treatment head at a first end and a second articulated arm pivotably connected to the second treatment head at a first end. The apparatus includes a handle. A first end of the handle is coupled to the first articulated arm at a second end of the first articulated arm distal to the first end of the first articulated arm. A second end of the handle, distal to the first end of the handle, is coupled to the second articulated arm at a second end of the second articulated arm distal to the first end of the second articulated arm.

Abstract: An ingestible capsule arranged, in use, to cross a human stomach for carrying out a phototherapeutic treatment arranged to combat an infection due to the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the ingestible capsule comprising at least one primary light source arranged to emit an electromagnetic phototherapeutic wave having a wavelength ?1, at least one auxiliary light source arranged to emit an electromagnetic phototherapeutic wave having a wavelength ?2, a wrapper arranged to contain the or each primary light source and the or each auxiliary light source, the wrapper being at least partially transparent to the wavelengths ?1, and ?2, a control unit arranged to selectively activate the or each primary light source and/or the or each auxiliary light source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment apparatus and a control method for the treatment apparatus, and provides a treatment apparatus and a control method for the treatment apparatus, the treatment apparatus comprising: a treatment unit for transferring therapeutic energy at a preset period to a treatment position; a temperature measurement unit for measuring a temperature of the treatment position at a period different from the period at which the therapeutic energy is transferred; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the treatment unit on the basis of a result of measurement by the temperature measurement unit. The present invention enables a user to control a treatment content while accurately understanding the temperature of the treatment position, and thus can improve a treatment effect while preventing thermal damage to tissue.

Abstract: Dermatological systems and methods for providing a therapeutic laser treatment using a handpiece delivering one or more therapeutic laser pulses to a target skin area along a first optical path, and sensing the temperature of the target skin area based on infrared energy radiating from the target skin area along a second optical path generally counterdirectional to the first office action, and sharing a common optical axis with the first optical path for at least a portion of the first and second optical paths. The handpiece may also provide contact cooling for a first skin area comprising the target skin area.

Abstract: A system for producing control data for controlling a laser so as to produce at least one cutting surface in a cornea of an eye of a patient includes a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for establishing a geometry of a lenticule cut, establishing a geometry of a cap cut running substantially parallel to a surface of the cornea, establishing a geometry of an external opening cut arranged outside an optical zone of the eye of the patient, and establishing a geometry of an access cut to connect the cap cut to the external opening cut.

Abstract: The invention relates to an irradiation device and a corresponding method for irradiating a radiation absorbing medium, as well as a hearing aid device and a laser surgery device comprising such an irradiation device. A radiation source is configured to generate one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation and to irradiate the medium with the one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation. A control unit is configured to control the radiation source such that the time course of the power or intensity of at least one pulse of the one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation exhibits a rising slope and/or a falling slope, wherein the rising slope and/or falling slope has a maximum gradient which is smaller than a predetermined gradient value, whereby a generation of optoacoustic waves in the medium in response to the rising slope or falling slope, respectively, is avoided or significantly reduced.

Abstract: There is provided a passive Q-switch pulse laser device including a laser medium, and a saturable absorber. The laser medium is disposed between a pair of reflection means included in an optical resonator. The laser medium is excited by specific excitation light to emit emission light. The saturable absorber is disposed on an optical axis of the optical resonator and on a downstream side of the laser medium between the pair of reflection means. The saturable absorber has a transmittance increased by absorption of the emission light. At least one of the pair of reflection means is a polarizing element. The polarizing element has different reflectances with respect to the respective pieces of emission light in polarization directions orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a customized surgical profile is validated for execution on a surgical system. In some aspects, a customized ophthalmic surgical profile, which includes a surgical pattern and at least one parameter associated with the surgical pattern, is obtained. A pattern definition file executable by a laser-based ophthalmic surgical system is generated based on the customized ophthalmic surgical profile. Execution of the customized ophthalmic surgical profile on the laser-based ophthalmic surgical system is simulated based on the pattern definition file, and the pattern definition file is validated based on an output of the simulation. The validated pattern definition file is provided for execution on the laser-based ophthalmic surgical system.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and devices can be provided for improving the appearance of dermal melasma. This can be done, e.g., focusing electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between about 600 nm and 850 nm into a region of the pigmented dermal tissue at a depth between about 150 and 400 microns, using a lens arrangement having a large numerical aperture between about 0.5 and 0.9. The exemplary local dwell time of the focused radiation can be less than a few milliseconds, and a local fluence provided in the focal region can be between about 50 and 500 J/cm2. The focal region can be scanned through the dermal tissue at speeds on the order of a few cm/s. Such parameters can provide sufficient energy absorption by pigmented cells in the dermis to disrupt them while avoiding damage to the overlying tissue and unpigmented dermal tissue.

Abstract: A device for separating tissue in an eye includes a body configured to be positioned on the eye surface. The body receives air from one or more air supplies. The body includes one or more air supply channels. The separation device includes a plurality of needles extending from the body. Each needle includes a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. The proximal openings of the needles are coupled to the one or more air supply channels. The distal openings of the needles are spaced from the body to be positioned in eye tissue. The one or more air supply channels direct the air from the one or more air supplies into the proximal openings, through the passageways, and out the distal openings of the needles and into the eye tissue. The air applies a pressure to separate the eye tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for medical treatment using a series of pulsed lasers are disclosed. In an example, a system for medical treatment includes a laser source, an optical module, and a controller coupled to the optical module. The laser source is configured to generate a series of pulsed lasers. The optical module is configured to provide a series of focused laser spots on a patient based on the series of pulsed lasers. The controller is configured to control the at least one of the optical module and a stage for holding the patient to move the series of focused laser spots on the patient to form a scan pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dermatological treatment device (1) including a laser head (2) capable of shooting a laser beam (3) towards a target region (4) of the skin (5) of a patient, a pyrometer (6) capable of measuring the temperature (T) of the skin (5) in said target region (4), a timer (7) capable of measuring the duration (D) of the laser shot, and a control means (8) capable of selectively activating or deactivating a laser shot, the control means (8) being configured to deactivate the laser shot when the duration (D) of the shot reaches a duration threshold in seconds (Sd) as determined by a linear function in the form Sd=(To?T)/C, where T is the measured temperature (T) of the skin, To is a target temperature, and C is an average heating coefficient of the skin.

Abstract: The electronic endoscope has an endoscope shaft (2) and an electronics housing (3), and also an optical waveguide (5) having optical fibers (4). The endoscope shaft (2) is formed on the electronics housing (3) or connected thereto, the electronics housing (3) being closed so as to be vapor-tight and liquid-tight from outside. The optical waveguide (5) extends between a distal end (6) of the endoscope shaft (2), directed away from the electronics housing (3), and a light source (7) arranged in the electronics housing (3). The optical waveguide (5) has, at its proximal end (8), an optical waveguide connector (9), with which a light exit point (10) from the electronics housing (3) is closed off in a vapor-tight and liquid-tight manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a non-mydriatic fundus image is disclosed. The apparatus can include a processor and memory, as well as an illumination component and a camera with a variable focus lens. The apparatus can be configured to adjust the focus of the lens to a plurality of different diopter ranges and capture at least one image at each of the plurality of different diopter ranges. Using the captured images, three-dimensional maps of the fundus may be generated. Three-dimensional maps of the fundus may be used to screen or diagnose various diseases.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a volume of tissue mass destroyed. The present invention includes a temperature probe and a laser probe having a temperature sensor. The laser probe and temperature probe are inserted to measure a temperature of the tissue mass and a temperature of tissue mass surrounding the tissue mass. By determining the volume of tissue mass destroyed, a graphical representation of the volume of tissue mass destroyed is provided whereby real-time visual monitoring of the destruction of the tissue mass is achieved.

Abstract: A surgical probe system comprising a surgical probe having a probe needle, an optical fiber incorporated onto the probe needle, wherein a proximal end of the optical fiber is connected to a light source and a distal end of the optical fiber projects illumination light from the light source over a tip of the probe needle; and an adjustment mechanism that varies the illumination light between a first beam having a first numerical aperture that facilitates vitreous visualization and a second beam having a second numerical aperture that facilitates background illumination, wherein the second numerical aperture is larger than the first numerical aperture.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention generally relate to ophthalmic laser procedures and, more particularly, to systems and methods for photorefractive keratectomy. In an embodiment, an ophthalmic surgical laser system comprises a laser source generating a pulsed laser beam and a laser delivery system delivering the pulsed laser beam to a cornea of an eye. A patient interface couples to and constrains the eye relative to the laser delivery system. A controller controls the laser delivery system to perform an anterior surface volume dissection on the cornea.

Abstract: A process for preventing or treating myopia includes applying a pulsed energy, such as a pulsed laser beam, to tissue of an eye having myopia or a risk of having myopia. The source of pulsed energy has energy parameters including wavelength or frequency, duty cycle and pulse train duration, which are selected so as to raise an eye tissue temperature up to eleven degrees Celsius to achieve therapeutic or prophylactic effect, such as stimulating heat shock protein activation in the eye tissue. The average temperature rise of the eye tissue over several minutes is maintained at or below a predetermined level so as not to permanently damage the eye tissue.

Abstract: A spherical radiotherapy phantom for use with a source of radiation to receive a radiation dose distribution along a selected plane includes a spherical body comprising two hemispheres detachably connected together and comprising a solid homogenous material including a hollow compartment with a defined volumetric shape. A cartridge comprising a number of parallel planar plates, each configured to accommodate a planar radiation detecting medium and fitting together to form a shape corresponding to the defined volumetric shape of the hollow compartment, fits form fittingly in the hollow compartment when the two hemispheres are connected together.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and control systems therefor are disclosed. A surgical instrument can comprise: a power circuit comprising a power source and a switch, a microcontroller coupled to the power circuit, a handle comprising an attachment portion, and a control circuit in signal communication with the microcontroller. The attachment portion can comprise a first electrical contact in signal communication with the microcontroller. The control circuit can comprise a sensor configured to detect an attachment state of the attachment portion. The control circuit can communicate the detected attachment state to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller can ignore signals from the first electrical contact when the control circuit communicates a detached state. The attachment portion can comprise a second electrical contact coupled to a second power circuit, and the second power circuit can decouple the second electrical contact and the second power source when the sensor detects the detached state.

Abstract: A method for heat treating biological tissues includes providing a pulsed energy source having energy parameters selected so as to raise a target temperature to a level to achieve a therapeutic effect, while the average temperature rise of the tissue over a prolonged period of time is maintained at or below a predetermined level so as not to permanently damage the target tissue. Application of the pulsed energy source to the target tissue induces a heat shock response and stimulates heat shock protein activation in the target tissue so as to therapeutically treat the target tissue.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus comprising a primary handset, the primary handset being connectable to an auxiliary attachment, the primary handset having a laser source having a primary heat exchanger, and a cooling circuit to provide cooling fluid to the primary heat exchanger to cool the laser source, the cooling circuit having an auxiliary circuit connection, for engagement with an auxiliary attachment.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument for use during a surgical procedure includes a body, a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and an actuation assembly. The body is configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer for selectively generating an oscillation at a first or a second predetermined power level. The shaft assembly projects from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide connected to the ultrasonic blade. The actuation assembly includes a selector collar generally surrounding the body and a plurality of activation buttons disposed radially about the body proximate to the selector collar. The selector collar is selectively movable along the body between a first position and a second position for selecting between the first and second predetermined power levels. The plurality of activation buttons are configured to direct the ultrasonic blade to oscillate with the selected first or second predetermined power levels.

Abstract: A fluorescence imaging device detects fluorescence in parts of the visible and invisible spectrum, and projects the fluorescence image directly on the human body, as well as on a monitor, with improved sensitivity, video frame rate and depth of focus, and enhanced capabilities of detecting distribution and properties of multiple fluorophores. Direct projection of three-dimensional visible representations of florescence on three-dimensional body areas advantageously permits view of it during surgical procedures, including during cancer removal, reconstructive surgery and wound care, etc. A NIR laser and a human visible laser (HVL) are aligned coaxially and scanned over the operating field of view. When the NIR laser passes over the area where the florescent dye is present, it energizes the dye which emits at a shifted NIR frequency detected by a photo diode. The HVL is turned on when emission is detected, providing visual indication of those positions.

Abstract: A photonic treatment apparatus and apparatus for patient care, using a film, such as a phosphorous plate and a casing comprising an aperture provided for films that may be positioned therein to allow for desired treatments of a user, a photonic engine, positioned behind the film, to create photonic pressure. The photonic engine directed toward the film energizes the film achieving a desired wavelength emanation, a first zone of wavelengths that originate from the photonic engine, and a second zone of wavelengths emanating from the film that can be directed toward a target area and used in a method for treating patient conditions. A specific phosphor plate can be used for a desired treatment to customize the output to a specific wavelength necessary for treatment of specific conditions or other possible uses.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring an ablation procedure applied to an object comprises an ultrasound signal providing unit for providing an ultrasound signal. The ultrasound signal is produced by sending ultrasound pulses out to the object, by subsequently receiving dynamic echo series after the ultrasound pulses have been reflected by the object, and finally by generating the ultrasound signal depending on the received dynamic echo series, whereby ultrasound scattering properties of the object are determined that represent blood perfusion. The monitoring apparatus further comprises an ablation depth determination unit for determining an ablation depth from the provided ultrasound signal.

Abstract: Automated systems and methods for creating a plan for performing a procedure (for example, hair transplantation) are provided. In some embodiments, the plan is generated automatically by a processor. A user interface may be configured to allow a user to input one or more of the parameters of the plan. In certain embodiments, the hair transplantation plan takes into consideration existing hair.

Abstract: A method for producing a cut surface in a transparent material using optical radiation. A laser device separates the material using optical radiation and includes an optical unit focussing the radiation along an optical axis into an image field defining an image-field size. A focal position is adjusted transversely along the axis, producing a cut surface extending substantially parallel to the axis and, in projection along the axis, is a curve having a maximum extent. The focus is displaced by adjustment of the focal position along a trajectory curve lying in the cut surface. The cut surface has a maximum extent which is greater than the image-field size. The focal position is moved transverse to the axis along the curve. The image field is displaced transversely, and the focal position is adjusted in an oscillating fashion along the axis on the curve between an upper and lower axial focus position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass systems and methods for customized vision treatments that account for effects associated with corneal flap creation.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for diagnosing a condition of an eye such as macular degeneration and/or cataracts. The system may include an optical system, which may project light at an eye and record lipofuscin fluorescence from a retina of the eye to form an image of the retina. A computing device may process the image to apply one or more image acceptance criteria and/or one or more image clarity criteria. If the image fails to meet the one or more image acceptance criteria, the image may be re-taken. Based on the level of conformance of the image to the one or more image clarity criteria, the system may indicate that the macular pigment level cannot be provided with confidence, indicate that the eye likely has one or more cataracts, and/or calculate and provide the macular pigment content based on a correction factor, if needed.

Abstract: An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus includes: an irradiation optical system including an optical scanner for two-dimensionally scanning spots of a treatment laser beam and an aiming beam on eye tissue; a control unit to control the irradiation optical system to irradiate the treatment beam to a spot position based on an irradiation pattern of spots for treatment beam irradiation and based on an aiming rule associated with the irradiation pattern to irradiate the aiming beam to indicate the treatment beam spot position; and a movement unit to move an irradiation position of each beam. The control unit irradiates the treatment beam to a sequence of spots from a n-th position to a m-th position in association with the irradiation pattern, and then controls the movement unit and irradiates the aiming beam based on the aiming rule to a position different from the spot position just irradiated by the treatment beam.

Abstract: As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, a method and system for making physical modifications to intraocular targets is disclosed. In varying embodiments, the method and system disclosed herein provide many advantages over the current standard of care. Specifically, linear absorption facilitated photodecomposition and linear absorption facilitated plasma generation to modify intraocular tissues and synthetic intraocular lenses.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to the design and use of a low profile ablation catheter with a liquid core for use in laser ablation removal of arterial plaque blockages to restore blood flow.

Abstract: Provided are an amperometric sensor and device for electrochemically quantifying nitrosothiol (RSNO), which is associated with storage and delivery of nitric oxide (NO) in the human body. The amperometric sensor for measuring a concentration of RSNO includes an electrode configured to measure an electric current generated by an oxidation reaction of NO, and a means configured to start and stop photo-induced decomposition of RSNO. Here, the electric current is measured by the oxidation reaction of NO before and after the photo-induced decomposition of RSNO. The amperometric sensor may measure separate signals of RSNO and NO, which are present in the sample at the same time, using one electrode, thereby preventing an inhibition action caused by NO during the measurement of RSNO. Also, the amperometric sensor is simple in structure and easy to manufacture and may be applied to manufacture of a small electrode, and thus may be developed as a sensor for in vivo measurements.

Abstract: A laser system for body tissue treatment has laser source, control device, scanner, and handpiece with treatment head transparent to the laser beam. An incoming laser beam section enters the treatment head longitudinally. The treatment head has a conical output surface with a minimum and a maximum surface radius and a half opening angle for total reflection of the incoming beam section. The reflected beam section is refracted radially into an emerging beam section away from the treatment head through the output surface. The incoming beam section has at the output surface a mean diameter that is ?a difference of maximum surface radius and minimum scanning radius. A conical scanning surface as a part of the conical output surface extends from the minimum scanning radius to the maximum surface radius. The control device controls the scanner for scanning the conical scanning surface with the incoming beam section.

Abstract: This invention is related to refractive eye surgery and specifically regarding guiding a laser beam through free space using a set of rotatable mirrors to guide said laser beam into a hand piece module that converts the laser beam into a two dimensional random overlapping scanning parallel laser beam that is delivered to the eye for ablation of cornea tissue to reshape the cornea of the eye. The rotating mirror set module allows a hand piece having an eye stabilization and distance control unit to be positioned by the surgeon onto a patient's eye for performing the surgery.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter for removing tissue from a body lumen includes a tissue-removing. The tissue-removing element may be coupled to a first longitudinal body portion of the catheter body. The first longitudinal body portion may be rotatable along its length and relative to a second longitudinal body portion to adjust the angular position of the first longitudinal body portion relative to the second longitudinal body portion. An angular-positioning mechanism may be operatively connected to the tissue-removing element for rotating the tissue-removing element relative to the second longitudinal body portion about a rotational axis to adjust an angular tissue-removing position of the tissue-removing element, relative to the longitudinal axis of the body lumen, from an first angular tissue-removing position to a second angular tissue-removing position offset from the first angular tissue-removing position.

Abstract: Laser surgery devices and methods of performing laser surgery using laser surgery devices are described. The laser surgery device may rotate a laser fiber along a longitudinal axis of the laser fiber in a repeating pattern through a user-specified rotational pattern. The laser surgery device may be optionally attached to a surgical device to implement hands-free operation of the laser surgery device.

Abstract: A system and method for treating ophthalmic target tissue, including a light source for generating a beam of light, a beam delivery system that includes a scanner for generating patterns, and a controller for controlling the light source and delivery system to create a dosimetry pattern of the light beam on the ophthalmic target tissue. One or more dosage parameters of the light beam vary within the dosimetry pattern, to create varying exposures on the target tissue. A visualization device observes lesions formed on the ophthalmic target tissue by the dosimetry pattern. The controller selects dosage parameters for the treatment beam based upon the lesions resulting from the dosimetry pattern, either automatically or in response to user input, so that a desired clinical effect is achieved by selecting the character of the lesions as determined by the dosimetry pattern lesions.

Abstract: An optical fiber breakage point may be located by coupling to the optical fiber an out-of-band optical test signal modulated at a periodic modulation pattern. A distance to the breakage point may be determined from a difference between modulation patterns of transmitted and received test signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing material by means of a laser, wherein a sequence of laser pulses is generated and an area of material to be machined is irradiated with the sequence of laser pulses. Methods of this kind are used to cut a number of different materials. One problem with this method is that thermal or mechanical damage occurs in the surroundings of the area being machined and causes impairment of areas of material that are not being machined. The invention solves this problem by the pulse energy of a single pulse in the sequence of laser pulses being lower than the laser pulse energy required to produce material removal using an isolated laser pulse in the region irradiated with the single laser pulse of the sequence of laser pulses.