Ophthalmic Patents (Class 606/4)
  • Patent number: 10588694
    Abstract: A device comprises an energy source capable of generating short bursts of energy at a variable pulse repetition rates. The repetition rates range from a single shot to several hundred Mega-Hertzs so that selective, three dimensional interactions with a volumetric zone of skin or issue can be created substantially without damage or substantial changes to overlying or underlying or surrounding tissue or skin. A method and a device for treating targeted material and targeted tissue are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Joseph Neev
  • Patent number: 10588781
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic treatment device and a method of operating same, and provides an ophthalmic treatment device and a method of operating same, the device comprising: a treatment beam generating unit for generating a treatment beam; a beam delivery unit for forming a path through which the treatment beam generated by the treatment beam generating unit travels to a treatment region disposed in a fundus; a monitoring unit for irradiating a detecting beam along the path through which the treatment beam travels, and detecting information of the state of the treatment region based on interference information on the detecting beam reflected from the treatment region; and a controller for controlling the operation of the treatment beam generating unit based on information on the state of the treatment region detected by the monitoring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: LUTRONIC VISION INC
    Inventors: Jong Min Kim, Tae Ho Ha
  • Patent number: 10575987
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic treatment device and a control method therefor, and provides an ophthalmic treatment device and a control method therefor, the ophthalmic treatment device comprising: a treatment beam irradiation unit for irradiating a therapeutic beam to a fundus oculi; a guide image unit for acquiring a guide image of an area including a position onto which the therapeutic beam is irradiated among the area of the fundus oculi; and a display unit for displaying a fundus oculi image of a patient and the position to which the therapeutic beam is irradiated on the fundus oculi image, using the guide image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: LUTRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tae Ho Ha
  • Patent number: 10555835
    Abstract: A laser eye surgery system used to treat vitreous bodies includes a laser source, a ranging subsystem, an integrated optical subsystem, and a patient interface assembly. The laser source produces a treatment beam that includes a plurality of laser pulses. The ranging subsystem produces a source beam used to locate one or more structures of an eye. In some embodiments, the ranging subsystem includes an optical coherence tomography (OCT) pickoff assembly that includes a first optical wedge and a second optical wedge separated from the first optical wedge. The OCT pickoff assembly is configured to divide an OCT source beam into a sample beam and a reference beam. The integrated optical subsystem is used to scan the treatment beam and the sample beam. In other embodiments, Purkinje imaging, Scheimpflug imaging, confocal or nonlinear optical microscopy, ultrasound, stereo imaging, fluorescence imaging, or other medical imaging technique may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Georg Schuele, Phillip H. Gooding, Alexander Vankov, Michael W. Wiltberger
  • Patent number: 10548771
    Abstract: A treatment apparatus for surgical correction of presbyopia or defective eyesight in an eye of a patient. The treatment apparatus includes a laser device configured to treat lens tissue of the eye by irradiation of pulsed laser radiation with the laser radiation being focused on target points arranged in a pattern within the lens. An interface supplies measurement data on parameters of the eye and/or defective-eyesight data on the eyesight defect to be corrected in the eye, and defines a volume located within the lens using the supplied measurement data and defective-eyesight data, the volume being defined so as to achieve the desired correction of presbyopia or defective eyesight when removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Jackson Coleman, Dan Z. Reinstein, Manfred Dick
  • Patent number: 10548715
    Abstract: A system and method for inserting an intraocular lens in a patient's eye includes a light source for generating a light beam, a scanner for deflecting the light beam to form an enclosed treatment pattern that includes a registration feature, and a delivery system for delivering the enclosed treatment pattern to target tissue in the patient's eye to form an enclosed incision therein having the registration feature. An intraocular lens is placed within the enclosed incision, wherein the intraocular lens has a registration feature that engages with the registration feature of the enclosed incision. Alternately, the scanner can make a separate registration incision for a post that is connected to the intraocular lens via a strut member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Culbertson, Mark Blumenkranz, David Angeley, George Marcellino, Michael Wiltberger, Dan Andersen
  • Patent number: 10548470
    Abstract: A method of imaging an object includes obtaining an image data set from a raster scan. The image data set has a plurality of data points, each data point having an associated location and intensity; generating a reduced data set by selectively removing one or more data points from the image data set based upon an assigned probability of retaining the one or more data points in the data set, the assigned probability being a function of the intensity of a data point; generating a triangulation graph as a planar subdivision having faces that are triangles, the vertices of which are the data points and the edges of which are adjacent vertices; and segmenting the triangulated data set by finding a path with lowest cost between that vertex and every other vertex, wherein the cost is a function of the respective intensity of the vertices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Javier Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10537476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic treatment apparatus and to a beam control method therefor. The ophthalmic treatment apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a beam generating unit for generating beams having different pulse energies; a bubble sensing unit for sensing whether or not bubbles have been generated, as well as the amount of generated bubbles, on the basis of the pulse energy of the beam generated by the beam generating unit and radiated onto the treatment region of an eyeball; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the beam generating unit such that the pulse energy of the beam generated by the beam generating unit can be adjusted in accordance with the signal from the bubble sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Lutronic Vision Inc
    Inventors: Tae Ho Ha, Cheol San An
  • Patent number: 10537475
    Abstract: An ophthalmic device for treating eye tissue using laser pulses comprises a projection optical unit for focused projection of the laser pulses and a scanning device, with a movable mirror, arranged downstream from the projection optical unit, for deflecting the laser pulses projected by the projection optical unit in at least one deflection direction. The ophthalmic device moreover comprises an optical correction element arranged downstream of the scanning device, which correction element is configured to image, in a focused manner, the laser pulses deflected by the scanning device on an intended treatment area in the eye tissue. The optical correction element renders it possible to therefore correct image field curvatures caused by the scanning device arranged downstream from the projection optical unit and, for example, image the deflected laser pulses in focus onto a plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG
    Inventor: Christian Rathjen
  • Patent number: 10517761
    Abstract: Systems and methods for localizing intraocular lens and/or existing refractive index patterns, to laser write-patterns, and to refractive index patterns in order to modify the refractive index by application of femtosecond laser pulses. OCT-based confocal detection and sectional image systems are provided for localization purposes, the systems being particularly suitable for the detection of phase patterns in addition to the localization of the IOL. With respect to laser write-patterns, the modification of existing refractive index patterns in the IOL is carried out by destroying existing structures or supplementing existing refractive index patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Krampert, Johannes Kindt, Daniel Bublitz, Robert Pomraenke, Martin Kühner
  • Patent number: 10492951
    Abstract: A method and system perform an ophthalmic procedure on an eye having an optical path from the lens to the retina. An image of at least part of the eye is received in a data processing unit. The image includes the optical path. The data processing unit determines keep out zone(s) and identifies undesirable feature(s) based on the image. The keep out zone(s) include the retina. The data processing unit also selects one of the undesirable feature(s) for removal. At least part of the undesirable feature is outside of the keep out zone(s). Confirmation for removal of the undesirable feature is received in the data processing unit. In response to receiving the confirmation, a control unit controls a laser to perform laser removal the at least the portion of the undesirable feature without targeting any portion of the keep out zone(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Tammo Heeren
  • Patent number: 10478342
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic laser device includes a pulsed laser configured to produce radiation focused along at treatment beam path. A variably adjustable beam deflector unit and a focusing lens system are disposed in the treatment beam path. The deflector unit is configured to focus the radiation in different target volumes. Measuring equipment is configured to determine a shape and position of optical interfaces along a detection beam path. A control unit is configured to control the laser and the deflector unit and to implement steps including determining a shape and position of an interface of a membrane of a capsular bag of an eye located in a treatment area using the measuring equipment, determining coordinates of a target volume such that, on irradiation of the target volume, a pressure wave runs from the target volume to the anterior or posterior membrane, and adjusting the deflector unit to the target determined volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Manfred Dick, Juergen Kuehnert, Matthias Reich
  • Patent number: 10478341
    Abstract: A method for cataract surgery on an eye of a patient includes scanning a first focus position of a first pulsed laser beam at a first pulse energy in a first scanning pattern to photodisrupt a tissue structure of a lens with a plurality of pulses of the first laser beam to form one or more cuts within the lens, the cuts being short of reaching a side edge of the lens and being configured to divide the lens into two or more segments which are attached to each other in regions adjacent the side edge of the lens; and afterwards, completely separating the two or more segments of the lens from each other by scanning a second focus position of a second pulsed laser beam having a second pulse energy higher than the first pulse energy in a second scanning pattern that is co-registered to the first scanning pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Friedman, Barry Seibel, William Culbertson, Georg Schuele, Dan Andersen
  • Patent number: 10449091
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for cataract intervention. In one embodiment a system comprises a laser source configured to produce a treatment beam comprising a plurality of laser pulses; an integrated optical system comprising an imaging assembly operatively coupled to a treatment laser delivery assembly such that they share at least one common optical element, the integrated optical system being configured to acquire image information pertinent to one or more targeted tissue structures and direct the treatment beam in a 3-dimensional pattern to cause breakdown in at least one of the targeted tissue structures; and a controller operatively coupled to the laser source and integrated optical system, and configured to adjust the laser beam and treatment pattern based upon the image information, and distinguish two or more anatomical structures of the eye based at least in part upon a robust least squares fit analysis of the image information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David G. Angeley, Phillip H. Gooding, Bruce Woodley, George R. Marcellino
  • Patent number: 10441465
    Abstract: A method and surgical system including a laser source for generating a pulsed laser beam, an imaging system including a detector, shared optics configured for directing the pulsed laser beam to an object to be sampled and confocally deflecting back-reflected light from the object to the detector, a patient interface, through which the pulsed laser beam is directed, the patient interface having, a cup with a large and small opening, and a notched ring inside the cup; and a controller operatively coupled to the laser source, the imaging system and the shared optics, the controller configured to align the eye for procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: John S. Hart, David A. Dewey, Georg Schuele, Phillip H. Gooding, Christine J. Beltran, Javier G. Gonzalez, Katrina B. Sheehy, Jeffrey A. Golda, Raymond Woo, Madeleine C. O'Meara, Noah Bareket, Thomas Z. Teisseyre, Bruce Woodley
  • Patent number: 10441358
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laser irradiating apparatus including a laser resonator configured to generate a laser beam and output the laser beam forwards, a first passage part located in front of the laser resonator and configured to allow the laser beam generated from the laser resonator to pass through, and a second passage part located as being spaced from the first passage part and configured to allow the laser beam passing through the first passage part to pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Lameditech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 10434330
    Abstract: A process for safely providing retinal phototherapy includes generating an interferometric signal or pattern by applying a near infrared light beam to a retinal pigment epithelium of a retina of an eye. A level or concentration of melanin within the retinal pigment epithelium of the retina is compared to a normal level or concentration using the detected interferometric signal or pattern. One or more treatment parameters of the retinal phototherapy is adjusted if the level or concentration of melanin in the retinal pigment epithelium of the eye exceeds the normal level or concentration by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ojai Retinal Technology, LLC
    Inventors: David B. Chang, Jeffrey K. Luttrull
  • Patent number: 10420677
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for indirectly determining weight on eye, the weight resulting from contact between the eye and a docking apparatus for laser ophthalmic surgery. The system includes a docking apparatus, a measuring device, a display and a processor that determines a relative distance between a detectable position of a component of the docking apparatus and a neutral position of the eye, determines the weight on eye by reference to sensed force-distance reference data, and generates and transmits a pictorial representation of weight on eye to a display. The disclosure further provides a method for indirectly determining weight on eye, the weight resulting from contact between the eye and a docking apparatus for laser ophthalmic surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Michael Wittnebel, Martin Starigk
  • Patent number: 10406032
    Abstract: A laser eye surgery system that has a patient interface between the eye and the laser system relying on suction to hold the interface to the eye, the patient interface using liquid used as a transmission medium for the laser. During a laser procedure sensors monitor the level of liquid within the patient interface and send a signal to control electronics if the level drops below a threshold value. The sensor may be mounted on the inside of the patient interface, within a fluid chamber. Alternatively, a gas flow meter may be added to a suction circuit for the patient interface that detects abnormal suction levels indicating low fluid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Phillip H. Gooding, Christine J. Beltran, Brent Eikanas, Michael A. Campos
  • Patent number: 10383689
    Abstract: A method and delivery system are disclosed for creating an aqueous flow pathway in the trabecular meshwork, juxtacanalicular trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal of an eye for reducing elevated intraocular pressure. Pulsed laser radiation is delivered from the distal end of a fiber-optic probe sufficient to cause photoablation of selected portions of the trabecular meshwork, the juxtacanalicular trabecular meshwork and an inner wall of Schlemm's canal in the target site. The fiber-optic probe may be advanced so as to create an aperture in the inner wall of Schlemm's canal in which fluid from the anterior chamber of the eye flows. The method and delivery system may further be used on any tissue types in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventor: Michael S. Berlin
  • Patent number: 10376328
    Abstract: A surgical probe system comprising a surgical probe having an instrument tip, and at least one motion sensor located within the surgical probe that measures movement and orientation data. The system further includes a processor that is configured to determine movement and orientation of the instrument tip based on the movement and orientation data, and adjust at least one surgical parameter of the surgical probe based on the movement and orientation of the instrument tip to affect a predetermined surgical outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Tammo Heeren
  • Patent number: 10350111
    Abstract: A system for corneal treatment includes a light source that activates cross-linking in at least one selected region of a cornea treated with a cross-linking agent. The light source delivers photoactivating light to the at least one selected region of the cornea according to a set of parameters. The system includes a controller that receives input relating to the cross-linking agent and the set of parameters. The controller includes computer-readable storage media storing: (A) program instructions for determining cross-linking resulting from reactions involving ROS including at least peroxides, superoxides, and hydroxyl radicals, and (B) program instructions for determining cross-linking from reactions not involving oxygen. The controller executes the program instructions to output a calculated amount of cross-linking in the at least one selected region of the cornea. In response to the calculated amount of cross-linking, the light source adjusts at least one value in the set of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Avedro, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc D. Friedman, Pavel Kamaev, Mikhail Smirnov
  • Patent number: 10343390
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object includes a support assembly having a build platform, a track extending through a build area, and a deposition mechanism mounted on the track and configured for producing the three-dimensional object in a layer-by-layer technique. The deposition mechanism includes a carriage moveable along the track, a supply of a flowable material mounted on the carriage, a roller in communication with the flowable material, where the roller is rotatably mounted on the carriage and configured for rotating to carry the flowable resin to an application for application to produce the object, and an exposure device mounted on the carriage. The exposure device emits electromagnetic waves to an exposure site to solidify the applied flowable material to produce the object. The roller is permeable to the electromagnetic waves, such that the waves pass through the roller in traveling from the exposure device to the exposure site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: PAXIS LLC
    Inventors: Frederick Knecht, Michael G. Littrell
  • Patent number: 10314747
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a device comprises a laser device and a control computer. The laser device directs a laser beam with laser energy through an outer portion of an eye to a target portion of the eye. The control computer receives an optical density measurement of the outer portion, determines the laser energy according to the optical density measurement, and instructs the laser device to direct the laser beam with the laser energy through the outer portion of the eye to the target portion of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Wavelight GmbH
    Inventors: Sissimos Lemonis, Stefan Wendl
  • Patent number: 10317664
    Abstract: Reacquisition of an image is avoided, thus improving working efficiency. Provided is a microscope device including a plurality of confocal observation units or image capturing units that are capable of acquiring images of the same sample S, a region specifying unit that specifies, on a reference image acquired by a confocal observation unit or image capturing unit, an ROI of an observation image to be acquired by another image capturing unit or confocal observation unit, and a field-of-view displaying unit that displays, superimposed on the reference image, a maximum-limit indication indicating a maximum field of view of the other image capturing unit or confocal observation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10292867
    Abstract: An ophthalmological laser system for photodisruptive irradiation of ocular tissue, including a crystalline lens or a cornea. The system includes an ultra-short pulse laser, the radiation of which is focusable as illumination light via an illumination beam path including a scanner unit and focusing optics. A control unit is programmed to execute determining irradiation control data for photodisruptions at irradiation points in an interior of the ocular tissue distributed three-dimensionally and non-equidistantly to create at least one predetermined target incision. The laser system then irradiates the ocular tissue according to the determined irradiation control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Manfred Dick, Matthias Reich, Dieter Grebner
  • Patent number: 10258507
    Abstract: A method of verifying a laser scan at a predetermined location within an object includes imaging at least a portion of the object, the resulting image comprising the predetermined location; identifying the predetermined location in the image, thereby establishing an expected scan location of the laser scan in the image; performing a laser scan on the object by scanning a focal point of the laser beam in a scanned area; detecting a luminescence from the scanned area and identifying an actual scanned location within the image based on the detected luminescence; and determining whether the difference between the actual scanned location and the expected scan location is within a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Javier G. Gonzalez, John S. Hart
  • Patent number: 10251785
    Abstract: A planning unit produces control data for a treatment device for eye surgery which produces at least one cutting surface in a cornea of the eye using a laser unit. The planning unit includes a calculation module for establishing a cornea cutting surface. The calculation module is configured to establish the cornea cutting surface based on data of a refraction correction, to produce a control data set for actuating the laser unit for the cornea cutting surface, and to determine the cornea cutting surface in such a way that the cornea cutting surface contributes to fixing an implant in an interlocking manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Mark Bischoff, Gregor Stobrawa
  • Patent number: 10251784
    Abstract: A laser system is calibrated with a tomography system capable of measuring locations of structure within an optically transmissive material such as a tissue of an eye. Alternatively or in combination, the tomography system can be used to track the location of the eye and adjust the treatment in response to one or more of the location or an orientation of the eye. In many embodiments, in situ calibration and tracking of an optically transmissive tissue structure such as an eye can be provided. The optically transmissive material may comprise one or more optically transmissive structures of the eye, or a non-ocular optically transmissive material such as a calibration gel in a container or an optically transmissive material of a machined part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce Woodley, Javier Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10238540
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems for treating the retina and/or other areas of a patient's eye. The procedures may involve using one or more treatment beams (e.g., lasers) to cause photocoagulation or laser coagulation to finely cauterize ocular blood vessels and/or prevent blood vessel growth to induce one or more therapeutic benefits. In other embodiments, a series of short duration light pulses (e.g., between 5-15 microseconds) may be delivered to the retinal tissue with a thermal relaxation time delay between the pulse to limit the temperature rise of the target retinal tissue and thereby limit a thermal effect to only the retinal pigment epithelial layer. Such procedures may be used to treat diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and/or other conditions of the eye. The treatment beam may be delivered within a treatment boundary or pattern defined on the retina of the patient's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: IRIDEX Corporation
    Inventors: Kingman Yee, David Buzawa
  • Patent number: 10238287
    Abstract: The invention relates to a negative-pressure device (1) for affixing a patient interface (2) with a negative-pressure cavity (20) onto a patient eye. The negative-pressure device (1) comprises a negative-pressure generator (10) and a pressure sensor (11) with a device-side pressure sensor interface (14) for coupling the pressure sensor (11) to the negative-pressure cavity in a manner fluidically separate from the negative-pressure interface (13). The negative-pressure device furthermore relates to a control unit (12) operatively coupled to the negative-pressure generator (10) and the pressure sensor (11), wherein the control unit (12) is designed to detect a faulty fluidic coupling of the negative-pressure cavity (20) by evaluating a pressure established by the pressure sensor (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG
    Inventors: Thomas Studer, Christian Rathjen
  • Patent number: 10213339
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming curved cuts in a transparent material, in particular in the cornea, by the creation of optical perforations in said material using laser radiation that is focused in the material. The focal point is displaced three-dimensionally to form the cut by lining up the optical perforations. The focal point is displaced in a first spatial direction by a displaceable lens and said focal directions in such a way that it follows the contours of the cut, which lie on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first spatial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Dirk Muehlhoff, Mario Gerlach, Markus Sticker, Carsten Lang, Mark Bischoff, Michael Bergt
  • Patent number: 10195080
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for creating an aqueous flow pathway in the trabecular meshwork, juxtacanalicular trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal of an eye for reducing elevated intraocular pressure. Some embodiments described apparatus and methods useful in photoablation of tissues. In some embodiments, a photoablation apparatus is used to perforate a tissue, forming an aperture into a space behind the tissue. Gases formed during a photoablation process can be used to pressurize the space behind the tissue to enhance patency of the space. In some embodiments the tissue is the trabecular meshwork of the eye and a wall of Schlemm's canal, and the space behind the tissue is a portion of the lumen of Schlemm's canal. In some embodiments, the method is useful in the treatment of glaucoma by improving outflow from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal, reducing intraocular pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: Michael S. Berlin
  • Patent number: 10195084
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method for laser cutting treatment of a human eye comprises: determining position information of a pupil center of the eye in relation to a point of minimal corneal thickness in an undeformed state of the eye; locating the point of minimal corneal thickness in a flattened state of the eye, in which the eye is deformed by contact with a patient adapter of a laser device; and aligning a pulse firing pattern for laser radiation pulses of the laser device, based on a position of the located point of minimal corneal thickness and the determined position information. In embodiments, the pulse firing pattern represents, for example, a lenticular or doughnut-shaped intracorneal tissue volume which is to be removed from the cornea of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Theo Seiler, Christof Donitzky, Peter Riedel, Jörg Klenke
  • Patent number: 10195082
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to machine a material by application of non-linear radiation. The aim is achieved by modifying the laser radiation emitted by a laser beam source with the aid of a polarization modulator in such a way that laser radiation focused into the material is polarized in a linear fashion, the direction of polarization varying across the cross section of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Mark Bischoff, Dirk Muehlhoff, Gregor Stobrawa
  • Patent number: 10154782
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a fundus image includes: a processor and a memory; an illumination component including a light source and operatively coupled to the processor; a camera including a lens and operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to: execute an automated script for capture of the fundus image; and allow for manual capture of the fundus image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Farchione, Austin Gardner, Scott P. Gucciardi, Allen R. Hart, Eric P. Jensen, Thomas A. Myers, Salvin J. Strods, Ynjiun P. Wang, Charles E. Witkowski, II
  • Patent number: 10130510
    Abstract: A system for ophthalmic surgery on an eye includes: a pulsed laser which produces a treatment beam; an OCT imaging assembly capable of creating a continuous depth profile of the eye; an optical scanning system configured to position a focal zone of the treatment beam to a targeted location in three dimensions in one or more floaters in the posterior pole. The system also includes one or more controllers programmed to automatically scan tissues of the patient's eye with the imaging assembly; identify one or more boundaries of the one or more floaters based at least in part on the image data; iii. identify one or more treatment regions based upon the boundaries; and operate the optical scanning system with the pulsed laser to produce a treatment beam directed in a pattern based on the one or more treatment regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Optimedica Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel V. Palanker, Mark S. Blumenkranz, David H. Mordaunt, Dan E. Andersen
  • Patent number: 10111778
    Abstract: An optical surgical probe includes a cylindrical cannula; a light guide partially within the cannula to receive a light beam from a light source through a proximal end, to guide the light beam to a distal end of the light guide, and to emit the light beam through the distal end of the light guide; a multi-spot generator at a distal end of the cannula that includes an optical element with a proximal surface to receive the emitted light beam, and a focusing lens, positioned inside the optical element to focus the received light beam into a focused beam, wherein the optical element has a faceted distal surface to split the focused beam into multiple distally emitted beam-components when the optical surgical probe is operated in a fluid with an index of refraction of 1.30-1.40, and to confine the focused beam in the optical surgical probe when the optical surgical probe is operated in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 10105260
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical system includes a chassis comprising a laser source. The system includes a gantry coupled to the chassis. The position of the gantry is adjustable. The system includes a reference interface coupled to the gantry. The reference interface comprises an attachment interface at a distal portion of the reference interface, configured to couple to a patient interface for docking with an eye. The reference interface is configured to move to a first plate position proximal to the chassis and a second plate position distal from the chassis. The system further includes an optical head unit coupled to the reference interface. The optical head unit comprises a laser scanner and a beam splitter. The optical head unit is configured to move to a first head unit position near a proximal end of the reference interface and a second head unit position which is a lockable surgical position near a distal end of the reference interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Ferenc Raksi
  • Patent number: 10085886
    Abstract: A system for ophthalmic surgery includes a laser source configured to deliver an ultraviolet laser beam comprising laser pulses having a wavelength between 320 nm and 370 nm to photodecompose one or more intraocular targets within the eye with chromophore absorbance. The pulse energy, the pulse duration, and the focal spot are such that an irradiance at the focal spot is sufficient to photodecompose the one or more intraocular targets without exceeding a threshold of formation of a plasma and an associated cavitation event. An optical system operatively coupled to the laser source and configured to focus the ultraviolet laser beam to a focal spot and direct the focal spot in a pattern into the one or more intraocular targets. The optical system focuses the laser beam at a numerical aperture that provides for the focal spot to be scanned over a scan range of 6 mm to 10 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Georg Schuele, Dan Andersen, David Dewey
  • Patent number: 10076378
    Abstract: A matrix router with frequency switching is provided having an energy source electrically connected to a plurality of interface ports. A switching device is provided between the energy source and the plurality of switches. One of the plurality of interface ports includes a paired electrode interface port for the connection of a paired electrode device thereto. The paired electrode device has a first pair of opposed electrodes and a second pair of opposed electrodes for clamping on tissue. When the paired electrode device is operably connected to the paired electrode interface port and actuated, the switching device alternates energy such as bipolar RF from the first pair of opposed electrodes to the second pair of opposed electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Park, Salvatore Privitera
  • Patent number: 10052020
    Abstract: There is provided a system, apparatus and methods for enhancing the illumination of structures of the eye using predetermined scan patterns of an illuminating light beam. The systems, apparatus and methods further provide for obtaining enhanced single images of multiple structures of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Lensar, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph W. Frey, Richard Ty Olmstead, Gary P. Gray, Steven E. Bott, James Strobel
  • Patent number: 10050408
    Abstract: A laser system may include a plurality of laser apparatuses, a beam delivery device configured to bundle pulse laser beams emitted from respective laser apparatuses of the plurality of laser apparatuses to emit a bundled laser beam, and a controller configured to control operated laser apparatuses of the plurality of laser apparatuses such that, at a change in a number representing how many laser apparatuses are operated, a beam parameter of the bundled laser beam emitted from the beam delivery device approaches a beam parameter of the bundled laser beam emitted before the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Suzuki, Osamu Wakabayashi, Masaki Arakawa, Koji Ashikawa, Yasuhiro Kamba
  • Patent number: 10034606
    Abstract: An optical equipment suitable for observation of an iridocorneal annular zone of an eye including: an illumination assembly, including at least one illumination electric device for illuminating the zone with a plurality of illumination optical paths for illumination light beams going to a corresponding plurality of sub-portions, an image capturing assembly, including at least one image capturing electric device for capturing images of the zone with a plurality of imaging optical paths for imaging light beams coming from a corresponding plurality of sub-portions, and a front optical assembly having a front surface located close to front surface of an eye, a rear surface located far from front surface of an eye, and including a central portion between the front and rear surfaces and a lateral portion around the central portion; the front optical assembly is stationary; all imaging optical paths pass through central portion between the front and rear surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cesare Tanassi, Phil Buscemi, Federico Carraro, Andrea De Giusti, Mattia Minozzi, Simone Pajaro, Michele Pascolini, Nicola Codogno
  • Patent number: 10028861
    Abstract: A control arrangement for an ophthalmic surgical system for phacoemulsifying a lens wherein the system includes an aspiration line for drawing off fluid and shattered lens particles of the eye lens and a phaco handpiece having a needle. The aspiration line runs within the needle and is configured to impart ultrasonic energy to the phaco handpiece for shattering the eye lens via a longitudinal vibration of the needle. The control arrangement includes a transmitter configured to irradiate electromagnetic radiation via the aspiration line and a receiver configured to receive at least a part of the radiation; and, a control unit configured to control an absolute value of a parameter of the ophthalmic surgical system in dependence upon the amount of the received electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventor: Michael Eichler
  • Patent number: 9974692
    Abstract: A system and method for performing a femto-fragmentation procedure on tissue in the crystalline lens of an eye requires that a laser beam be directed and focused to a focal point in the crystalline lens of the eye. The focal point is then guided, relative to an axis defined by the eye, to create a segment cluster by causing Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) of tissue in the crystalline lens. The resultant segment cluster includes a plurality of contiguous, elongated segments in the crystalline lens that are individually tapered from an anterior end-area to a posterior end-area. Specifically, this is done to facilitate the removal of individual segments from the segment cluster in the crystalline lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED, TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH
    Inventors: Toh Seng Goh, Brian D. McCary, David Haydn Mordaunt, Frieder Loesel, Jochen Kandulla, Gerhard Youssefi, Werner Banghard
  • Patent number: 9968485
    Abstract: A patient interface device for use with a laser surgery apparatus, the device including an upper assembly and a lower assembly attached to the upper assembly. The device including a spherical-like object that engages the lower assembly so that an enclosed volume is defined between the spherical-like object, the lower assembly and the upper assembly, wherein a first liquid substantially fills the enclosed volume. The device further including a channel that contains a second fluid that is exposed to ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Lensar, Inc.
    Inventors: John McWhirter, E. Valaski Teuma, Richard Ty Olmstead
  • Patent number: 9962292
    Abstract: A planning system for generating control data, a treatment device for ophthalmic surgery to correct refraction, and a method for generating control data for such a treatment device, the method enabling easy continuation of an interrupted treatment or correction of a previous treatment. To this end, the planning system has a calculating device configured to define a corneal incision surface, wherein the calculating device determines the new corneal incision surface such that the existing corneal incision surface is incised by at least a part of the new corneal incision surface at an angle of between 60° and 120°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Michael Bergt, Carsten Lang
  • Patent number: 9943442
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating incisions in a human cornea comprises: a source of pulsed laser radiation; a scanner device for scanning the laser radiation; and a control computer for controlling the scanner device based on a control program, the control program containing instructions that, when executed by the computer, bring about the creation in the cornea of: a flap cut defining a corneal flap that is connected to surrounding corneal tissue through a hinge; and one or more auxiliary cuts in connection with the flap cut for removing gas generated during creation of the flap cut, the one or more auxiliary cuts defining a first channel extending from the flap cut to an anterior surface of the cornea and a reservoir located at least partially deeper within the cornea than the flap cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Wavelight GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Krause, Christof Donitzky
  • Patent number: 9937078
    Abstract: Systems and methods of laser treatment of the intact crystalline lens to increase ionic transport of antioxidants in specific areas where flexural changes and transparency reduction come from lens aging. Microchannels created in patterns and grids placed strategically in the inner lens carry antioxidants from the source—the anterior and the epithelium—into areas scarce or void of transport mechanisms (and thus scarce of antioxidants). A variety of patterns are utilized to facilitate ions traveling along new pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: Raymond I Myers