| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090187171 | COMPUTER CONTROL FOR BIO-MECHANICAL ALTERATION OF THE CORNEA - A system and method for altering the shape of a lamina of transparent material (e.g. the cornea of an eye), as it is being subjected to a transverse pressure differential, requires a computer controlled laser unit. In accordance with specified input parameters, the computer directs the laser unit to perform LIOB over predetermined surfaces within the lamina. This weakens the material for a desired reshaping of the lamina in response to the pressure differential. With respect to a perpendicular axis that is defined by the lamina, surfaces parallel to the axis (e.g. cylindrical surfaces) are separated from each other by about two hundred microns. For surfaces perpendicular to the axis, the separation is about ten microns. In each instance, the cuts that result from LIOB are only about two microns thick. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090187386 | FINITE ELEMENT MODELING OF THE CORNEA - A system and method for simulating a corneal reconfiguration in response to LIOB uses a computer-programmed, finite element model. The model has a plurality of elements; with each element pre-programmed with coefficients based on diagnostic corneal data. Collectively the coefficients replicate biomechanical properties of the cornea. In use, designated biomechanical characteristics on a plurality of selected elements (i.e. selected coefficients) are minimized to simulate LIOB in an actual cornea. A computer then measures the resultant reconfiguration of the cornea model to assess an actual cornea's response to LIOB. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090264873 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALTERING INTERNAL STRESS DISTRIBUTIONS TO RESHAPE A MATERIAL - A system and method for altering the configuration of a transparent material (e.g. the cornea of an eye) requires identifying local stress distribution patterns inside the material. These patterns are then used to define boundary (interface) surfaces between volumes within the material. In operation, a laser unit performs Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) along selected boundary surfaces to disrupt stress distribution patterns between volumes of the material that are separated from each other by the boundary surface. This LIOB allows an externally applied force to thereby alter the configuration of the material. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090299346 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STRAY LIGHT COMPENSATION OF CORNEAL CUTS - A system and method to compensate for the deformation of an eye requires calculation of an induced deformation angle Ψ, wherein the deformation is intentionally induced during laser surgery by a contact lens, and a refraction angle φ. Specifically, during laser surgery, the cornea of an eye is typically stabilized by a contact lens. This deforms the cornea. When the contact lens is removed after the surgery, the cornea recovers from the deformation. For the present invention, the angle Ψ is calculated, and corrected by the angle φ, so that surfaces altered during surgery (e.g. by LIOB) will become substantially parallel to incoming light in the eye, after the contact lens has been removed after surgery. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090318907 | GENERALIZED MODELING OF THE CORNEA - A system and method for simulating a corneal reconfiguration in response to laser surgery uses a computer-programmed, biomechanical generalized model. The generalized model has a plurality of elements; with each element being pre-programmed based on diagnostic corneal data obtained from images of respective individual collagen fibers in a cornea. Collectively these pre-programmed elements replicate biomechanical properties of the cornea. In use, designated biomechanical characteristics on a plurality of selected elements are minimized to simulate laser surgery in an actual cornea. A computer then measures the resultant reconfiguration of the cornea model to assess an actual cornea's response to laser surgery. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100082018 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RESHAPING THE CORNEA - A system and method are provided for reshaping the surface of a resilient transparent material such as a cornea. In the system, a laser unit generates a femto-second laser beam to deliver focused energy inside the material. Specifically, the energy is focused over a defined spot pattern to weaken the material. Further, the system includes a contact element that forms a contour surface. In order to reshape the material, the system provides for holding the contour surface of the contact element against the surface of the weakened material. After holding the contour surface against the material for a pre-determined time duration, the surface of the material is reshaped with a desired configuration that substantially mimics the contour surface of the contact element. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100130967 | Method and Apparatus for Enhanced Corneal Accommodation - A system and method for improving the accommodative power of a focusing unit (e.g. an eye) involves increasing the flexibility of a first optical element in the unit (e.g. the cornea of the eye). Specifically, the needed flexibility is determined from diagnostic data, and the first optical element is structurally weakened according to the data. With this weakened structure (i.e. increased flexibility), the first element is better able to comply with configuration changes in a second optical element in the focusing unit (e.g. the lens of the eye). The consequence is, improved accommodation. For the present invention, the improved compliance to achieve optimal accommodation is accomplished either by performing appropriate LIOB on stromal tissue in the eye, or by application of a topical medium to selected areas on the anterior surface of the eye. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100191227 | System and Method for Correcting Higher Order Aberrations with Changes in Intrastromal Biomechanical Stress Distributions - A method for correcting higher order aberrations in an eye requires Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) of stromal tissue. In detail, the method identifies at least one volume of stromal tissue in the eye, with each volume defining a central axis parallel to the visual axis of the eye. Thereafter, a pulsed laser beam is focused to a focal spot in each volume of stromal tissue to cause LIOB of stromal tissue at the focal spot. Further, the focal spot is moved through the volume of stromal tissue to create a plurality of incisions centered about the respective central axis of the volume. As a result, a predetermined selective weakening of the stroma is caused for correction of the higher order aberration. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100191228 | System and Method for Refractive Surgery with Augmentation by Intrastromal Corrective Procedures - A system and method are provided for an ophthalmic surgical procedure to provide a refractive correction for an eye. Specifically, the procedure is indicated when the desired refractive correction “d | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100191229 | Methods for Employing Intrastromal Corrections in Combination with Surface Refractive Surgery to Correct Myopic/Hyperopic Presbyopia - A system and method for correcting a vision defect (i.e. presbyopia) of a patient requires two laser units. A first laser unit is used to photoablate (i.e. remove) tissue from the cornea for the creation of a multi-focal cornea that simultaneously provides for both near and distance vision capabilities. A second laser unit can also be used to refine the shape of the cornea by weakening selected portions with LIOB. Together, the removal and weakening of corneal tissue are regulated to optimize the resultant near vision and distant vision capabilities of the patient. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100217247 | System and Methods for Minimizing Higher Order Aberrations Introduced During Refractive Surgery - A system and method are provided for minimizing the adverse effects of any optical aberrations, and particularly higher order aberrations, that may be introduced into an eye during the correction of a visual defect by photoablation (i.e. removal) of corneal tissue. In accordance with the present invention, after a predetermined time interval following the photoablation of tissue (e.g. about two weeks), the eye is evaluated for aberrations. Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) is then performed on intrastromal tissue, as needed, to correct for the introduced aberrations. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100249761 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALTERING THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF A MATERIAL - A system for changing the configuration of a transparent, resilient material, for the purpose of altering its optical properties, requires obtaining a topology for the material. The obtained data is then used to create a computer program for operating a laser unit. In accordance with the program, the laser unit creates incisions within a defined operational volume, inside the material, to weaken the material (i.e. change its internal stress distributions). Specifically, the incisions are made on predetermined surfaces (e.g. cylindrical surfaces) in the operational volume by Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB). As a consequence of the incisions, the material undergoes the desired configurational change in response to external forces applied on the material. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20110022037 | System and Method for Minimizing the Side Effects of Refractive Corrections Using Line or Dot Cuts for Incisions - A system and method for performing refractive surgery in an eye requires creating a plurality of cuts in the stroma or the lens that are randomly positioned relative to a reference axis. The geometry for each cut is unique and includes a start point in the stroma that is identified by a distance “r” from the axis, and an azimuthal angle “θ” that is measured around the axis. A computer provides concerted control for a laser unit and an optical scanner to randomly vary the start point for each cut, to create a pattern of cuts that will implement the desired refractive surgery, yet be visually illusive. | 01-27-2011 |
