Patent · US Expired

Automated laser workstation for high precision surgical and industrial interventions

US6099522A · kind A · utility

369Cited by
8References
80Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 5, 1995
Grant dateAug 8, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 5, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F2009/00889
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system for template-controlled, precision laser interventions is described that greatly improves the accuracy, speed, range, reliability, versatility, safety, and efficacy of interventions such as laser microsurgery, particularly ophthalmic surgery, and industrial micromachining. The instrument and system are applicable to those specialties wherein the positioning accuracy of laser lesions is critical, wherever accurate containment of the spatial extent of a laser lesion is desirable, and/or whenever precise operations on a target or series of targets subject to movement during the procedure are to be effected. The system thus comprises the following key elements: (1) a user interface, consisting of a video display, microprocessor and controls, (2) an imaging system, which may include a surgical video microscope with zoom capability, (3) an automated 3D target acquisition and tracking system that can follow the movements of the subject tissue, for example an eye, during the operation, thus allowing the surgeon/user to predetermine his firing patern based on an image which is automatically stabilized over time, (4) a laser, with which can be focused so that o…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.