Wavefront characterization of corneas
US6578964B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2/142
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for determining if a cornea (whether in vitro or in vivo) has been modified (either surgically or otherwise). The method includes the steps of: passing a beam of collimated light a (either coherent or incoherent) through the cornea to produce a distorted wavefront; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The analysis of the distorted wavefront can be for the presence of higher order aberrations, or Gausian characteristics which are indicative of modifications. More particularly, the method includes the steps of providing an optical system that has a pupil plane and an image plane at a detector; positioning the cornea in the pupil plane; passing a collimated beam of light through the cornea to produce at least two images in the image plane; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The apparatus includes: a source of collimated light: an optical system including a distorted grating and an imaging lens (which have a pupil plane, fir…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.