Integrated wavefront-directed topography-controlled photoablation
US6666857B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2009/00897
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method combining wavefront analysis with narrow-beam scanning photoablation where optimal corneal topography is first calculated then followed by real-time topographic feedback controlled photoablation. Eye movement and beam position sensing to within a tolerance of 5 &mgr;m are provided by high speed digital computation in conjunction with specialized charge coupled devices. Lasers of three different wavelengths—one low-powered pulsed ultraviolet, a second continuous visible band type, and a pulsed infrared type are combined together into narrow beams whereupon a scanning mechanism generates coaxial collimated beams for the functions of ablation, beam position sensing, and fundus spot imaging. Transepithelial ablation is performed utilizing the same CCD used for wavefront analysis by switching between two dichroic mirrors. The light source for the raster videokeratography topography means is the UV laser used for ablation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.