System for detecting, measuring and compensating for lateral movements of a target
US6702809B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2009/00872
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method, apparatus and system for a transverse tracker is described that can greatly improve 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 disclosed are applicable to those situations wherein the positioning accuracy of laser lesions is critical, and/or whenever precise operations on a target or series of targets subject to random movement during a procedure are to be effected. The present invention provides means for stabilizing the motion of targets in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, thus allowing an imaging system, diagnostics illumination, and/or laser beam to maintain a lock on the target area, regardless of its movement. The invention also provides means for recording eye movements in real time and in which data can be stored and manipulated for the purpose of compensating for lateral target motion by either hardware or software means. Unique attributes provided in the tracking system include means for (1) sensing contrast in recognizable large scale boundaries such as the change between the cornea/s…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.