Apparatus and method for opthalmologic surgical procedures using a femtosecond fiber laser

US7131968B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Carl Zeiss Meditec AG · DE
• IMRA America, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Mark P. Bendett · Ann Arbor, US
• Mark Bischoff · Jena, DE
• Mario Gerlach · Hohen Neuendorf, DE
• Dirk Muehlhoff · Jena, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 23, 2003
• Grant date: Nov 7, 2006
• Expiry date: Jan 26, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2009/00872
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Apparatus and method to generate a stream of pulses having a pulse repetition rate of at least about 50000 pulses per second and a per-pulse length of less than one picosecond, and to scan and focus the stream to an output light pattern suitable to sculpt tissue for a surgical procedure (e.g., ophthalmologic) using at least a high number of pulses to complete the operation in a matter of a few second, e.g., 100000 pulses in less than ten seconds. A laser having a optical fiber gain medium generates a stream of femtosecond pulses. Some embodiments create a preconditioning negative dispersion that compensates for positive dispersion in the scanning system. In some embodiments, a lenticule is cut using the laser and scanning system and is mechanically removed through a side slit formed through the cornea surface.