Apparatus and Method for Morphing a Three-Dimensional Target Surface into a Two-Dimensional Image for Use in Guiding a Laser Beam in Ocular Surgery
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for creating an image of an uneven surface inside a transparent material, the apparatus comprising:
- a source for generating an imaging beam;
a beam delivery system for guiding the imaging beam over the uneven surface to be imaged;
a detector for receiving a reflection (return) of the imaging beam from the uneven surface to create an image thereof; and
a computer connected to the beam delivery system and to the detector for morphing the image of the uneven surface into a two-dimensional planar image of the uneven surface.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for ocular surgery includes a delivery system for generating and guiding a surgical laser beam to a focal point on a target surface in a treatment area of an eye. A detector is coupled to the beam path of the surgical laser to create a three-dimensional image of the target surface, and a computer morphs this three-dimensional image into a two-dimensional image. Operationally, the computer then uses the two-dimensional image to position and move the focal point in the treatment area for surgery.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for creating an image of an uneven surface inside a transparent material, the apparatus comprising:
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a source for generating an imaging beam; a beam delivery system for guiding the imaging beam over the uneven surface to be imaged; a detector for receiving a reflection (return) of the imaging beam from the uneven surface to create an image thereof; and a computer connected to the beam delivery system and to the detector for morphing the image of the uneven surface into a two-dimensional planar image of the uneven surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for creating a morph image of a target surface inside an eye of a patient which comprises:
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a source for generating an imaging beam to collect a three-dimensional dataset, wherein the dataset includes information pertinent to a visualization of the target surface; and a computer for receiving the dataset, and morphing the dataset in accordance with a computer program to create a morph image of the target surface, wherein the morph image and the target surface are heterotypic. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for creating an image of an uneven surface inside a transparent material, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating an imaging beam; guiding the imaging beam over the uneven surface to be imaged; receiving information in the imaging beam from the uneven surface, wherein the information is a three-dimensional dataset defining the uneven surface; and morphing the three-dimensional dataset for the image of the uneven surface into a two-dimensional planar image of the surface. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer system for guiding and controlling the movement of a laser beam focal point along a path in the eye of a patient which comprises:
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a means for imagining a three-dimensional surface of tissue in an eye to detect and account for physical changes in the three-dimensional surface; a means for morphing an image of a portion of the three-dimensional surface into a two-dimensional morph image of a target surface; a means for incorporating procedural information into the two-dimensional morph image for use in guiding and controlling the movement of a focal point of a laser beam along a path in the target surface; and a means for minimizing errors in the movement of the focal point. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification