Operator-Controlled Scanning Laser Procedure Designed for Large-Area Epithelium Removal

• US 20150088104A1
• Filed: 12/02/2014
• Published: 03/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AMO Development LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: AMO Development LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Arnoldussen, Mark E., Wong, Jonathan, Logan, Benjamin A., Zickler, Leander
• Granted Patent: US 9,592,158 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00154 pulsed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00844 Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00846 Eyetracking
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00848 based on wavefront
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00872 Cornea
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/0088 based on wavefront
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00882 based on topography
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00885 for treating a particular disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00897 Scanning mechanisms or algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/008 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00802 for photoablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00814 Laser features or special beam parameters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00817 Beam shaping with masks

Abstract

Systems and methods for removing an epithelial layer disposed over a stromal layer in a cornea irradiate a region of the epithelial layer with a pulsed beam of ablative radiation. The ablative radiation is scanned to vary the location of the beam within the region in accordance with a pulse sequence. The pulse sequence is arranged to enhance optical feedback based on a tissue fluorescence of the epithelial layer. The penetration of the epithelial layer is detected in response to the optical feedback. The use of scanning with the pulse sequence arranged to enhance optical feedback allows large areas of the epithelium to be ablated such penetration of the epithelial layer can be detected.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A system to ablate an eye to remove an epithelial layer of the eye, the system comprising:

a laser to generate a beam of an ablative radiation;

a movable structure disposed along the laser beam path to adjust a size of the laser beam to at least one smaller size and at least one larger size;

a movable scan component configured to scan the adjustably sized laser beam over a region of the eye to ablate the epithelial layer; and

a processor system comprising a tangible medium and a memory, the processor system coupled to the laser, the movable structure and the movable scan component, the processor system configured to scan the ablative radiation to vary a location of the beam in accordance with a pulse sequence, wherein the pulse sequence is arranged in response to a plurality of ring shaped basis profiles.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the sequence of pulses of the beam is arranged to enhance optical feedback based on the tissue fluorescence so that areas of the epithelium larger than the beam can be ablated and tissue penetration detected.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor system is configured to scan the ablative radiation in response to a linear combination of the plurality of ring shaped basis profiles.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the processor system is configured to determine a first of the plurality of ring shaped basis profiles from a first pulse size scanned along a first circle and wherein the processor system is configured to determine a second of the plurality of ring shaped basis profiles is determined from a second pulse size scanned along a second circle.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the processor system is configured to size the first circle and the second circle to align an outer boundary of the first ring shaped basis profile with an outer boundary of the second ring shaped basis profile.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the processor system is configured to size the first pulse size and the second pulse size to align the outer boundary of the first ring shaped basis profile with the outer boundary of the second ring shaped basis profile.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein processor system is configured to arrange the pulse sequence in response to at least one disc shaped basis profile in combination with the plurality of ring shaped basis profiles.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the processor system is configured to store the plurality of ring shaped basis profiles and each comprises a central portion corresponding to no ablation and wherein the processor system is configured to store the at least one disc shaped basis profile and the disc shaped basis profile comprises a central portion corresponding to a maximum depth of ablation of the at least one disc shape basis profile.

17-29. -29. (canceled)