CONFOCAL LASER EYE SURGERY SYSTEM AND IMPROVED CONFOCAL BYPASS ASSEMBLY
First Claim
1. A method of reversibly separating an imaging assembly from an optical path in a laser surgical system, the method comprising:
- using a beam source to generate an electromagnetic beam;
propagating the electromagnetic beam from the beam source to a scanner along an optical path, the optical path comprising a first optical element that attenuates the electromagnetic beam, the first optical element being positioned between the beam source and the scanner;
focusing the electromagnetic beam to a focal point at a location within the eye;
using the scanner to scan the focal point to different locations within the eye;
propagating a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along the optical path to the first optical element, the first optical element diverting a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor;
using the sensor to generate an intensity signal indicative of an intensity of a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location and propagated to the sensor via the first optical element; and
reversibly inserting a confocal bypass assembly into the optical path, diverting the electromagnetic beam along a diversion optical path around the first optical element, wherein the beam direction and position are substantially the same at the entry of and exit from the diversion optical path in a direction transverse to the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic beam,wherein the confocal bypass assembly automatically exits the optical path when a power loss occurs to one or more components of the system.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of reversibly separating an imaging assembly from an optical path in a laser surgical system includes generating an electromagnetic beam, propagating the electromagnetic beam from the beam source to a scanner along an optical path, the optical path comprising a first optical element that attenuates the electromagnetic beam, reversibly inserting a confocal bypass assembly into the optical path, diverting the electromagnetic beam along a diversion optical path around the first optical element, wherein the confocal bypass assembly automatically exits the optical path when a power loss occurs to one or more components of the system.
6 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of reversibly separating an imaging assembly from an optical path in a laser surgical system, the method comprising:
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using a beam source to generate an electromagnetic beam; propagating the electromagnetic beam from the beam source to a scanner along an optical path, the optical path comprising a first optical element that attenuates the electromagnetic beam, the first optical element being positioned between the beam source and the scanner; focusing the electromagnetic beam to a focal point at a location within the eye; using the scanner to scan the focal point to different locations within the eye; propagating a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along the optical path to the first optical element, the first optical element diverting a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor; using the sensor to generate an intensity signal indicative of an intensity of a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location and propagated to the sensor via the first optical element; and reversibly inserting a confocal bypass assembly into the optical path, diverting the electromagnetic beam along a diversion optical path around the first optical element, wherein the beam direction and position are substantially the same at the entry of and exit from the diversion optical path in a direction transverse to the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic beam, wherein the confocal bypass assembly automatically exits the optical path when a power loss occurs to one or more components of the system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An eye surgery system comprising:
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A light source for generating an electromagnetic beam; an eye interface device configured to interface with an eye of a patient; a scanning assembly supporting the eye interface device and operable to scan a focal point of an electromagnetic beam to different locations within the eye; a light source configured to generate the electromagnetic beam; an optical path configured to propagate the electromagnetic beam from the light source to the focal point and also configured to propagate a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along the optical path, the optical path comprising a first optical element that attenuates the electromagnetic beam in a direction from the light source to the scanner and that also diverts a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor; a detection assembly configured to generate an intensity signal indicative of intensity of a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location; and a confocal bypass assembly configured to reversibly divert the radiation beam along a diversion optical path around the first optical element when the confocal bypass assembly is inserted into the optical path, and wherein the confocal bypass assembly is configured to exit the optical path upon a loss of power to one or more components of the eye surgery system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of reversibly separating an imaging assembly from an optical path in a laser surgical system, the method comprising:
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using a beam source to generate an electromagnetic beam; propagating the electromagnetic beam from the beam source to a scanner along an optical path, the optical path comprising a non-polarizing first optical element that attenuates the electromagnetic beam, the first optical element being positioned between the beam source and the scanner; focusing the electromagnetic beam to a focal point at a location within the eye; using the scanner to scan the focal point to different locations within the eye; propagating a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along the optical path to the first optical element, the first optical element diverting a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor; using the sensor to generate an intensity signal indicative of an intensity of a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location and propagated to the sensor via the first optical element; and reversibly inserting a confocal bypass assembly into the optical path, diverting the electromagnetic beam along a diversion optical path around the first optical element, wherein the beam direction and position are substantially the same at the entry of and exit from the diversion optical path in a direction transverse to the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic beam. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification