Hydration and topography tissue measurements for laser sculpting
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for measuring hydration of a corneal tissue of an eye, the system comprising:
- a light source directing an excitation light toward the corneal tissue so that the corneal tissue generates fluorescent light, the fluorescent light varying in response to corneal tissue hydration increasing from a normal hydration to an increased hydration;
a fluorescent light sensor in an optical path of the fluorescent light from the tissue, the sensor generating a signal indicating the fluorescent light; and
a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor generating a hydration signal indicating the increased hydration of the tissue from the fluorescent light signal.
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Abstract
Improved systems, devices, and methods measure and/or change the shape of a tissue surface, particularly for use in laser eye surgery. Fluorescence of the tissue may occur at and immediately underlying the tissue surface. The excitation energy can be readily absorbed by the tissue within a small tissue depth, and may be provided from the same source used for photodecomposition of the tissue. Changes in the fluorescence spectrum of a tissue correlate with changes in the tissue'"'"'s hydration.
128 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for measuring hydration of a corneal tissue of an eye, the system comprising:
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a light source directing an excitation light toward the corneal tissue so that the corneal tissue generates fluorescent light, the fluorescent light varying in response to corneal tissue hydration increasing from a normal hydration to an increased hydration;
a fluorescent light sensor in an optical path of the fluorescent light from the tissue, the sensor generating a signal indicating the fluorescent light; and
a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor generating a hydration signal indicating the increased hydration of the tissue from the fluorescent light signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In an apparatus for resculpting a corneal tissue of an eye, the apparatus directing a pattern of light energy from a laser under direction of a processor to effect a desired change in an optical characteristic of the eye, a system comprising:
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a sensor coupled to the processor, the sensor measuring hydration and generating a signal indicating the measured hydration of the corneal tissue; and
an adjustment module of the processor, the module varying the pattern in response to the measured hydration signal from the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for measuring hydration-induced swelling of a corneal tissue, the method comprising:
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directing an excitation light toward the tissue so that the tissue generates fluorescent light that varies with changes in response to changes in hydration of the tissue;
sensing the fluorescent light;
calculating the hydration of the tissue using the sensed fluorescent light; and
determining the swelling of the tissue in response to the calculated hydration. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. In a procedure for resculpting a corneal tissue of an eye by selectively directing a pattern of laser energy toward the eye to effect a predetermined change in an optical characteristic of the eye, a compensation method comprising:
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sensing a hydration of the tissue; and
adjusting the pattern of laser energy in response to the sensed hydration. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
directing an excitation light toward the tissue so that the tissue generates fluorescent light;
measuring an intensity of the fluorescent light at a first frequency relative to a second frequency;
calculating hydration of the tissue using the measured relative intensity.
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17. The compensation method of claim 15, further comprising estimating ablation rate for the calculated hydration, wherein the pattern adjusting step varies the pattern in response to the estimated ablation rate.
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18. A method for sculpting of a corneal tissue of an eye to effect a desired change in an optical property of the eye, the method comprising:
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sensing hydration of the corneal tissue;
determining a desired change in shape of the eye in response to the hydration and the desired change in optical property; and
planning a pattern of laser energy to direct toward the corneal tissue to effect the determined change in shape. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for sculpting of a corneal tissue of an eye to effect a desired change in an optical property of the eye, the method comprising:
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determining the desired change in the optical property while the corneal tissue of the eye has a first hydration;
sensing a second hydration of the corneal tissue, wherein the eye swells and the hydration increases from the first hydration to the second hydration;
determining a desired change in shape of the eye in response to the second hydration and the desired change in optical property; and
planning a pattern of laser energy to direct toward the corneal tissue to effect the determined change in shape. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification