Beam position monitoring for laser eye surgery
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring scanning of a laser eye surgery system, the method comprising:
- directing a first beam of laser energy along a first axis toward a first location on an eye using a scanning optical element;
directing a second beam of laser energy at the scanning optical element along a second axis, the scanning optical element transmitting the second beam toward a sensor;
moving the scanning optical element to scan the first beans to a second location on the eye;
sensing movement of the scanning optical element with the sensor;
determining a desired scanning sequence for sequentially scanning the first beam;
scanning the first beam with the scanning optical element in accordance with the desired scanning sequence; and
comparing the actual scanning with the desired scanning sequence.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Improved methods, apparatus and systems for monitoring laser beam position enhance the safety and efficacy of laser eye surgery systems. The present invention will advantageously be used in laser eye surgery where accurate control of the laser beam is crucial for patient safety and successful vision correction. In one embodiment, a first beam of laser energy is directed through a scanning mechanism toward an eye to ablate the eye, and a second beam of laser energy is directed through the scanning mechanism toward a sensor. When the scanning mechanism is moved by a laser eye surgery system to move the first beam across the eye, the scanning mechanism also moves the second beam across the sensor. Movement of the beam across the sensor can be used to monitor movement of the first beam across the eye. If actual movement of the first beam across the eye does not match desired movement of the beam, one or more components of the laser surgery system will shut down in order to stop the laser eye surgery procedure, thus preventing undesirable ablation of the eye.
51 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A method for monitoring scanning of a laser eye surgery system, the method comprising:
-
directing a first beam of laser energy along a first axis toward a first location on an eye using a scanning optical element;
directing a second beam of laser energy at the scanning optical element along a second axis, the scanning optical element transmitting the second beam toward a sensor;
moving the scanning optical element to scan the first beans to a second location on the eye;
sensing movement of the scanning optical element with the sensor;
determining a desired scanning sequence for sequentially scanning the first beam;
scanning the first beam with the scanning optical element in accordance with the desired scanning sequence; and
comparing the actual scanning with the desired scanning sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A system for monitoring scanning of a laser eye surgery system for laser treatment of an eye, the system comprising:
-
at least one movable scanning optical element comprising at least one mirror having at least one reflective surface;
a laser beam sensor;
a first laser beam source directing a first laser beam at the scanning optical element along a first axis, the scanning optical element positioned for transmitting the first beam toward the eye; and
a second laser beam source directing a second laser beam along a second axis toward the scanning optical element so that the scanning optical element transmits the second beam toward the laser beam sensor during treatment of the eye, wherein the first and second beams are directed at a first reflective side of the mirror. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A system for monitoring scanning of a laser eye surgery system for laser treatment of an eye, the system comprising:
-
at least one movable scanning optical element comprising a lens;
a laser beam sensor;
a first laser beam source directing a first laser beam at the scanning optical element along a first axis, the scanning optical element positioned fan transmitting the first beam toward the eye; and
a second laser beam source directing a second laser beam along a second axis toward the scanning optical element so that the scanning optical element transmits the second beam toward the laser beam sensor during treatment of the eye, wherein the first and second beams are directed at a first side of the lens.
-
Specification