Method and apparatus for providing precise location of points on the eye

• US 5,645,550 A
• Filed: 04/08/1994
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chiron Technolas GmbH Ophthalmologische System
• Original Assignee: Chiron Technolas GmbH Ophthalmologische System
• Inventors: Hohla, Kristian
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, WILLIAM W
• Application Number:
  US08/225,306
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 606/166, 606/108, 606/4, 606/5, 606/6, 606/1
• US Class Current: 606/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00694 with means correcting for movement of or for synchronisation with the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00636 Sensing and controlling the application of energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2025 with a pilot laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00846 Eyetracking
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00855 Calibration of the laser system
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00872 Cornea
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/008 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00802 for photoablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/009 Auxiliary devices making contact with the eyeball and coupling in laser light, e.g. goniolenses apparatus for eye examination A61B3/0008
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/04 Automatically aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam, e.g. using the back-scattered light

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing more precise aiming by an eye tracking system, including a registration, or aiming, laser, that provides for precise location of where the next laser ablation shot will impinge upon the eye. The method and apparatus further includes an aiming assistance fixture that provides a fixed frame of reference for locating the origin of the eye.

Claims

1. An aiming assistance fixture for providing improved performance of an eye tracking system used in conjunction with an eye, the eye tracking system having a range of observation of the eye, the eye including a treatment area in which a laser would remove tissue, said aiming assistance fixture comprising:

a wall, said wall having a profile with a profile height and a profile width, said wall forming the periphery of a substantially closed shape, and said wall surrounding the area of treatment;

wherein the shape formed by said wall is within the range of observation of the eye tracking system;

wherein said wall is of sufficiently low mass such that it freely follows the movement of the eye; and

wherein the shape is oblong.

2. An aiming assistance fixture for providing improved performance of an eye tracking system used in conjunction with an eye, the eye tracking system having a range of observation of the eye, the eye including a treatment area in which a laser would remove tissue, said aiming assistance fixture comprising:

a wall, said wall having a profile with a profile height and a profile width, said wall forming the periphery of a substantially closed shape, and said wall surrounding the area of treatment; and

means for attaching to the eye;

wherein the shape formed by said wall is within the range of observation of the eye tracking system;

wherein said wall is of sufficiently low mass such that it freely follows the movement of the eye; and

wherein said means for attaching to the eye includes an adhesive.

3. An aiming assistance fixture for providing improved performance of an eye tracking system used in conjunction with an eye, the eye tracking system having a range of observation of the eye, the eye including a treatment area in which a laser would remove tissue, said aiming assistance fixture comprising:

a wall, said wall having a profile with a profile height and a profile width, said wall forming the periphery of a substantially closed shape, and said wall surrounding the area of treatment;

wherein the shape formed by said wall is within the range of observation of the eye tracking system;

wherein said wall is of sufficiently low mass such that it freely follows the movement of the eye; and

wherein said wall is constructed from metal coated with plastic.

4. An aiming assistance fixture for providing improved performance of an eye tracking system used in conjunction with an eye, the eye tracking system having a range of observation of the eye, the eye including a treatment area in which a laser would remove tissue, said aiming assistance fixture comprising:

a wall, said wall having a profile with a profile height and a profile width, said wall forming the periphery of a substantially closed shape, and said wall surrounding the area of treatment;

wherein the shape formed by said wall is within the range of observation of the eye tracking system;

wherein said wall is of sufficiently low mass such that it freely follows the movement of the eye; and

wherein the profile height and the profile width are less than or equal to 1.00 mm.

5. An aiming assistance fixture for providing improved performance of an eye tracking system used in conjunction with an eye, the eye tracking system having a range of observation of the eye, the eye including a treatment area in which a laser would remove tissue, said aiming assistance fixture comprising:

a wall, said wall having a profile with a profile height and a profile width, said wall forming the periphery of a substantially closed shape, and said wall surrounding the area of treatment;

wherein the shape formed by said wall is within the range of observation of the eye tracking system;

wherein said wall is of sufficiently low mass such that it freely follows the movement of the eye; and

wherein said wall is constructed from an infrared absorbent material.

6. An aiming assistance fixture for providing improved performance of an eye tracking system used in conjunction with an eye, the eye tracking system having a range of observation of the eye, the eye including a treatment area in which a laser would remove tissue, said aiming assistance fixture comprising:

a wall, said wall having a profile with a profile height and a profile width, said wall forming the periphery of a substantially closed shape, and said wall surrounding the area of treatment;

wherein the shape formed by said wall is within the range of observation of the eye tracking system;

wherein said wall is of sufficiently low mass such that it freely follows the movement of the eye; and

wherein said wall is constructed from a fluorescent material.

7. An aiming assistance fixture for providing improved performance of an eye tracking system used in conjunction with an eye, the eye tracking system having a range of observation of the eye, the eye including a treatment area in which a laser would remove tissue, said aiming assistance fixture comprising:

a wall, said wall having a profile with a profile height and a profile width, said wall forming the periphery of a substantially closed shape, and said wall surrounding the area of treatment; and

rotational registration points;

wherein the shape formed by said wall is within the range of observation of the eye tracking system;

wherein said wall is of sufficiently low mass such that it freely follows the movement of the eye; and

wherein said rotational registration points are prongs directed inward from said wall.

8. An aiming assistance fixture for providing improved performance of an eye tracking system used in conjunction with an eye, the eye tracking system having a range of observation of the eye, the eye including a treatment area in which a laser would remove tissue, said aiming assistance fixture comprising:

a wall, said wall having a profile with a profile height and a profile width, said wall forming the periphery of a substantially closed shape, and said wall surrounding the area of treatment;

wherein the shape formed by said wall is within the range of observation of the eye tracking system;

wherein said wall is of sufficiently low mass such that it freely follows the movement of the eye;

wherein the profile is of a substantially constant shape at all points on said wall; and

wherein the profile is of a circular shape.

9. An aiming assistance fixture for providing improved performance of an eye tracking system used in conjunction with an eye, the eye tracking system having a range of observation of the eye, the eye including a treatment area in which a laser would remove tissue, said aiming assistance fixture comprising:

a wall, said wall having a profile with a profile height and a profile width, said wall forming the periphery of a substantially closed shape, and said wall surrounding the area of treatment;

wherein the shape formed by said wall is within the range of observation of the eye tracking system;

wherein said wall is of sufficiently low mass such that it freely follows the movement of the eye;

wherein the profile is of a substantially constant shape at all points on said wall and

wherein the profile is of a triangular shape.