System and method for automated position maintenance of an ophthalmic surgery cone

A system for maintaining the position of a suction cone on an eye during laser ophthalmic surgery comprising:

• a suction cone;
• a first control device operable to adjust a position of the suction cone;
• a measuring device operable to detect a detectable position of the suction cone and generate data relating to the detectable position;
• a patient support;
• a second control device operable to adjust a position of the patient support;
• a display;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• receive data from the measuring device relating to the detectable position;
• determine whether the detectable position of the suction cone is within an optimal working range;
• determine a distance and direction the suction cone or patient support must be adjusted to maintain the detectable position within the optimal working range;
• determine whether only the suction cone can be adjusted to maintain the detectable position within the optimal working range, and if not, whether the patient support may be adjusted alone or in addition to the suction cone;
• generate a control signal operable to adjust the position of the suction cone, if only the suction cone may be adjusted;
• generate a control signal operable to adjust a position of the patient support, if only the patient support may be adjusted;
• generate a first control signal operable to adjust the position of the suction cone and a second control signal operable to adjust a position of the patient support, if neither the suction cone or the patient support may be adjusted alone;
• transmit the first and second control signals to maintain the detectable position within the optimal working range, wherein the optimal working range is a range in a Z-direction that is preferable or necessary for the suction cone to be docked within, where suction between the eye, a docked suction ring, and the docked suction cone is stable;
• process the data relating to the detectable position to generate a pictorial representation of the suction cone and the eye;
• and
• transmit the pictorial representation to the display.