Systems and methods for treating glaucoma with laser pulses and visualizing the anterior angle of the eye
AssigneeEyeX Solutions Inc
InventorChristopher Horvath
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser system for treating target tissue layers of an anterior chamber angle of an eye, including a delivery system and various imaging systems is being disclosed here. The system includes novel configurations using small digital cameras, OCT and other diagnostic devices that are integrated with a goniolens to visualize and target the to be treated tissue layers and that in some configurations remain connected and active during the laser treatment. Furthermore, several novel illumination systems and standalone digital camera goniolens systems are being presented here.
Claims20
A modular goniolens assembly for visualizing and treating an anterior angle region of an eye, the assembly comprising:
- a housing component configured to permit the assembly to be handled by a physician, the housing component having one or more individual modules for illuminating and/or visualizing the eye and a battery for powering the one or more individual modules;
- and
- a goniolens body coupled to the housing and having a contact surface adapted to contact a cornea of the eye and an irregular shaped upper surface, opposite the contact surface, that provides aligned window surfaces that accept one or more individual modules in a predetermined alignment such that an aiming direction into the eye of the one or more individual modules is preset
- to enhance visibility of the anterior angle region;
- wherein the housing component is removably couplable to the goniolens body for aligning the one or more individual modules relative to the goniolens body;
- and
- wherein the goniolens assembly is configured to provide standalone illumination and/or visualization of the anterior angle region and to facilitate delivery of laser treatment pulses to the anterior angle region.
An integrated ophthalmic system for diagnostic imaging and laser treatment of an anterior angle region of an eye, the system comprising:
- a laser module generating ultrashort pulses for selectively disrupting trabecular meshwork tissue;
- a goniolens having a contact surface for coupling with the cornea and an integrated mirror to direct the laser beam to the anterior angle region, the goniolens having an irregular shaped upper surface, opposite the contact surface, against which an illumination module and a camera module are supported in a plurality of alignment positions;
- an imaging unit configured to direct at least one of an OCT beam or a confocal beam into the eye;
- an operator user interface comprising a switch for activating the laser module and a display for showing images captured by the camera module;
- and
- a system controller configured to coordinate the laser module, the camera module, and the imaging unit to enable combined diagnostic imaging and targeted laser application to the trabecular meshwork.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.