Multiple beam laser sculpting system and method
AssigneeVISX, Incorporated
InventorsAudrey Munnerlyn, George Caudle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention improves the laser sculpting of a region of a material to a predetermined shape by improving the smoothness and accuracy of surfaces formed by the sculpting technique. The technique includes projecting plurality of partially overlapping beams toward the region. The invention includes blurring an edge of an ablation to smooth an internal portion of the ablation that is separate from the edge. The blurred edge may be formed by the partially overlapping beams. Using a computer controlled laser delivery system, the position and shape of the overlapping beams may be precisely controlled to sculpt the material to a desired shape according to a laser treatment table.
Claims13
A laser system for sculpting a region of a cornea to effect a predetermined change in shape, the system comprising:
- at least one laser for generating a plurality of laser beams suitable for ablation of the cornea;
- and
- an optical train optically coupled to the beams so as to direct the plurality of optical beams toward differing areas of the cornea, the differing areas defining an ablation pattern, the optical train comprising an adjustment mechanism for altering the ablation pattern.
A laser system for sculpting a region of a cornea to effect a predetermined change in shape, the system comprising:
- a laser for generating a first laser beam suitable for ablation of the cornea;
- an optical element optically coupled to the first laser beam, the optical element separating the first laser beam into a plurality of laser beams;
- and
- an optical train optically coupled to the beams so as to direct the plurality of optical beams simultaneously toward differing areas of the cornea, the differing areas defining an ablation pattern, the optical train comprising an adjustment mechanism for altering the ablation pattern during an ablation procedure.
A laser system for sculpting a region of a cornea of an eye to effect a predetermined change in shape, the system comprising:
- a laser for generating a laser beam of an ablative energy, the laser beam being pulsed to generate a first plurality of laser beam pulses;
- a spatial integrator comprising a hexagonal array for splitting the laser beam into a second plurality of seven laser beams, and for contouring the laser beam intensity from an initial energy profile distribution to a predetermined integrated laser beam energy profile distribution at the spatial integration plane whereby the second plurality of seven beams overlap;
- a temporal integrator for rotating the second plurality of seven simultaneous beams amid the laser beam pulses of the first plurality;
- a variable aperture for controlling the passing of the beam, the aperture being positioned to intercept the laser beam at a plane other than the spatial integration plane, a dimension of the aperture changing and the aperture rotating amid the pulses of the first plurality;
- an optical element for simultaneously overlapping the second plurality of seven beams, the optical element comprising an imaging system for forming a blurred image of the aperture on the region;
- a scanning element for translating the second plurality of seven simultaneous beams amid the first plurality of laser beam pulses;
- and
- a collimation lens positioned about the aperture for focusing the beam to a waist near a focal point of the imaging system to collimate the beam near the region.
A laser system for sculpting a region of a cornea to effect a predetermined change in shape, the system comprising:
- a laser for generating a first beam of laser energy suitable for ablation of the cornea;
- and
- an optical train coupled to the beam, the optical train including an optical element which separates the first beam into a plurality of laser beams, wherein the optical train directs the plurality of optical beams toward partially overlapping areas of the cornea.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.