Scanning laser ophthalmoscope for selective therapeutic laser

A combination of a scanning laser ophthalmoscope and external therapeutic laser source, for delivering laser light to the retina of an eye comprising the elements of:

• A. said scanning laser ophthalmoscope, including a diagnostic laser source emitting a laser beam of a first wavelength, scanning means to create a first pivot point for said laser beam of a first wavelength, and first detecting means for generating video images of said retina with an electronic means of said scanning laser ophthalmoscope;
• B. a second diagnostic laser source emitting a laser beam of a second wavelength that is visible to said eye and is scanned through said pivot point, said scanning laser ophthalmoscope having further modulating means for said laser beam of a second wavelength for creating a fixation target visible to said eye;
• C. said therapeutic laser source and a fiber optic delivery means, emitting a laser beam of a third wavelength and having controlling means for size, polarization and intensity of said laser beam of a third wavelength;
• D. opto-mechanical means for coupling said scanning laser ophthalmoscope with said therapeutic laser source including a beam splitter, focusing means and structural support means, said beam splitter on which a coating is applied to permit said laser beam of a first wavelength, said laser beam of a second wavelength and said laser beam of a third wavelength to be combined before entering said eye, and said focusing means comprising a first optical means for collimating said laser beam of third wavelength and a second optical means for focusing said laser beam of a third wavelength onto said retina of said eye, and said structural support means calibrated to create a second pivot for said laser beam of a third wavelength, substantially coincident with said first pivot point of said scanning laser ophthalmoscope;
• E. second detecting means in said scanning laser ophthalmoscope comprising optical filter means for detecting by preference laser light of said third wavelength, said second detecting means generating video images of the impact of said laser light on said retina;
• F. image processing means comprising a computer and an imaging card capable of generating overlay graphics, said imaging card further including means for synchronizing the video images produced by said first and said second detecting means to timing signals provided by said electronic means of said scanning laser ophthalmoscope, and output means to document the location of said laser beam of a third wavelength on said retina;
• further including the improvement of a spatial modulator, said spatial modulator comprising a transmitting area for said laser light of said third wavelength and a blocking area for laser light of said third wavelength, said spatial modulator positioned in proximity of a confocal plane of said retina and said spatial modulator being transilluminated with said laser light of a third wavelength that is collimated by said first optical means of said focusing means, and subsequently focused onto said retina with said second optical means, said transmitting area conforming to a predetermined shape and size;
• thereby increasing the spatial selectivity of said therapeutic laser source when said laser beam of a third wavelength is applied to said retina of said eye.