Method and apparatus for determining characteristics of a laser beam spot
AssigneeVISX, Incorporated
InventorsKingman Yee, Terrance N. Clapham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of determining the dimensions of a laser beam spot, comprising: scanning the laser beam in a path across a reference-edge having a photodetector positioned therebehind; and measuring an output signal from the photodetector during the scanning, the output signal corresponding to an area of the laser beam spot incident on the photodetector during the scanning. A method of aligning a laser beam delivery system, the method comprising: positioning a measurement/alignment tool at a target location; firing the laser beam on the tool; observing the laser beam using the tool; and adjusting the system in response to the sensed laser beam.
Claims16
A method of determining a characteristic of a pulsed laser beam, comprising:
- scanning the pulsed laser beam in a first path across a first reference-edge;
- scanning the pulsed laser beam in a second path across a second reference-edge, wherein a photodetector is positioned behind the first and second reference-edges, and wherein the first and second reference-edges are disposed at an angle to one another;
- and
- measuring an output signal from the photodetector during the scaling, the output signal corresponding to an area of the laser beam incident on the photodetector during the scanning;
- and
- splitting the laser beam so that it is simultaneously incident on the photodetector and on a patient's cornea.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.