Ocular fixation and stabilization device for ophthalmic surgical applications

An interface, adapted to couple a patient's eye to a surgical laser system, the interface comprising:

• an attachment ring, the ring overlaying the anterior surface of the eye:
• a lens cone, the lens cone defining a first plane surface and coupled to a delivery tin of the surgical laser such that the delivery tip is positionally referenced to the first plane surface wherein the lens cone comprises an apex ring coupled to the first plane surface;
• and an applanation lens disposed at a distal end of the apex ring;
• a gripper, including a first receptacle for receiving the attachment ring;
• a central orifice for receiving the lens cone, the gripper stabilizing the relative positions of the lens cone and the attachment ring when the cone and ring are received within the gripper;
• and a pair of expandable jaws, the jaws expanding a diameter of the central orifice when opened and contracting a diameter of the central orifice when allowed to relax;
• and
• a pair of opposed lever handles, coupled to the jaws, the lever handles applying an opening pressure to the jaws when the opposed handles are squeezed together.

An interface, adapted to couple a patient's eye to a surgical laser, the interface comprising:

• flexible attachment means for overlaying the anterior surface of an eye and for stable engagement to the eye, wherein the flexible attachment means comprises an annular suction cavity, disposed in a portion of the attachment means facing the anterior surface of an eye and in proximate contact with the anterior surface of the eye;
• and a fluid communication channel, coupled between the suction cavity and a vacuum source, wherein as the attachment means is positioned proximate to an eye, a suction is communicated to the annular suction cavity thereby engaging the attachment means to the eye;
• applanation means for defining an applanation surface, the applanation surface bounded by a plane and coupled to a delivery tip of the surgical laser such that the delivery tip is referenced to the plane, wherein the applanation means comprises a lens cone, the lens cone defining a first surface and coupled to a delivery tip of the surgical laser such that the delivery tip is positionally referenced to the first surface;
• an apex ring coupled to the first surface;
• and an applanation lens disposed at a distal end of the apex ring, the applanation lens defining a second surface, referenced to the first surface such that the delivery tip is positionally referenced to the second surface;
• and
• gripper means, including a receptacle for receiving the attachment means, the gripper further including engagement means for receiving the applanation means, the gripper means stabilizing the relative positions of the applanation means and the attachment means with respect to one another and thereby with respect to the patient's eye.