Optical angular measurement system for ophthalmic applications and method for positioning of a toric intraocular lens with increased accuracy

#1. Field of the Invention

#The field of the invention relates to ophthalmic equipment and procedures, such as, for example, equipment and procedures for performing cataract surgery.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and features of the invention are described herein. Certain embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only.

#FIG. 1 includes a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of an optical angular measurement system for projecting an image of an angular measurement reticle onto a patient's eye, as well as a cut-away view of the optical angular measurement system.

#FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an angular measurement reticle to be imaged onto a patient's eye using, for example, the optical angular measurement system of FIG. 1.

#Various embodiments of an optical angular measurement system for projecting an image of an angular measurement reticle, or other angular measurement and/or alignment indicia, onto the eye of a patient, or for superimposing an image of the angular measurement reticle, or other angular measurement and/or alignment indicia, onto an image of the patient's eye, for example, are described herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Also described herein are various methods and devices for aligning the astigmatic axis of a toric IOL with the astigmatic axis of the cornea of a patient's eye during cataract surgery. It should be understood that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are provided for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting. Not necessarily all described features and advantages of the various embodiments are achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught herein.

#Optical Angular Measurement Systems

#FIG. 1 includes a perspective exploded view 202 of an embodiment of an optical angular measurement system 200 for projecting an image of an angular measurement reticle 208 onto a patient's eye. FIG. 1 also includes a cutaway view 204 of the optical angular measurement system 200. The optical angular measurement system 200 can be used, for example, to perform angular measurements and/or alignments with respect to a patient's eye (e.g., angular measurements of, on, or in the patient's eye). In some embodiments, the optical angular measurement system 200 includes a light source 206, an angular measurement reticle 208, an imaging lens 210, and an output aperture 212. The optical angular measurement system 200 may also include a mounting bracket 214 for mounting the optical angular measurement system 200 to a support structure, or ophthalmic instrument, that fixedly supports the optical angular measurement system 200 spatially with respect to a patient's eye such that an image of the angular measurement reticle 208 is projected onto the eye. The optical components of the optical angular measurement system 200 may be mounted within a housing 216, such as a lens tube or the like.