US 9,789,002 B2 · Electronic ophthalmoscope for selective retinal photodisruption of the photoreceptor mosaic

Abstract

An electronic SLO/OCT ophthalmoscope is equipped with a femtosecond (fs) laser for intra- or preretinal therapeutic use in the posterior segment of the eye. In one application the retina photoreceptor mosaic or Bruch's membrane is disrupted in such pattern that minimizes loss of visual functioning but reduces metabolic load of the outer retina. Using a beam splitter, one embodiment combines the SLO/OCT scanning beams with the therapeutic fs beam and an aiming beam. The therapeutic channel uses an independent x/y positioner and micro-deflector. Because the duty cycle is appropriate, a second embodiment can use the SLO/OCT scanners to also simultaneously scan a modulated therapeutic laser beam. A biometric OCT probe can be integrated in both configurations for focusing purpose. A method is disclosed to represent focus relevant tilting of the retina in the posterior pole. A derived apodizing “Stiles-Crawford” pupil weighting function is also independently useful for calculating light efficiency throughput of the anterior eye optics (cornea and iol/natural lens) in various circumstances.

Claims8

Dependent claims

An ophthalmoscope apparatus for delivering short pulsed laser applications to the retina of an eye comprising:

A. an imaging channel including a first light source, a projecting means, focusing means, and at least one detection means for producing a fiduciary reference image of said retina of said eye;
B. a therapeutic laser channel including a femtosecond domain pulsed laser beam second light source capable of retinal photodisruption, and a second focusing means to adjust the position in depth of the waist of said beam inside said retina of said eye, further including a deflecting means for causing a fast succession of small angle deviations of said beam;
C. a coupling means including a beam splitter to combine said imaging channel and said therapeutic laser channel, and further including a positioning means for causing a slow succession of large angle deviations of said beam, to adjust the lateral position of the waist of said beam inside said retina of said eye;
D. a synchronizing means for establishing an appropriate duty-cycle for said pulsed laser beam to deliver a predetermined pattern of photodisruptive applications in said retina at a desired depth.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electronic ophthalmoscope for selective retinal photodisruption of the photoreceptor mosaic

Life of this patent

Electronic ophthalmoscope for selective retinal photodisruption of the photoreceptor mosaic

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8