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EP0326760A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Laser beam guidance apparatus

Assignee: Intelligent Surgical Lasers Corp
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Filing: 1988-12-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-12-22
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Abstract

Abstract A laser beam guidance system comprises a combination of mirrors that establishes an optical channel within which the laser beam (22) is confined for movement. The system also includes means for moving the combination of mirrors to spatially reorient the optical channel. A beam steering scanner located on the path of the laser beam moves the beam within the optical channel onto selected paths which generally follow the longitudinal axis of the channel. Additionally, a focusing element (26) in the system brings the beam into focus at selectable points on the beam. In accordance with a pre-established program, the beam is moved within the channel and focused at points along the beam to photochemically affect cells in the cornea of the eye.

Inventors

  • 👤 Josef F. Bille
  • 👤 Stuart I. Brown

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 13:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00802; A61F9/00804; A61B2018/00636; A61F2009/00853; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00872; A61F2009/00878; A61F2009/00882

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 63 words
Laser beam guidance apparatus for focusing a laser beam at a predetermined point in space comprising directing means for directing the laser beam along a path, focusing means to focus the laser beam at a pre­selected point on the path, and steering means to steer the path to bring the preselected point on the path into coincidence with the predetermined point in space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 63 words
Laser beam guidance apparatus for focusing a laser beam at a predetermined point in space comprising directing means for directing the laser beam along a path, focusing means to focus the laser beam at a pre­selected point on the path, and steering means to steer the path to bring the preselected point on the path into coincidence with the predetermined point in space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 91 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said laser beam can be focused into a point in a solid body, said directing means being adapted to direct said beam onto a portion of a surface of said body along a first axis substantially perpendicular to said first portion, said steering means being adapted to selectively redirect said beam onto a second portion of said surface along a second axis substantially perpendicular to said second portion, and said focusing means being adapted to focus said beam along said respective first or second axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 further comprising a position director to reorient said optical channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 47 words
Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said position director comprises a pivot mirror, a plane mirror, and an objective lens system sequentially oriented along said path of said beam and movable with respect thereto for reorienting said optical channel while maintaining the length of said optical channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said focusing means comprises a convex lens positionable along said path of said beam for focusing said beam at said preselected point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 29 words
Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said focusing means comprises an active mirror positioned along said path of said beam for focusing said beam in accordance with predetermined input.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 27 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said steering means comprises a plurality of galvanometric mirrors positioned along said path of said beam to alter said path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 69 words
Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said apparatus is computer controlled, said laser beam being focused in accordance with a computer program, said steering means being electrically connected with said computer and said laser beam being steered in accordance with said program of said computer, and said focusing means being adapted to focus said laser beam at a predetermined point in accordance with said program of said computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 34 words
Apparatus according to Claim 8 when dependent upon Claim 6 wherein said active mirror is electronically connected with said computer for providing fine variations in focusing of said beam to account for programmed input.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 68 words
A method for focusing laser energy at a pre­determined point in space which comprises the steps of directing a laser beam along a path, confining said path within an optical channel, focusing said laser beam at a preselected point on said path, and steering said path of said beam within said channel to bring said preselected point on said path into coincidence with said pre­determined point in space.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 68 words
A method for focusing laser energy at a pre­determined point in space which comprises the steps of directing a laser beam along a path, confining said path within an optical channel, focusing said laser beam at a preselected point on said path, and steering said path of said beam within said channel to bring said preselected point on said path into coincidence with said pre­determined point in space.

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