US6099522A — Automated laser workstation for high precision su…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 353 words

A laser workstation for precision ophthalmic surgery at a surgery site in a patient's eye tissue, comprising: therapeutic laser means for generating a short pulse laser beam capable of effecting photodisruption of the patient's eye tissue so as to effect desired surgery by sequences of pulses traversing through a surgical path in the eye tissue, including within transparent tissue of the patient's eye, user interface means including control means for enabling a surgeon to select and initiate a pattern of surgery in the eye tissue of the patient, and including high resolution video imaging means for presenting live, magnified video images of the surgery site to the surgeon on a video monitor, a laser beam delivery system including (a) optical path means for receiving the short pulse laser beam and for aiming the beam at a point in X-Y directions and focussing the beam at a depth as desired toward a target in the patient's eye, including a front lens element from which the beam exits the optical path means toward the patient, (b) beam steering means connected to the optical path means for controlling the position at which the beam is aimed in X-Y directions, (c) beam focussing means connected to the optical path means for controlling the depth at which the laser beam is focussed, tracking means for tracking eye movements of the patient during the progress of the surgery, including X-Y tracking means for tracking a feature of the eye in X and Y directions, and depth or Z tracking means for tracking depth movements of the eye's feature, toward and away from the workstation, microprocessor means connected to the tracking means for automatically shifting the optical path means as the feature of the eye is tracked through X-Y and Z movements, so as to change the aim and focus of the laser beam when necessary to follow such movements of the eye, and safety interrupt means associated with the microprocessor means for interrupting delivery of the laser beam to the patient when it is determined via the microprocessor means that the tracking means has lost the feature being tracked.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 353 words

A laser workstation for precision ophthalmic surgery at a surgery site in a patient's eye tissue, comprising: therapeutic laser means for generating a short pulse laser beam capable of effecting photodisruption of the patient's eye tissue so as to effect desired surgery by sequences of pulses traversing through a surgical path in the eye tissue, including within transparent tissue of the patient's eye, user interface means including control means for enabling a surgeon to select and initiate a pattern of surgery in the eye tissue of the patient, and including high resolution video imaging means for presenting live, magnified video images of the surgery site to the surgeon on a video monitor, a laser beam delivery system including (a) optical path means for receiving the short pulse laser beam and for aiming the beam at a point in X-Y directions and focussing the beam at a depth as desired toward a target in the patient's eye, including a front lens element from which the beam exits the optical path means toward the patient, (b) beam steering means connected to the optical path means for controlling the position at which the beam is aimed in X-Y directions, (c) beam focussing means connected to the optical path means for controlling the depth at which the laser beam is focussed, tracking means for tracking eye movements of the patient during the progress of the surgery, including X-Y tracking means for tracking a feature of the eye in X and Y directions, and depth or Z tracking means for tracking depth movements of the eye's feature, toward and away from the workstation, microprocessor means connected to the tracking means for automatically shifting the optical path means as the feature of the eye is tracked through X-Y and Z movements, so as to change the aim and focus of the laser beam when necessary to follow such movements of the eye, and safety interrupt means associated with the microprocessor means for interrupting delivery of the laser beam to the patient when it is determined via the microprocessor means that the tracking means has lost the feature being tracked.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 72 words

A laser workstation according to claim 1, further including laser energy monitoring means for sampling the laser beam from the optical path means, and for feeding a signal representing the laser beam's energy magnitude to the microprocessor means, and the safety interrupt means further including means for interrupting delivery of the laser beam when the signal from the laser energy monitoring means indicate that energy is above or below a prescribed range.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 65 words

A laser workstation according to claim 1, further including parallax depth ranging means connected into the optical path means, for tracking the depth of the eye's feature in a broader range of depth than the Z tracking means, the parallax depth ranging means being connected to the microprocessor means and being effective to assist in focussing the treatment beam to structure below the transparent cornea.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

A laser workstation according to claim 1, wherein the eye has a limbus, and the X-Y tracking means includes means for tracking the limbus of the eye.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 53 words

A laser workstation according to claim 1, further including template means under the control of the user for generating and implementing a preprogrammed template or path of successive laser photodisruption points across the patient's eye tissue, and for automatically carrying out the template-controlled surgery without active participation by the user during the surgery.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 30 words

A laser workstation according to claim 1, wherein the Z tracking means comprises a separate tracking subassembly from the X-Y tracking means, both being folded onto the optical path means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 28 words

A laser workstation according to claim 6, wherein the Z-tracking means includes means for maintaining essentially constant distance between the front lens element and the targeted eye tissue.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 27 words

A laser workstation according to claim 4, wherein the eye has a limbus, and the X-Y tracking means comprises means for tracking the limbus of the eye.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 44 words

A laser workstation according to claim 1, wherein the video imaging means and the microprocessor means include means for displaying an indicated laser aim point on the live video images on the video monitor, superimposed on the surgery site in the patient's eye tissue.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 31 words

A laser workstation according to claim 9, further including means for displaying on the video monitor a depth or Z position of the laser aiming point in the patient's eye tissue.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 42 words

A laser workstation according to claim 1, further including template means for enabling the user to draw, adjust or designate a particular template pattern of preprogrammed surgery, as overlaid on video images of the patient's eye tissue displayed on the video monitor.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 54 words

A laser workstation according to claim 11, wherein the template means includes means for converting a template pattern into a sequence of automatic motion instructions to direct a laser beam to focus sequentially on a number of points in three-dimensional space which will, in turn, replicate the designated template pattern onto the surgery site.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 47 words

A laser workstation according to claim 1, wherein the high resolution video imaging means is coaxial with the laser beam through the front lens element of the optical path means and includes zooming means for enabling selectable variable magnification of the video image on the video monitor.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 21 words

A laser workstation according to claim 13, wherein the zooming means includes means for providing variable magnification up to 250 times.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

A laser workstation according to claim 13, wherein the high resolution video imaging means has a resolution of better than five microns.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 40 words

A laser workstation according to claim 1, further including ocular topographic mapping means connected into the optical path means, for determining surface shapes of the eye and for displaying such shapes and data regarding such shapes on the video monitor.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 58 words

A laser workstation according to claim 16, wherein the eye has a cornea with an epithelium, and endothelium, and a thickness, and the ocular topographic mapping means includes means for determining topographical shapes of at least the epithelium and the endothelium of the cornea, as well as the thickness of the cornea between the epithelium and the endothelium.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

A laser workstation according to claim 17, wherein the ocular topographic mapping means further includes means for determining topographical shapes of the ocular lens.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 46 words

A laser workstation according to claim 16, wherein the ocular topographic mapping means includes means acting in combination with the microprocessor means for displaying on the video monitor a video image of a contour elevation map of a surface of the eye, in different selectable perspectives.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 37 words

A laser workstation according to claim 19, wherein the topographic mapping means and the microprocessor means further include numerical display means for displaying on the video monitor diagnostic data pertaining to shapes of surfaces of the eye.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 40 words

A laser workstation according to claim 19, further including superimposing means associated with the video monitor and the microprocessor means for enabling the surgeon to superimpose a pattern of proposed surgery on the video image of the contour elevation map.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 330 words

A method for conducting precision ophthalmic surgery at a surgery site on or in a patient's eye tissue, comprising: generating a short pulse laser beam capable of effecting photodisruption of the patient's eye tissue so as to effect desired surgery by sequences of pulses traversing through a surgical path in the eye tissue, including within transparent tissue of the patient's eye, providing a user interface control means for enabling a surgeon to select and initiate a pattern of surgery in the eye tissue of the patient, presenting live, high resolution, magnified video images of the surgery site to the surgeon on a video monitor, using a high resolution video imaging means, with a laser beam delivery system, performing the steps of (a) receiving the short pulse laser beam and aiming the beam at a point in X-Y directions and focussing the beam at a depth with optical means and when appropriate toward a target in the patient's eye, through a front lens element, (b) controlling the position at which the beam is aimed in X-Y directions, using a beam steering means connected to the optical means, (c) controlling the depth at which the laser beam is focussed, with a beam focussing means connected to the optical means, tracking eye movements of the patient during the progress of the surgery, in X and Y directions, with an X-Y tracking means for tracking a feature of the eye, and as to depth movements of the eye with a depth or Z tracking means, automatically shifting the optical path means as the feature of the eye is tracked through X-Y and Z movements, so as to change the aim and focus of the laser beam when necessary to follow such movements of the eye, with the aid of a microprocessor connected to the tracking means, and automatically interrupting delivery of the laser beam to the patient when it is determined via the microprocessor that the tracking means has lost the feature being tracked.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 330 words

A method for conducting precision ophthalmic surgery at a surgery site on or in a patient's eye tissue, comprising: generating a short pulse laser beam capable of effecting photodisruption of the patient's eye tissue so as to effect desired surgery by sequences of pulses traversing through a surgical path in the eye tissue, including within transparent tissue of the patient's eye, providing a user interface control means for enabling a surgeon to select and initiate a pattern of surgery in the eye tissue of the patient, presenting live, high resolution, magnified video images of the surgery site to the surgeon on a video monitor, using a high resolution video imaging means, with a laser beam delivery system, performing the steps of (a) receiving the short pulse laser beam and aiming the beam at a point in X-Y directions and focussing the beam at a depth with optical means and when appropriate toward a target in the patient's eye, through a front lens element, (b) controlling the position at which the beam is aimed in X-Y directions, using a beam steering means connected to the optical means, (c) controlling the depth at which the laser beam is focussed, with a beam focussing means connected to the optical means, tracking eye movements of the patient during the progress of the surgery, in X and Y directions, with an X-Y tracking means for tracking a feature of the eye, and as to depth movements of the eye with a depth or Z tracking means, automatically shifting the optical path means as the feature of the eye is tracked through X-Y and Z movements, so as to change the aim and focus of the laser beam when necessary to follow such movements of the eye, with the aid of a microprocessor connected to the tracking means, and automatically interrupting delivery of the laser beam to the patient when it is determined via the microprocessor that the tracking means has lost the feature being tracked.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 62 words

The method of claim 22, further including tracking the depth of the eye's feature in a broader range of depth than the Z tracking means with a parallax depth ranging means, the parallax depth ranging means being connected to the microprocessor means, and using the parallax depth ranging means to assist in focussing the treatment beam to structure below the transparent cornea.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 22, including maintaining essentially constant distance between the front lens element and the targeted eye tissue using the Z-tracking means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 22, wherein the step of tracking eye movements in X and Y directions comprises tracking the limbus of the eye.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 22, including automatically displaying an indicated laser aim point on the live video image, superimposed on the surgery site in the patient's eye tissue on the video monitor, using the microprocessor and the video imaging means.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 26, further including automatically displaying on the video monitor a depth or Z position of the laser aiming point in the patient's eye tissue.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 22, wherein the ophthalmic surgery site is the patient's cornea, the desired pattern of surgery being a pattern of corneal refractive surgery.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 28, wherein the laser beam is focussed below the anterior surface of the cornea to make a desired pattern of incisions to effect optical correction of deficiencies by creating a precise lesion within the stroma.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 22, further including determining surface shapes of the eye automatically using an ocular topographic mapping means connected to the optical path means and displaying such shapes and data regarding such shapes on the video monitor.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 30, including determining topographical shapes of at least the epithelium and the endothelium of the cornea, as well as the thickness of the cornea between the epithelium and the endothelium.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 30, including displaying on the video monitor a contour elevation map of a surface of the eye, in different selectable perspectives, using the ocular topographical mapping means in cooperation with the microprocessor.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 32, further including displaying on the monitor relevant numerical diagnostic data pertaining to shapes of surfaces of the eye, using topographic mapping means and the microprocessor.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 32, further including, under the control of the surgeon, superimposing a pattern of proposed surgery on the video image of the contour elevation map on the video monitor.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method of claim 22, further including monitoring substantially continuously the laser beam from the optical means, and feeding a signal representing the energy magnitude to the microprocessor, and automatically interrupting delivery of the laser beam when the signals from laser energy monitoring indicate that energy is above or below a prescribed range.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 35, wherein the laser beam is focussed into the lens of the eye for modification to effect precise lesions for the prevention of presbyopia.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 61 words

The method of claim 36, further including tracking the depth of the eye's feature in a broader range of depth than the Z-tracking means with a parallax depth ranging means, the parallel depth ranging means being connected to the microprocessor means, and using the parallax depth ranging means to assist in focusing the treatment beam to structure below the transparent cornea.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 36, wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is in the range of about 450 to 900 nanometers.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 35 wherein the laser beam is focused onto the retina of the eye to treat retinal membranes or to perform photocoagulation to correct or prevent macular degeneration or to perform pan-retinal photocoagulation.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method of claim 39, wherein the laser beam has a pulse repetition rate of at least about 200 pps, each of the laser pulses having less than about two millijoules energy per pulse in a near-diffraction limited beam, i.e. a beam having energy of about 1.5 to 2.5 times diffraction limit energy.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 40, wherein the laser has a wavelength between about 450 and 650 nanometers.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 64 words

The method of claim 35, wherein the pulsed laser beam is generated at a repetition rate of at least about 200 pulses per second, with each pulse having less than two millijoules energy in a near-diffraction-limited beam, each pulse having a duration between about one and twenty nanoseconds, and wherein the laser beam is focussed to a spot size of less than five microns.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 42, wherein the laser beam is pulsed at a repetition of over 1000 pps and focussed onto the lens of the eye, the pattern of surgery being such as to remove cataracts from the lens.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 42, wherein the laser beam is focussed on the posterior capsule of the eye, the pattern of surgery being such as to effect capsulotomy.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 42, including focussing the laser beam onto Schlemm's canal of the eye, to perform trabeculoplasty.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 42, wherein the laser beam is focussed into the sclera of the eye, to perform sclerectomy.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 46, wherein the step of tracking eye movements in X and Y directions comprises tracking the limbus of the eye.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 42, wherein the laser beam is focussed into the iris of the eye, to perform iridectomy.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 48, wherein the step of tracking eye movements in X and Y directions comprises tracking the limbus of the eye.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 48, further including determining surface shapes of the eye automatically using an ocular topographic mapping means connected to the optical path means and displaying such shapes and data regarding such shapes on the video monitor.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 47 words

The method of claim 42, wherein the laser beam is focussed below the anterior surface of the cornea, and including the steps of making incisions to effect optical corrections of deficiencies such as myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism, through the creation of a precise lesion within the stroma.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 51, including maintaining essentially constant distance between the front lens element and the targeted eye tissue using the Z-tracking means.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 51, wherein the step of tracking eye movements in X and Y directions comprises tracking the limbus of the eye.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 35, further including, under the control of the surgeon, drawing, adjusting or designating a particular template pattern of pre-programmed surgery, as overlaid on video images of the patient's eye tissue displayed on the video monitor.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 51, wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is maintained in a range between about 450 and 900 nanometers, thereby permitting reasonably good transmission through the cornea.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 55, wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is approximately 532 nanometers.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 51, further including determining surface shapes of the eye automatically using an ocular topographic mapping means connected to the optical path means and displaying such shapes and data regarding such shapes on the video monitor.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 57, including determining topographical shapes of at least the epithelium and the endothelium of the cornea, as well as the thickness of the cornea between the epithelium and the endothelium.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 57, including displaying on the video monitor a contour elevation map of a surface of the eye, in different selectable perspectives, using the ocular topographic mapping means in cooperation with the microprocessor.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 59, further including, under the control of the surgeon, superimposing a pattern of proposed surgery on the video image of the contour elevation map on the video monitor.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 402 words

A laser workstation for precision laser interventions on a work site target at a work site, for carrying out a precision operation directed by a user, the workstation comprising: a laser generating a pulsed laser beam capable of effecting a desired type of intervention on the work site so as to effect the operation on or in the work site by sequences of pulses traversing an optical path, a user interface coupled to the laser, the user interface including a control input enabling the user to initiate a pattern of interventions at the work site, and including an imaging system presenting images of the work site to the user, a laser beam delivery system including: (a) an optical train in the optical path of the beam, the optical train aiming the beam at a point in X-Y directions as desired toward a work site target according to the pattern and including a front element from which the beam is transmitted toward the work site, (b) a beam steering mechanism coupled to the optical path so as to control the position at which the beam is aimed in X-Y directions, a template controller in communication with the beam steering mechanism so as to define the pattern of successive laser interventions across the work site as overlaid on magnified images of the work site, and for automatically carrying out the template-controlled interventions without active participation by the user during the operation, the template controller including a library of stored preprogrammed templates and configured to, in response to input from the user, select a template from the template library, scale the template, and situate the template relative to the worksite, a tracking system generating signals in response to movements of the work site during the progress of the operation, the tracking system including an X-Y tracker for tracking a feature of the worksite in X and Y directions, a processor coupling the tracking system to the beam steering mechanism so as to automatically shift the optical path as the feature of the work site is tracked through X-Y movements, and so as to change the aim of the laser beam to follow such movements of the feature, and an interrupt circuit coupled to the microprocessor, the interrupt circuit interrupting delivery of the laser beam to the work site when it is determined via the microprocessor that the tracking system has lost the feature being tracked.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 402 words

A laser workstation for precision laser interventions on a work site target at a work site, for carrying out a precision operation directed by a user, the workstation comprising: a laser generating a pulsed laser beam capable of effecting a desired type of intervention on the work site so as to effect the operation on or in the work site by sequences of pulses traversing an optical path, a user interface coupled to the laser, the user interface including a control input enabling the user to initiate a pattern of interventions at the work site, and including an imaging system presenting images of the work site to the user, a laser beam delivery system including: (a) an optical train in the optical path of the beam, the optical train aiming the beam at a point in X-Y directions as desired toward a work site target according to the pattern and including a front element from which the beam is transmitted toward the work site, (b) a beam steering mechanism coupled to the optical path so as to control the position at which the beam is aimed in X-Y directions, a template controller in communication with the beam steering mechanism so as to define the pattern of successive laser interventions across the work site as overlaid on magnified images of the work site, and for automatically carrying out the template-controlled interventions without active participation by the user during the operation, the template controller including a library of stored preprogrammed templates and configured to, in response to input from the user, select a template from the template library, scale the template, and situate the template relative to the worksite, a tracking system generating signals in response to movements of the work site during the progress of the operation, the tracking system including an X-Y tracker for tracking a feature of the worksite in X and Y directions, a processor coupling the tracking system to the beam steering mechanism so as to automatically shift the optical path as the feature of the work site is tracked through X-Y movements, and so as to change the aim of the laser beam to follow such movements of the feature, and an interrupt circuit coupled to the microprocessor, the interrupt circuit interrupting delivery of the laser beam to the work site when it is determined via the microprocessor that the tracking system has lost the feature being tracked.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 372 words

A laser workstation for precision laser interventions on a work site target, for carrying out a precision operation, comprising: laser means for generating a short pulse laser beam capable of effecting a desired type of intervention on the work site so as to effect the operation by sequences of pulses traversing through a path on or in the work site, user interface means including control means for enabling a user to select and initiate a pattern of interventions at the work site, and including video imaging means with a video monitor, for presenting video images of the work site to the user, a laser beam delivery system including (a) optical path means for receiving the short pulse laser beam and for aiming the beam at a point in X-Y directions and focussing the beam at a depth as desired toward a work site target including a front lens element from which the beam exits the optical path means toward the worksite, (b) beam steering means connected to the optical path means for controlling the position at which the beam is aimed in X-Y directions, (c) beam focussing means connected to the optical path means for controlling the depth at which the laser beam is focussed, template means controlled by the user for generating and implementing a template or path of successive laser interventions across the work site as overlaid on magnified video images of the work site displayed on the video monitor, and for automatically carrying out the template-controlled interventions without active participation by the user during the operation, tracking means for tracking movements of the work site during the progress of the operation, including X-Y tracking means for tracking a feature of the worksite in X and Y directions, microprocessor means connected to the tracking means for automatically shifting the optical path means as the feature of the work site is tracked through X-Y movements, so as to change the aim of the laser beam when necessary to follow such movements of the feature, and interrupt means associated with the microprocessor means for interrupting delivery of the laser beam to the work site when it is determined via the microprocessor means that the tracking means has lost the feature being tracked.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 372 words

A laser workstation for precision laser interventions on a work site target, for carrying out a precision operation, comprising: laser means for generating a short pulse laser beam capable of effecting a desired type of intervention on the work site so as to effect the operation by sequences of pulses traversing through a path on or in the work site, user interface means including control means for enabling a user to select and initiate a pattern of interventions at the work site, and including video imaging means with a video monitor, for presenting video images of the work site to the user, a laser beam delivery system including (a) optical path means for receiving the short pulse laser beam and for aiming the beam at a point in X-Y directions and focussing the beam at a depth as desired toward a work site target including a front lens element from which the beam exits the optical path means toward the worksite, (b) beam steering means connected to the optical path means for controlling the position at which the beam is aimed in X-Y directions, (c) beam focussing means connected to the optical path means for controlling the depth at which the laser beam is focussed, template means controlled by the user for generating and implementing a template or path of successive laser interventions across the work site as overlaid on magnified video images of the work site displayed on the video monitor, and for automatically carrying out the template-controlled interventions without active participation by the user during the operation, tracking means for tracking movements of the work site during the progress of the operation, including X-Y tracking means for tracking a feature of the worksite in X and Y directions, microprocessor means connected to the tracking means for automatically shifting the optical path means as the feature of the work site is tracked through X-Y movements, so as to change the aim of the laser beam when necessary to follow such movements of the feature, and interrupt means associated with the microprocessor means for interrupting delivery of the laser beam to the work site when it is determined via the microprocessor means that the tracking means has lost the feature being tracked.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 33 words

A laser workstation according to claim 62, wherein the template means includes means for enabling selection of a template from a library of stored preprogrammed templates, as said means for generating a template.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 30 words

A laser workstation according to claim 62, further including means for displaying on the video monitor a depth or Z position of the laser aiming point in the worksite target.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 54 words

A laser workstation according to claim 62, wherein the template means includes means for converting a template pattern into a sequence of automatic motion instructions to direct a laser beam to focus sequentially on a number of points in three-dimensional space which will, in turn, replicate the designated template pattern onto the work site.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 18 words

A laser workstation according to claim 62, wherein the laser means generates a beam of visible laser light.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 22 words

A laser workstation according to claim 62, wherein the laser means generates a laser beam having a wavelength of about 532 nanometers.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 35 words

A laser workstation according to claim 62, wherein the laser means generates a laser beam having a wavelength and sufficient power density and fluence to effect photoablation on the exterior surface of the work site.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 43 words

A laser workstation according to claim 62, wherein the laser means generates a laser beam having a wavelength and sufficient power density and fluence to effect photodisruption with each pulse within the work site, under a transparent outer surface of the work site.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 33 words

A laser workstation according to claim 62, further including depth or Z-tracking means with means for positioning and maintaining essentially constant distance between the front lens element and the feature of the workpiece.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 20 words

A laser workstation according to claim 70, wherein the means for positioning and maintaining has a resolution within one micron.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 69 words

A laser workstation according to claim 70, further including parallax depth ranging means connected into the optical path means, for tracking the depth of the work site in a broader range of depth than the Z-tracking means, the parallax depth ranging means being connected to the microprocessor means and being effective to assist in focusing the treatment beam to structure below a transparent outer surface of the work site.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 45 words

A laser workstation according to claim 62, wherein the video imaging means is coaxial with the laser beam through the front lens element of the optical path means and includes zooming means for enabling selectable variable magnification of the video image on the video monitor.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 25 words

A laser workstation according to claim 73, wherein the zooming means includes means for providing variable magnification of the worksite target up to 250 times.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 21 words

A laser workstation according to claim 74, wherein the resolution of the video imaging means is at least within five microns.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 22 words

A laser workstation according to claim 62, wherein the laser means generates a laser beam having a wavelength in the ultraviolet range.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 21 words

A laser workstation according to claim 76, wherein the laser means generates a beam having a wavelength of about 177 nanometers.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 22 words

A laser workstation according to claim 76, wherein the laser means generates a laser beam having a wavelength of about 215 nanometers.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 22 words

A laser workstation according to claim 76, wherein the laser means generates a laser beam having a wavelength of about 266 nanometers.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 22 words

A laser workstation according to claim 76, wherein the laser means generates a laser beam having a wavelength of about 355 nanometers.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-08-08	2004-02-07	2004-08-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-08-08	2008-02-07	2008-08-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-08-08	2012-02-07	2012-08-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Automated laser workstation for high precision surgical and industrial interventions

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