Other

Kestrel Corporation

Gavin R G Erry

Paul Wollcott Harrison

Leonard John Otten, Iii

Simon C Woods

Eugene W Butler

Boyd V Hunter

L John Otten, Iii

A system, for determining characteristics of a beam wavefront and reshaping such wavefront, including: apparatus for sampling the wavefront curvature and generating outputs; apparatus for reshaping the wavefront; and apparatus for receiving the outputs, proportioning the outputs to match the inputs need to drive controls for the reshaping apparatus, and sending the proportioned outputs to the reshaping apparatus. The reshaping apparatus is, preferably, a deformable mirror. The sampling apparatus includes a distorted grating. The method includes: positioning the sampling apparatus in the bean path; positioning a reshaping apparatus in the beam path; sampling the curvature of the wavefront and generating outputs representative of the curvature thereof; sending the generated outputs to the proportioning apparatus; proportioning the outputs to match the inputs needed to drive the controls of the reshaping apparatus; and sending the proportioned outputs to the reshaping apparatus to change the shape thereof.

Wavefront characterization and correction

Apparatus for determining whether cornea (vitro or in vivo) has been modified (surgically or otherwise). The method includes the steps of: passing a beam of collimated light through the cornea to produce a distorted wavefront; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The analysis of the distorted wavefront can be for the presence of higher order aberrations, or Gausian characteristics which are indicative of modifications. The method includes the steps of providing an optical system that has a pupil plane and an image plane at a detector; positioning the cornea in the pupil plane; passing a collimated beam of light through the cornea to produce at least two images in the image plane; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification.

Wavefront characterization of corneas

Determining relationships between one laser beam and an object onto which such beam is directed including: directing such beam onto the object; collecting radiation from the beam that is reflected back; spectrally discriminating the collected, reflected radiation from other collected radiation; generating an image of the collected beam radiation; and analyzing this image to determine the value of at least one parameter selected from: the diameter of the beam on the object; the position of the beam on the object; and beam quality on the object. The determined value(s) may be used to adjust parameter(s) of the beam. Additional steps include directing a second beam onto the object and collecting, spectrally discriminating, generating an image and analyzing it to determine the value of at least one parameter related to the second beam. The forgoing may also include utilizing the determined second value to adjust parameter(s) of the second beam.

Diagnostic methods and apparatus for directed energy applications

Optical instruments having, inter alia, optics to process wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation to produce an interferogram. The instruments include an optical path and optical elements positioned along this path for splitting and recombining the wavelengths which interfere with each other to produce a plurality of different fringes of different wavelengths. The optics include matched gratings which are positioned along the optical path outside of the interferometer optics to produce first and second sets of spectrally dispersed beams. The interferometer optics includes a beam splitter and first and second mirrors. In two embodiments the beam splitter has an internal surface including three zones. The instruments can all include a detector for detecting the interferogram and means for processing the detected interferogram to produce spectral information that is spatially distributed.

Beam splitters for, for instance, high efficiency spectral imagers

Apparatus for determining if a cornea (whether in vitro or in vivo) has been modified (either surgically or otherwise). The method includes the steps of: passing a beam of collimated light a (either coherent or incoherent) through the cornea to produce a distorted wavefront; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The analysis of the distorted wavefront can be for the presence of higher order aberrations, or Gausian characteristics which are indicative of modifications. More particularly, the method includes the steps of providing an optical system that has a pupil plane and an image plane at a detector; positioning the cornea in the pupil plane; passing a collimated beam of light through the cornea to produce at least two images in the image plane; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The apparatus includes: a source of collimated light: an optical system including a distorted grating and an imaging lens (which have a pupil plane, first and second virtual planes, and an image plane); structure for positioning the cornea in the pupil plane; and a computer. The structure for positioning the cornea (which is immersed in a suitable storage fluid) includes first and second plano/plano lenses. The first and second plano lens, which are substantially and perpendicular to and centered with respect to the axis, have less than &#x3bb;/10 total distortions.

Apparatus for determining if a cornea (whether in vitro or in vivo) has been modified (either surgically or otherwise). The method includes the steps of: passing a beam of collimated light a (either coherent or incoherent) through the cornea to produce a distorted wavefront; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The analysis of the distorted wavefront can be for the presence of higher order aberrations, or Gausian characteristics which are indicative of modifications. More particularly, the method includes the steps of providing an optical system that has a pupil plane and an image plane at a detector; positioning the cornea in the pupil plane; passing a collimated beam of light through the cornea to produce at least two images in the image plane; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The apparatus includes: a source of collimated light: an optical system including a distorted grating and an imaging lens (which have a pupil plane, first and second virtual planes, and an image plane); structure for positioning the cornea in the pupil plane; and a computer. The structure for positioning the cornea (which is immersed in a suitable storage fluid) includes first and second plano/plano lenses. The first and second plano lens, which are substantially and perpendicular to and centered with respect to the axis, have less than total distortions.

Apparatus for determining if a cornea (whether in vitro or in vivo) has been modified (either surgically or otherwise). The method includes the steps of: passing a beam of collimated light a (either coherent or incoherent) through the cornea to produce a distorted wavefront; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The analysis of the distorted wavefront can be for the presence of higher order aberrations, or Gausian characteristics which are indicative of modifications. More particularly, the method includes the steps of providing an optical system that has a pupil plane and an image plane at a detector; positioning the cornea in the pupil plane; passing a collimated beam of light through the cornea to produce at least two images in the image plane; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The apparatus includes: a source of collimated light: an optical system including a distorted grating and an imaging lens (which have a pupil plane, first and second virtual planes, and an image plane); structure for positioning the cornea in the pupil plane; and a computer. The structure for positioning the cornea (which is immersed in a suitable storage fluid) includes first and second plano/plano lenses. The first and second plano lens, which are substantially and perpendicular to and centered with respect to the axis, have less than &lgr;/10 total distortions.

Growing community of inventors

Malvern, Worcestershire, United Kingdom

Gavin R G Erry