Heidelberg Engineering Gmbh

Light Age, Inc.

Medizinisches Laserzentrum Luebeck Gmbh

Carl Baasel Lasertechnik Gmbh

Herbert Schwind Gmbh & Co. Kg

Medizinisches Laserzentrum Lubeck Gmbh

Medizinisches Laserzentrum L&uuml;beck Gmbh

Telemit Electronic Gmbh

Ralf Engelhardt

Peter Koch

Christian Scholz

Donald F Heller

Reginald Birngruber

Alfred Vogel

John C Walling

Björn Martensen

Stefan Kubasiak

Wilhelm Meyer

Gerit Droege

Scheu Manfred

Bjoern Martensen

Ralf Brinkmann

Gerit DRÖGE

A system for detecting position data of an element in the front region of an eye. A first system component continuously detects position changes of the vertex of the cornea of the eye. A second system component directs electromagnetic radiation at topographical structures of the cornea to be ascertained or modified. A control unit includes a processor and memory. Alignment of the first system component with respect to the alignment of the second system component is defined, and the second system component is continuously guided to the respective target position thereof, by the control unit based on the position changes detected by the first system component. Light sources, which illuminate the cornea, are symmetrically disposed around the main axis of the system so that a pattern of reflection points is created on the cornea. The processor determines the current position of the vertex as the center of the reflection points.

Method for aligning a system, and system for detecting position data of at least one element in the front region of an eye

A method and apparatus including an interferometer is provided for sequentially recording interferometric sectional images at different depths, in particular for analyzing an eye. By use of an interferometer, which includes an optical reference path and an optical sample path, a sample beam scans a measuring region of a sample, in particular of an eye, so as to generate a deep sectional image. The optical and geometric paths in a sample arm and/or reference arm of the interferometer can be switched quickly between two or more positions. The path length of the sample beam and/or of the reference beam is changed by way of a path length switching unit, deep sectional images are generated at least at two different depths of the sample, and the change of the path length in the switching unit takes place by deflection of the beam paths to different geometric paths.

Method and device for the sequential recording of interferometric deep sectional images at different depths, in particular for analysis of the eye

The device serves for changing the length of a running path of an electromagnetic wave. It comprises a wave guide which is wound onto a core. The core is formed in two parts, wherein the distance of the core parts to one another is changeable in order to extend the wave length in a defined manner.

Device for changing the length of the running path of an electromagnetic wave

The device serves the change of the length of the running path of an electromagnetic wave, and specifically of a light beam between the emitter and receiver. It comprises two oppositely lying reflection means between which the beam is reflected, as well as a means for changing the distance of these reflection means. The reflection means are arranged at an angle &bgr; to one another which lies between 0&deg; and 45&deg; so that the incident beam is thrown to and fro several times between the reflection means, until it is finally congruently thrown back.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for deriving the relative position of an eye by tracking a boundary of the eye such as the limbus (i.e., the interface between the white sclera and the colored iris). A technique for tracking the position of the eye of patient comprises directing light to an annular region of the eye between the sclera and the iris and receiving reflected light from that region. The intensity of the reflected light is then measured to determine a relative position of the eye. In some embodiments, the measured region is scanned around the boundary. In other embodiments, a light spot is scanned around a substantially annular trajectory radially outward from the pupil. The signals corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light are then processed and measured to determine the eye's position. A flap of tissue covering the boundary may be automatically detected so as to selectively measure the boundary away from the flap. The invention also provides for integrating the eye tracker into a laser eye surgery system.

Process and arrangement for examining a section of the eye

A method and apparatus for reducing unwanted pressure changes generated during treatment of a target material in a liquid-filled space with a laser. A pilot pulse is generated to produce a gas bubble in a region of the liquid-filled space before a processing pulse is directed through the region and onto the target material. An impulse spacing between the pilot pulse and the processing pulse is optimized by detecting an oscillation period of the gas bubble. The pilot pulse and processing pulse may be generated by the same or separate laser sources and directed toward the target material by the same or separate conductors, respectively.

Method and apparatus for treating material with a laser

A method of laser lithotripsy is disclosed that utilizes pulse stretched Q-switched solid state lasers in conjunction with relatively small diameter optical fibers to achieve effective breakup of calculi located within the body, such as kidney and gall stones.

Pulse stretched solid-state laser lithotripter

Method and apparatus for the machining of material by means of a laser

In a method and an apparatus for material processing with the aid of a laser the laser light is directed via a laser optical system onto the material and the light reemitted or scattered back by the material is conducted via the laser optical system onto a detector arrangement which is followed by an evaluating circuit for controlling the laser. The amplitude-versus-time profile of the light incident on the detector arrangement is evaluated and used to control the laser and/or an optical switch arranged in the output beam path of the laser.

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Lübeck, Germany

Ralf Engelhardt