Multiple spot photomedical treatment using a laser indirect ophthalmoscope
A laser indirect ophthalmoscope (LIO) apparatus for photomedical treatment and/or diagnosis is presented. The LIO apparatus allows multiple spot ophthalmic surgery to be performed in a wider range of patient positions and less intrusively than currently available methods. The LIO apparatus utilizes a separate or integral beam multiplier that generates one or more optical beams via spatial and/or temporal separation, and an optical system that conditions and directs the one or more optical beams to a target to form a pattern. The LIO apparatus includes a headset, and is therefore wearable by the user (e.g., a physician).
1 . An apparatus for photomedical treatment or diagnosis of a target tissue, the apparatus comprising:
a light source for generating light;
a headset designed to be Worn by a user, wherein the headset includes an input for receiving the light and an output for projecting the light on a target tissue;
a beam multiplier positioned for receiving the light and for generating one or more optical beams by spatial and/or temporal separation of the light for projection thereof via the output on the target tissue in the form of a pattern.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier is supported by the headset.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the beam multiplier is positioned for receiving the light from the input.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pattern comprises one or more discrete spots on the target tissue.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein each of the discrete spots is a straight or curved line.
6 . The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a zooming lens located between the input and the beam multiplier for adjusting a size of the first optical beam.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a zooming lens located after the beam multiplier for adjusting a size of the one or more second optical beams.
8 . The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a collimating lens located between the input and the beam multiplier.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises a beam scanner for refracting or reflecting the light, the beam scanner generating the optical beams by temporal separation of the light.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises:
a first scanner for deflecting the light in a first direction; and
a second scanner for deflecting the light in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises a moving lens that is positioned to refract the light at a different angle depending on the location of the moving lens that receives the light.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the moving lens spins about an off-center axis.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises a rotating prism that is positioned to refract the light at different angles depending on an orientation of the prism.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier generates the optical beams by simultaneously dividing the light into the optical beams.
15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises a transmissive diffraction element for converting the light into the optical beams.
16 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises a reflective diffraction element for converting the light into the optical beams.
17 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises a dispersion compensating element.
18 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises a plurality of beam splitters.
19 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier is an adaptive optic.
20 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises an anamorphic correction element.
21 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the anamorphic correction element is an adaptive optic or a cylindrical lens.
22 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises:
a plurality of optical fibers.
23 . The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the beam multiplier further comprises:
a scanning element for sequentially delivering the light to one or more of the plurality of optical fibers.
24 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises:
a first optical fiber;
a plurality of optical fibers; and
a fiber splitter for receiving the light from the first optical fiber and directing the light to the plurality of optical fibers.
25 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises:
a first optical fiber;
a plurality of optical fibers; and
a fiber switch for receiving the light from the first optical fiber and sequentially directing the light to the plurality of optical fibers.
26 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller for controlling the light source.
27 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the beam multiplier is positioned for generating the optical beams by temporal separation such that the second beams are sequential pulses.
28 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the sequential pulses having durations no longer than 50 ms.
29 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the beam multiplier comprises an adjustable aperture for creating the optical beams having a shape that is different from that of the light.
30 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second light source for generating an aiming beam that is combined with the light.
31 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the fiber multiplier includes means for adjusting a spacing of the fibers.
32 . A method of treating target tissue, comprising:
generating light;
conveying the light to a head mountable LIO apparatus having an input for receiving the light and an output;
converting the light to one or more optical beams in the form of a pattern using a beam multiplier that spatially and/or temporally separates the light; and
projecting the pattern of the one or more optical beams to target tissue.
33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the converting of the light is performed before the conveying of the light.
34 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the converting of the light is performed after the conveying of the light.
35 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the converting comprises:
scanning the light to create the pattern.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the pattern comprises one or more discrete spots on the target.
37 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the converting comprises:
splitting the light into the optical beams for simultaneous impingement of the optical beams on the target tissue.