SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE FOCAL POINT LOCATIONS OF A LASER BEAM

1 . A device for establishing precise locations for a focal point of a laser beam within a predetermined scanning range which comprises:

a laser unit for generating the laser beam;

a lens for focusing the laser beam to the focal point;

an arrestor selectively mounted on the laser unit for interacting with the lens to establish a calibration reference point for the focal point scanning range;

a computer using an algorithm for defining a path for movement of the focal point in an x-y-z space within the predetermined scanning range; and

an actuator for moving the lens from a start point in response to instructions from the computer, and to move the focal point of the laser beam in a z-direction along the defined path in the scanning range.

2 . A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the computer determines whether an interaction between the lens and the arrestor is necessary after receiving a user input indicating a particular type of ophthalmic procedure to be performed.

3 . A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a patient interface for establishing an interaction between the laser unit and an eye of a patient, wherein the patient interface is selected to maintain the focal point within the tolerance.

4 . A device as recited in claim 3 wherein the patient interface is selected from a group comprising an applanation lens, a concave lens, and a water-filled lens.

5 . A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the lens is a proximal lens and the device further comprises:

a distal lens positioned between the proximal lens and an eye of a patient; and

a second actuator for moving the distal lens, in concert with the proximal lens, in response to instructions from the computer to maintain the focal point of the laser beam within the scanning range.

6 . A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising an optical imaging device to produce an image of the x-y-z space, wherein the image is inputted into an algorithm to establish a reference datum for movement of the focal point on the defined path in the x-y-z space, and wherein the reference datum maintains establishment of precise locations for the focal point within the tolerance.

7 . A device as recited in claim 6 wherein the optical imaging device is selected from a group comprising an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanner and a Hartmann-Shack sensor, a confocal detector, a Scheimpflug imager, a two-photon imager, a laser range finding imager and a non-optical imager.

8 . A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a rail mounted on the laser unit, wherein the lens is mounted on the rail and the rail is oriented substantially parallel to the laser beam.

9 . A device as recited in claim 8 wherein the rail is formed with a plurality of incremental reference lines for indicating a distance “L” from the start position to the lens, and wherein the device further comprises a sensor mounted on the laser unit, wherein the sensor determines a position of the lens on the rail by interacting with the incremental reference lines of the rail.

10 . A system for maintaining precise focal point placements during an ophthalmic surgical procedure which comprises:

an imaging unit for creating an image of a selected volume of tissue within an eye of a patient;

a laser unit for generating a laser beam;

a focusing element included in the laser unit for focusing the laser beam to a focal point in the volume of tissue to perform an ophthalmic surgical procedure in accordance with a particular protocol, wherein the protocol requires maintaining the laser beam focal point within a predetermined tolerance; and

a computer for moving the focal point within a predetermined scanning range and along a defined path through the volume of tissue, while maintaining the focal point within the predetermined tolerance.

11 . A system as recited in claim 10 wherein the focusing element is moveable from a start point established to locate the focal point in the predetermined scanning range, and wherein deviations of the focal point from the defined path remain within the predetermined tolerance.

12 . A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the image is entered into an algorithm to create a reference datum for movement of the focal point along the defined path and wherein the system further comprises a patient interface device for establishing an interaction between the laser unit and an eye of a patient, wherein deviations of the focal point from the defined path caused by the interface device remain within the predetermined tolerance.

13 . A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the sum of the deviation caused by the defined path, the deviation caused by the algorithm, and the deviation caused by the interface device is less than the predetermined tolerance.

14 . A system as recited in claim 10 wherein the focusing element is a proximal focusing element, and the system further comprises a distal focusing element positioned between the proximal focusing element and the eye.

15 . A system as recited in claim 10 wherein the imaging unit is selected from a group comprising a Hartmann-Shack sensor, an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanner, a topographic imaging unit, a Scheimpflug imaging unit, a confocal imaging unit, a two-photon imaging unit, a laser range finding imaging unit, and a non-optical imaging unit.

16 . A method for establishing precise locations for a focal point of a laser beam in a predetermined scanning range, wherein the focal point remains within a predetermined tolerance, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a laser unit to generate a laser beam;

positioning a lens for focusing the laser beam to the focal point;

defining a path for movement of the focal point in an x-y-z space within the predetermined scanning range, wherein the path is defined by a computer;

selectively mounting an arrestor on the laser unit to interact with the lens to establish a start point for the scanning range; and

using an actuator to move the lens in response to instructions from the computer, to move the focal point of the laser beam along the defined path in the predetermined scanning range to maintain the focal point within the tolerance.

17 . A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

creating an image of the eye of a patient using an optical imaging device; and

entering the image of the eye into an algorithm to establish a reference datum for movement of the focal point.

18 . A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising the step of facilitating the interaction of the laser unit with an eye of a patient with a patient interface device, wherein the patient interface device is selected from a group comprising an applanation lens, a concave lens, and a water-filled lens.

19 . A method as recited in claim 18 wherein movement of the lens moves the focal point on the path with a minimal deviation of the focal point within the tolerance, and wherein the algorithm introduces a minimal deviation of the focal point within the tolerance, and wherein the patient interface introduces a minimal deviation of the focal point within the tolerance, and wherein the sum of the deviations caused by the path, the algorithm, and the interface device is less than the tolerance.

20 . A method as recited in claim 16 wherein the lens is a proximal lens and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

providing a distal lens, wherein the distal lens is positioned between the proximal lens and an eye of a patient; and

moving the distal lens in concert with the proximal lens to establish the focal point of the laser beam within the specified scanning range.