Patient interface for an ophthalmic laser surgery system

The patient interface with diffusing and reflective structures addresses the issue of insufficient and uneven illumination in ophthalmic laser surgery systems, providing brighter and more uniform light to enhance imaging and alignment for precise laser treatment.

JP7776488B2Active Publication Date: 2025-11-26ALCON INC
View PDF 5 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023506516
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2020-08-26
Filing Date
2021-08-19
Publication Date
2025-11-26
Estimated Expiration
2041-08-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing patient interfaces for ophthalmic laser surgery systems alter light illumination at the surgical site, resulting in insufficient and uneven brightness, which affects the imaging quality and alignment of the eye for precise laser treatment.

Method used

The patient interface includes a conical wall with structures such as diffusing and reflective elements that direct light towards the surgical site, ensuring brighter and more uniform illumination, enhancing imaging and alignment capabilities.

Benefits of technology

The improved illumination enables better imaging and reliable feature identification for precise eye positioning during laser treatment, reducing unnecessary tissue damage and improving surgical accuracy.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007776488000001
    Figure 0007776488000001
  • Figure 0007776488000002
    Figure 0007776488000002
  • Figure 0007776488000003
    Figure 0007776488000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a patient interface for an ophthalmic laser system comprises an interface portion and a mounting portion. The interface portion comprises a contact portion, a conical wall, and one or more structures. The contact portion has an abutment surface configured to contact the cornea of ​​the eye. The conical wall is disposed outwardly of the contact portion and defines an interior of the cone. The conical wall has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the interior of the cone. The conical wall has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being coupled to the contact portion. The one or more structures direct light from the conical wall toward the interior of the cone. The mounting portion mounts the interface portion to the cornea of ​​the eye.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to ophthalmic laser surgery systems, and more particularly to patient interfaces for ophthalmic laser surgery systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Certain ophthalmic laser surgery systems generate a pulsed laser beam to perform eye surgery. In some procedures, the laser beam causes photodisruption at specific locations on the eye according to a treatment pattern. The eye must be kept still throughout the procedure so that the laser beam can cause photodisruption that precisely matches the pattern.

[0003] A patient interface (PI) is commonly used to hold the eye in place during surgery. The patient interface is usually attached to the eye by utilizing a vacuum that holds the eye in place during surgery to allow the laser beam to act on the surgical site. In some systems, a light source illuminates the surgical site through the patient interface. The illumination can improve imaging of the surgical site by a camera. The illumination can also allow identification of features used to align the eye for the treatment pattern. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In certain embodiments, a patient interface for an ophthalmic laser system comprises an interface portion and a mounting portion. The interface portion comprises a contact portion, a conical wall, and one or more structures. The contact portion has an abutment surface configured to contact the cornea of ​​the eye. The conical wall is disposed outwardly of the contact portion and defines an interior of the cone. The conical wall has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the interior of the cone. The conical wall has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being coupled to the contact portion. The one or more structures direct light from the conical wall toward the interior of the cone. The mounting portion mounts the interface portion to the cornea of ​​the eye.

[0005] Embodiments may include none, one, some, or all of the following features.

[0006] *The conical wall has a frustoconical or cylindrical shape.

[0007] *The one or more structures include a step feature on the inner surface of the conical wall.

[0008] *The one or more structures include a step feature formed by at least two materials in a cone-shaped wall, the materials having different refractive indices.

[0009] The one or more structures include a diffusing structure disposed on the inner surface of the cone-shaped wall. The diffusing structure diffuses light traveling from the cone-shaped wall toward the interior of the cone.

[0010] The one or more structures include a reflective structure disposed on the cone-shaped wall. The reflective structure reflects light toward the interior of the cone. The reflective structure may be disposed on the inner and / or outer surface of the cone-shaped wall.

[0011] *The one or more structures direct light downward within the conical wall. The one or more structures may include a light guide that directs light downward within the conical wall.

[0012] *The one or more structures direct light downward within the conical wall. The one or more structures may include a reflective structure that directs light downward within the conical wall. The reflective structure may include an inner reflective structure and an outer reflective structure. The inner reflective structure is disposed on the inner surface of the conical wall and reflects light toward the outer reflective structure. The outer reflective structure is disposed on the outer surface of the conical wall and reflects light toward the inner reflective structure and through portions of the inner surface that do not have the inner reflective structure. The one or more structures may further include a diffusing structure disposed on portions of the inner surface that do not have the inner reflective structure, and the diffusing structure diffuses light traveling from the conical wall toward the inside of the cone.

[0013] The one or more structures include a structure disposed on a contact portion of the interface portion. The structure directs light toward the surgical site portion of the contact portion. The one or more structures may further include a reflective structure disposed adjacent to the conical wall of the abutment surface.

[0014] *The one or more structures include a refractive structure that refracts light toward the surgical site portion of the contact portion.

[0015] *The one or more structures include scattering structures that scatter light toward the surgical site portion of the contact portion.

[0016] In certain embodiments, a patient interface for an ophthalmic laser system comprises an interface portion and an attachment portion. The interface portion comprises a contact portion, a conical wall, and one or more structures. The contact portion has an abutment surface configured to contact the cornea of ​​the eye. The conical wall is disposed outward from the contact portion and defines an interior of the cone. The conical wall has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the interior of the cone. The conical wall has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being coupled to the contact portion. The one or more structures include a light guide that directs light from the upper portion to the lower portion within the conical wall. The attachment portion attaches the interface portion to the cornea of ​​the eye.

[0017] Embodiments may include none, one, some, or all of the following features.

[0018] *The one or more structures further include a scattering structure that scatters light toward the surgical site portion of the contact portion.

[0019] *The one or more structures further include scattering structures that scatter light towards the eye.

[0020] *The one or more structures further include a reflective structure that reflects light toward the surgical site portion of the contact portion.

[0021] *The light guide is curved to direct the light towards the surgical site area of ​​contact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an ophthalmic surgical system with a patient interface that facilitates illumination of a surgical site, according to certain embodiments. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a patient interface in accordance with certain embodiments. [Figure 3A-3C] 3A-3C show examples of diffusing and reflective structures for certain embodiments of the patient interface. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of diffusing and reflective structures for a particular embodiment of a patient interface. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of a diffusing structure located on the contact portion of a particular embodiment of a patient interface. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an example of a light guide for a particular embodiment of a patient interface. [Figure 7A-7C] 7A-7C show other examples of light guides for certain embodiments of patient interfaces. [Figure 8A-8B] 8A-8B are graphs comparing luminance distribution at the patient interface with and without light distributing structures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023]

[0013] Referring now to the description and drawings, exemplary embodiments of the disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods are shown in detail. The description and drawings are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings and disclosed in the description. While the drawings represent possible embodiments, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features may be simplified, exaggerated, omitted, or partially separated to better illustrate the embodiments.

[0024] In certain ophthalmic laser surgery systems, a light source illuminates the surgical site through a patient interface. A problem that can arise is that the patient interface alters the light, causing the resulting illumination at the surgical site to be insufficiently bright and / or uneven. Certain embodiments of the patient interface described herein address this problem.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an ophthalmic surgical system 10 including a patient interface 20 that facilitates illumination of a surgical site, according to certain embodiments. In this embodiment, the patient interface 20 includes an interface portion having a cone-shaped wall and a contact portion. The cone-shaped wall has a shape that defines the interior of a cone. The patient interface 20 also includes one or more structures that direct light from the cone-shaped wall toward the interior of the cone and / or a central region of the contact portion to illuminate the surgical site portion of the interface 20 (e.g., the portion interface 20 that contacts the surgical site of the eye), which may result in brighter, more uniform illumination at the surgical site. The improved illumination may enable a camera to better image the surgical site and more reliably and / or effectively identify features for properly positioning the eye for laser treatment.

[0026] In the illustrated example, system 10 includes a laser device 15, a patient interface 20, a camera 38, and a control computer 30, coupled as shown. Computer 30 includes logic 31, a memory 32 (storing a computer program 34), and a display 36, coupled as shown. Laser device 15 includes controllable components such as a laser source 12, a scanner 16, one or more optical elements 17, a focusing objective 18, and a light source 39, coupled as shown. Patient interface 20 is coupled as shown.

[0027] Turning to the components of the system 10, the laser source 12 generates a laser beam with an ultrashort pulse. An ultrashort pulse refers to a light pulse having a duration of less than a nanosecond, such as on the order of picoseconds, femtoseconds, or attoseconds. The laser beam may have any suitable wavelength, such as a wavelength in the range of 300-1500 nanometers (nm) (e.g., wavelengths in the ranges of 300-650, 650-1050, 1050-1250, and / or 1250-1500 nm), such as 340-350 nm (e.g., 347 nm ± 1 nm). The focal point of the laser beam can cause laser-induced optical breakdown (LIOB) in tissue (e.g., the cornea) to cause photodisruption in the tissue. The laser beam can be precisely focused to cause precise photodisruption, thereby reducing or avoiding unnecessary damage to other tissue.

[0028] The scanner 16 focuses the laser beam in the lateral and longitudinal directions. The longitudinal direction refers to the direction of propagation of the laser beam, also known as the z-direction. The lateral direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the beam, also known as the xy-direction. In certain embodiments, the abutment surface of the patient interface 20 is chosen as the xy-plane at z=0.

[0029] Scanner 16 may direct the laser beam laterally in any suitable manner. For example, scanner 16 may include a pair of galvanometrically driven scanner mirrors that can be tilted about mutually perpendicular axes. As another example, scanner 16 may include an electro-optic crystal that can electro-optically steer the laser beam. Scanner 16 may direct the laser beam longitudinally in any suitable manner. For example, scanner 16 may include a vertically adjustable lens, a lens with variable optical power, or a deformable mirror that can control the z-position of the beam focus. The components of scanner 16 may be arranged along the beam path in any suitable manner, for example, in the same or different modular units.

[0030] One or more optical elements 17 direct the laser beam toward a focusing objective 18. The optical element 17 may act on the laser beam (e.g., transmit, reflect, refract, diffract, collimate, condition, shape, focus, modulate, and / or otherwise act on the laser beam). Examples of optical elements include lenses, prisms, mirrors, diffractive optical elements (DOEs), holographic optical elements (HOEs), and spatial light modulators (SLMs). In this example, the optical element 17 is a mirror. The focusing objective 18 focuses the laser beam through the patient interface 20 toward a point on the eye 22. In this example, the focusing objective 18 is an objective lens, for example, an f-theta objective.

[0031] The camera 38 records images of the movement of the eye 22. Examples of the camera 38 include a video, optical coherence tomography (OCT), or eye-tracking camera. The camera 38 delivers image data representing the recorded image of the eye 22 to the computer 30. The computer 30 may perform image processing on the image data to identify ocular features for eye alignment.

[0032] The light sources 39 (39a, 39b) provide light to illuminate the surgical site. The light sources 39 may have any suitable configuration for directing light toward the surgical site. In certain embodiments, the light source 39 includes one or more lighting elements that provide illumination directed toward the field of view. The one or more lighting elements may partially or completely surround or be positioned above the field of view to illuminate the field of view. In the illustrated example, the light source 39 includes embodiments 39a and 39b, and the system 10 may include one, both, or neither of the embodiments. The light source 39a has an annular shape with a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the top of the patient interface 20. The light source 39b has an annular shape with a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the portion of the patient interface 20 surrounded by the light source 39b.

[0033] The patient interface 20 interfaces with the cornea of ​​the eye 22 to couple the eye 22 to the laser device 15. The patient interface 20 serves to hold the eye 22 in place so that the laser beam can treat the eye 22. The patient interface 20 is described in more detail with reference to FIG.

[0034] Computer 30 controls the controllable components (e.g., laser source 12, scanner 16, optical element 17, and / or focusing objective 18) according to computer program 34. Computer program 34 includes computer code that instructs the controllable components to focus a laser beam on an area of ​​the cornea and photodisrupt at least a portion of that area.

[0035] 2 shows an example of a patient interface 20. In certain embodiments, the patient interface 20 comprises a mounting portion 21 and an interface portion 26. The mounting portion 21 attaches the patient interface 20 to the eye 22 in any suitable manner, for example, via suction or mechanical attachment. The interface portion 26 contacts the cornea of ​​the eye 22, typically above the surgical site. The mounting portion 21 and the interface portion 26 may be formed as a single unit or as two or more separate pieces that fit together.

[0036] In this example, the patient interface 20 includes an attachment portion 21 that includes a suction ring 24 and an interface portion 26 coupled as shown. The suction ring 24 has a generally annular shape with a ring axis and an opening 44. The suction ring 24 includes one or more exhaust channels 40 (40a, 40b) that are coupled to a suction source 42. The suction source 42 provides suction. The exhaust channels 40 provide suction for coupling the patient interface 20 to the eye 22. In this example, suction through exhaust channel 40a attaches the suction ring 24 to the eye 22 and / or suction through exhaust channel 40b secures the interface portion 26 to the suction ring 24.

[0037] The interface portion 26 has a generally frustoconical or cylindrical shape having a conical axis and a conical wall 46 that defines a conical interior 47. The interface portion 26 is shaped to fit at least partially within the opening 44. The conical wall 46 has an inner surface 70 and an outer surface 72, with the inner surface 70 defining the conical interior 47. The conical wall 46 has an upper portion 74 and a lower portion 76, with the lower portion 76 coupled to the contact portion 48. The contact portion 48 has an abutment surface 49 that contacts the cornea of ​​the eye 22. The contact portion 48 may be translucent or transparent to the laser beam and has the abutment surface 49 that contacts the cornea. The abutment surface 49 is generally positioned facing outward from the surgical site. In certain embodiments, the abutment surface 49 is planar and forms a planar area on the cornea that may define the xy plane. In other embodiments, the abutment surface 49 need not be planar and may be, for example, convex or concave.

[0038] In certain embodiments, the patient interface 20 includes one or more structures that direct light from the conical wall 46 toward the interior 47 of the cone and / or the central portion of the contact portion 48 to illuminate the surgical site portion of the interface 20 (e.g., the portion of the interface 20 that contacts the surgical site on an eye). The structures may have any suitable configuration. For example, the structures may be diffusing structures disposed on the inner surface 70 of the conical wall 46. The diffusing structures diffuse light traveling from the conical wall 46 toward the interior 47 of the cone. As another example, the structures may be reflective structures disposed on the conical wall 46. The reflective structures reflect light toward the interior 47 of the cone. As another example, the structures may direct light toward the lower portion 76 within the conical wall 46. As another example, the structures may be disposed on the contact portion 48 of the interface portion 26. The structures direct light toward the center of the contact portion 48. Example structures are described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3-6.

[0039] 3A-3C show examples of diffusing structures 50 (50a-50c), 52 and reflective structures 54 of certain embodiments of the patient interface 20. The diffusing structures may be structures in a material that diffuse light passing through the material, for example, by refracting and / or scattering the light. In certain embodiments, the diffusing structures may be structures in the surface of the material, such as a roughened surface. The roughened surface may be created in any suitable manner. For example, the surface may be molded from a rough mold. As another example, a smooth surface may be roughened by rubbing it with a rough surface (e.g., sandpaper) or etching it with a laser beam.

[0040] In other embodiments, the diffusing structures may be structures within a material that diffuse light passing through the material. For example, the diffusing structures may be photolytic structures created by a femtosecond laser beam. As another example, the diffusing structures may be refractive index changes in a material, which may be formed from materials with different refractive indices. In yet other embodiments, the diffusing structures may be step features, such as a grating on the inner surface 70 of the conical wall 46. The step features may have one, two, or more steps, where the steps redirect light. In yet other embodiments, the diffusing structures may be step features, such as a grating formed within the conical wall 46 from materials with different refractive indices.

[0041] 3A illustrates a patient interface 20 with a diffusing structure including a diffusing panel 50 and a diffusing structure 52a. The diffusing panel 50 includes a transparent or translucent material (e.g., plastic) that diffuses light from the light source 39. The diffusing structure 52a is disposed on the inner surface 70 of the conical wall 46 and diffuses light traveling from the conical wall 46 toward the interior 47 of the cone.

[0042] In this example, the patient interface 20 also includes a reflective structure 54. Examples of the reflective structure 54 include a reflective surface 54, such as a mirror. In the example shown, the reflective surface 54 includes an outer reflective structure 82 disposed on the outer surface 72 of the conical wall 46. The outer reflective structure 82 reflects light toward the inner surface 70. In this example, some of the light passes through the inner surface 70, some of the light is reflected back toward the outer reflective structure 82, and / or some of the light passes through a lower portion 76 of the patient interface 20. Light passing through the lower portion 76 may illuminate the docking of the patient interface 20 to the eye 22, i.e., the lowering of the patient interface 20 toward and attachment of the patient interface 20 to the eye 22.

[0043] 3B illustrates a diffusing structure 52b that is a step feature (e.g., a grating) on ​​the inner surface 70 of the conical wall 46. The diffusing structure 52b has a discontinuous light emission area. In this example, the emission area is a substantially vertical region 53 of the structure 52b. In this example, "vertical" refers to being parallel to the z-axis when the patient interface 20 is coupled to the laser device 15.

[0044] 3C illustrates a diffusing structure 52c that is a step feature (e.g., a grating) formed in a conical wall 46 with materials 55 (55a, 55b) of different refractive index. In this example, material 55a has a different refractive index than material 55b. As light passes through the conical wall 46, the materials refract the light toward the interior 47 of the cone.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the diffusing structure 52 and the reflective structure 54 of a particular embodiment of the patient interface 20. In this example, the patient interface 20 includes an optical element 60, such as a lens. In certain embodiments, the lens may be a focusing lens for the therapeutic laser beam. The diffusing structure 52 and the reflective structure 54 may be positioned in any suitable location and in any suitable configuration on the patient interface 20. In the example shown, the diffusing structure 52 is positioned on the inner surface 70 between the optical element 60 and the contact portion 48. The diffusing structure 52 diffuses light traveling toward the interior 47 of the cone. The reflective structures 54 are positioned on the outer surface 72 and the inner surface 70, proximate the optical element 60 and toward the top of the patient interface 20. The reflective structure 54 positioned on the outer surface 72 directs light toward the inner surface 70, and the reflective structure 54 positioned on the inner surface 70 directs light toward the reflective structure 54 positioned on the outer surface 72.

[0046] 5 shows an example of a diffusing structure 62 disposed on the contact portion 48 of a particular embodiment of the patient interface 20. The diffusing structure 62 diffuses light traveling toward the center of the contact portion 48. In a particular embodiment, the contact portion 48 also includes a reflective structure 54 disposed on the abutment surface 49 adjacent the conical wall 47. The reflective structure 54 reflects light toward the diffusing structure 62.

[0047] FIG. 6 shows an example of a light guide 66 (66a) of a specific embodiment of the patient interface 20. The light guide 66a guides light from an upper portion 74 to a lower portion 76 within the conical wall 46 of the patient interface 20. In this example, the patient interface 20 includes an optical element 64 (e.g., a lens) that guides light toward the conical wall 46. The light guide 66a may include a reflective structure 54 including an inner reflective structure 80 and an outer reflective structure 82 configured to guide light from the upper portion 74 to the lower portion 76. The inner reflective structure 80 is disposed on the inner surface 70 of the conical wall 46 and reflects light toward the outer reflective structure 82. The outer reflective structure 82 is disposed on the outer surface 72 of the conical wall 46. Some light passes through a portion 84 of the inner surface 70 that does not have the inner reflective structure 80 toward the center of the contact portion 48.

[0048] In this example, the patient interface 20 also includes diffusing structures, such as scattering structures 63, which scatter light in the z-direction, i.e., toward the eye 22. This illumination may facilitate docking of the patient interface 20 to the eye 22, i.e., lowering of the patient interface 20 toward and attachment of the patient interface 20 to the eye 22.

[0049] 7A-7C show examples of light guides 66 (66b) of certain embodiments of the patient interface 20. FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a light guide 66b that guides light from an upper portion 74 to a lower portion 76 within the conical wall 46 of the patient interface 20. In this example, the patient interface 20 includes an optical element 64 (e.g., a lens) that guides light toward the light guide 66b. The light guide 66b guides light from the upper portion 74 to the lower portion 76. In certain examples, when the light guide 66b reaches the lower portion 76, the light guide 66b may guide the light toward the interior 47 of the cone and / or toward the center of the contact portion 48. Examples of light guides 66b include optical fibers, such as step-index fibers or gradient-index fibers. In the example of FIG. 7A, the patient interface 20 also includes a scattering structure 63 similar to that of FIG. 6.

[0050] Figure 7B illustrates reflective structures 54 in place of scattering structures 63 of Figure 7A. Reflective structures 54 reflect light towards the interior of the cone 47 and / or towards the center of contact portion 48.

[0051] FIG. 7C illustrates a light guide 66b that is shaped (eg, curved) to direct light toward the interior 47 of the cone and / or toward the center of the contact portion 48.

[0052] 8A and 8B are graphs comparing the luminance distribution of a patient interface without and with light-distributing structures, where the y-axis represents the intensity of illumination at the contact portion 48 of the patient interface 20 and the x-axis represents the position along the diameter of the contact portion 48.

[0053] Figure 8A illustrates the luminance distribution of a patient interface that does not have structures to direct light from the cone wall 46 towards the interior of the cone 47. Most of the light remains at the cone wall 46, resulting in reduced and uneven illumination at the surgical site.

[0054] FIG. 8B illustrates the luminance distribution of a patient interface 20 having structures that direct light from the cone-shaped wall 46 toward the interior 47 of the cone. Light is directed away from the cone-shaped wall to more evenly illuminate the surgical site. In certain embodiments, structures for a particular interface design may be arranged to provide a generally uniform (i.e., even) luminance distribution across the contact portion 48. In other embodiments, structures for a particular interface design may be arranged to provide more luminance in a particular region of the contact portion 48. For example, more luminance may be desired in the surgical site portion of the contact portion 48, e.g., the portion that contacts the surgical site of the eye. This portion may be located approximately in the center of the contact portion 48, with a radius of less than 25%, 25%-50%, 50%-75%, and / or 75%-95% of the radius of the contact portion 48.

[0055] The increased and / or more uniform brightness in the area of ​​the eye contacting the abutment surface 49 may result in more accurate and / or precise imaging by the camera 38. The increased and / or more uniform brightness may also result in more efficient and / or reliable identification of features (e.g., blood vessels, iris structures, pupil margin, or rim) that may be used to align the eye.

[0056] Components (such as computer 30) of the systems and devices disclosed herein may include interfaces, logic, and / or memory, any of which may include computer hardware and / or software. An interface can receive input to and / or send output from a component and is typically used to exchange information between software, hardware, peripherals, a user, combinations thereof, and the like. A user interface (e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI)) is one type of interface that may be utilized by a user to interact with a computer. Examples of user interfaces include a display, a touchscreen, a keyboard, a mouse, a gesture sensor, a microphone, and a speaker.

[0057] Logic can perform the operations of a component. Logic can include one or more electronic devices that process data, e.g., execute instructions to generate output from input. Examples of such electronic devices include computers, processors, microprocessors (e.g., central processing units (CPUs)), and computer chips. Logic can include computer software that encodes instructions that can be executed by the electronic device to perform operations. Examples of computer software include computer programs, applications, and operating systems.

[0058] A memory can store information and may include a tangible, computer-readable, and / or computer-executable storage medium. Examples of memory include computer memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., hard disks), removable storage media (e.g., compact discs (CDs) or digital video or versatile discs (DVDs)), databases, network storage (e.g., servers), and / or other computer-readable media. Certain embodiments may be directed to memory encoded with computer software.

[0059] While the present disclosure has been described with respect to particular embodiments, modifications of the embodiments (e.g., changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, and / or other modifications) will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, modifications may be made to the systems and devices disclosed herein. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, components of the systems and devices may be integrated or separated, and operations of the systems and devices may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. As another example, modifications may be made to the methods disclosed herein. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the methods may include more, fewer, or other steps, and the steps may be performed in any suitable order.

[0060] To assist the Patent Office and readers in interpreting the claims herein, applicants note that unless the words "means for" or "step for" are expressly used in a particular claim, no claim or claim element is intended to be subject to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). The use of other terms in the claims (e.g., "mechanism," "module," "device," "unit," "component," "element," "member," "apparatus," "machine," "system," "processor," or "controller") is understood by applicants to refer to structures known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art and is not intended to be subject to 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

1. An interface portion, a contact portion having an abutment surface configured to contact the cornea of ​​the eye; a conical wall disposed outwardly of the contact portion, the conical wall defining an interior of a cone, the conical wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the interior of the cone, the conical wall having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being coupled to the contact portion; one or more structures configured to direct light from the conical wall towards the interior of the cone; an interface portion comprising: an attachment portion configured to attach the interface portion to the cornea of ​​the eye; Equipped with the one or more structures include a step feature on the interior surface of the conical wall; Patient interface for ophthalmic laser systems.

2. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the one or more structures include a step feature formed by at least two materials of the conical wall, the materials having different refractive indices.

3. 10. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the one or more structures include a diffusing structure disposed on the inner surface of the conical wall, the diffusing structure configured to diffuse light traveling from the conical wall towards an interior of the cone.

4. 10. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the one or more structures include a reflective structure disposed on a wall of the cone, the reflective structure configured to reflect light toward an interior of the cone.

5. The patient interface of claim 4 , wherein the reflective structure is disposed on the inner surface of the conical wall.

6. The patient interface of claim 4 , wherein the reflective structure is disposed on the outer surface of the conical wall.

7. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the one or more structures are configured to direct light within the conical wall towards the lower portion.

8. The patient interface of claim 7 , wherein the one or more structures include a light guide configured to direct light within the conical wall towards the lower portion.

9. the one or more structures include a plurality of reflective structures configured to direct light within the conical wall toward the lower portion, the plurality of reflective structures including an inner reflective structure and an outer reflective structure; the inner reflective structure is disposed on the inner surface of the conical wall, the inner reflective structure being configured to reflect light toward the outer reflective structure; The outer reflective structure is disposed on the outer surface of the conical wall, the outer reflective structure comprising: towards the inner reflective structure; and Through a portion of the inner surface that does not have the inner reflective structure 8. The patient interface of claim 7, configured to reflect light.

10. 10. The patient interface of claim 9, wherein the one or more structures further include a diffusing structure disposed on the portion of the inner surface not having the internal reflective structure, the diffusing structure configured to diffuse light traveling from the conical wall towards an interior of the cone.

11. 10. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the one or more structures include a structure disposed on the contact portion of the interface portion, the structure configured to direct light toward a surgical site portion of the contact portion.

12. The patient interface of claim 11 , wherein the one or more structures further include a reflective structure disposed on a portion of the abutment surface adjacent the conical wall.

13. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the one or more structures include a refractive structure configured to refract light toward a surgical site portion of the contact portion.

14. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the one or more structures include a scattering structure configured to scatter light toward a surgical site portion of the contact portion.

15. An interface portion, a contact portion having an abutment surface configured to contact the cornea of ​​the eye; a conical wall disposed outwardly of the contact portion, the conical wall defining an interior of a cone, the conical wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the interior of the cone, the conical wall having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being coupled to the contact portion; one or more structures including a light guide configured to guide light from the upper portion toward the lower portion within the conical wall; an interface portion comprising: an attachment portion configured to attach the interface portion to the cornea of ​​the eye; Equipped with the one or more structures include a step feature on the interior surface of the conical wall; Patient interface for ophthalmic laser systems.

16. The patient interface of claim 15 , wherein the one or more structures further comprise a scattering structure configured to scatter light toward a surgical site portion of the contact portion.

17. 16. The patient interface of claim 15, wherein the one or more structures further comprise a scattering structure configured to scatter light toward the eye.

18. The patient interface of claim 15 , wherein the one or more structures further comprise a reflective structure configured to reflect light toward a surgical site portion of the contact portion.

19. The patient interface of claim 15 , wherein the light guide is curved to direct light toward a surgical site portion of the contact portion.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Adapters to connect laser treatment instruments to objects

    JP2007510478A

  • System, interface device, use of interface device, and control method using control device

    JP2014531294A

  • Optical device for intraocular observation

    US20040196431A1

  • Apparatus for Cutting a Tissue Section of an Eye by Laser Radiation

    US20110009851A1

  • Patient interface device for laser eye surgery having light guiding structure for illuminating eye

    US20170281407A1