Richard L Hofer

US Patent:

6679878, Jan 20, 2004

Filed:

Aug 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/370457

Inventors:

Richard A. Hofer - Santa Cruz CA

Assignee:

Visx, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61F 9007

US Classification:

606 12, 606 5, 606 10, 606 13

Abstract:

Improved systems, devices, and methods are provided for verifying the scanning motion or adjustment of a laser beam. The system can advantageously be used in laser eye surgery where accurate control of the laser beam is crucial for patient safety and successful vision correction. In one embodiment, a laser system is provided for sculpting a portion of the eye. The system includes a laser for generating a laser beam suitable for ablation of a portion of the eye. A laser beam adjustment mechanism is optically coupled to the laser beam from the laser. The adjustment mechanism scans or adjusts the laser beam in accordance with a predetermined ablation pattern of the laser beam on the eye. An energy motion sensor optically coupled to the laser beam downstream from the adjustment mechanism is provided to verify adjustment of the laser beam in accordance with the ablation pattern. Typically, the energy motion sensor has a mask arranged to block varying portions of the laser beam in response to laser beam adjustment. Positioning of the laser beam is verified by comparing anticipated energy readings from the sensor based on the expected positional adjustment of the beam on the mask and actual energy readings measured by the sensor during the eye ablative procedure.

US Patent:

6773430, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Aug 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/370457

Inventors:

Richard A. Hofer - Santa Cruz CA

Assignee:

Visx, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61F 9007

US Classification:

606 12, 606 5, 606 10, 606 13

Abstract:

Improved systems, devices, and methods are provided for verifying the scanning motion or adjustment of a laser beam. The system can advantageously be used in laser eye surgery where accurate control of the laser beam is crucial for patient safety and successful vision correction. In one embodiment, a laser system is provided for sculpting a portion of the eye. The system includes a laser for generating a laser beam suitable for ablation of a portion of the eye. A laser beam adjustment mechanism is optically coupled to the laser beam from the laser. The adjustment mechanism scans or adjusts the laser beam in accordance with a predetermined ablation pattern of the laser beam on the eye. An energy motion sensor optically coupled to the laser beam downstream from the adjustment mechanism is provided to verify adjustment of the laser beam in accordance with the ablation pattern. Typically, the energy motion sensor has a mask arranged to block varying portions of the laser beam in response to laser beam adjustment. Positioning of the laser beam is verified by comparing anticipated energy readings from the sensor based on the expected positional adjustment of the beam on the mask and actual energy readings measured by the sensor during the eye ablative procedure.

US Patent:

7582081, Sep 1, 2009

Filed:

Sep 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/950563

Inventors:

Richard A. Hofer - Santa Cruz CA, US
Stephen J. Koons - Palo Alto CA, US
John Karl Shimmick - Belmont CA, US

Assignee:

AMO Manufacturing USA, LLC - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61F 9/008

US Classification:

606 5, 606 13

Abstract:

Systems, methods and apparatus for performing selective ablation of a corneal surface of an eye to effect a desired corneal shape, particularly for correcting a hyperopic/astigmatic condition by laser sculpting the corneal surface to increase its curvature. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes the steps of directing a laser beam onto a corneal surface of an eye, and changing the corneal surface from an initial curvature having hyperopic and astigmatic optical properties to a subsequent curvature having correctively improved optical properties. Thus, the curvature of the anterior corneal surface is increased to correct hyperopia, while cylindrical volumetric sculpting of the corneal tissue is performed to correct the astigmatism. The hyperopic and astigmatic corrections are preferably performed by establishing an optical correction zone on the anterior corneal surface of the eye, and directing a laser beam through a variable aperture element designed to produce a rectangular ablation (i. e. , cylindrical correction) on a portion of the optical correction zone.

US Patent:

20130282350, Oct 24, 2013

Filed:

Apr 1, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/854760

Inventors:

Richard A. Hofer - Santa Cruz CA, US
Dimitri Chernyak - Sunnyvale CA, US

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

703 11

Abstract:

Treatment table verification techniques involve comparing intended refraction information with expected optical refraction information, and validating or qualifying the treatment table based on such comparisons. Systems and methods for verifying treatment tables provide enhanced safety for laser vision correction treatments.

US Patent:

63192470, Nov 20, 2001

Filed:

Aug 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/379372

Inventors:

Richard A. Hofer - Santa Cruz CA
Stephen J. Koons - Palo Alto CA
John Karl Shimmick - Belmont CA

Assignee:

Visx, Incorporated - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61F 918

US Classification:

606 5

Abstract:

Systems, methods and apparatus for performing selective ablation of a corneal surface of an eye to effect a desired corneal shape, particularly for correcting a hyperopic/astigmatic condition by laser sculpting the corneal surface to increase its curvature. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes the steps of directing a laser beam onto a corneal surface of an eye, and changing the corneal surface from an initial curvature having hyperopic and astigmatic optical properties to a subsequent curvature having correctively improved optical properties. Thus, the curvature of the anterior corneal surface is increased to correct hyperopia, while cylindrical volumetric sculpting of the corneal tissue is performed to correct the astigmatism. The hyperopic and astigmatic corrections are preferably performed by establishing an optical correction zone on the anterior corneal surface of the eye, and directing a laser beam through a variable aperture element designed to produce a rectangular ablation (i. e. , cylindrical correction) on a portion of the optical correction zone.