Method and System for Removal and Replacement of Lens Material fron the Lens of an Eye

Abstract

There is provided a system, apparatus and methods for developing laser systems that can create a precise predetermined capsulotomy. The systems, apparatus and methods further provide laser systems that reduce the patient-to-patient variability and doctor-to-doctor variability associated with hand held apparatus for performing capsulorhexis and capsulotomies. There is further provided a precise predetermined shot pattern and shaped capsulotomy that is based at least in part on the shape of an IOL and in particular an accommodating IOL.

1 . A system for reducing eye to eye and surgeon to surgeon variability in performing procedures to create cuts in the capsule of the crystalline lens of the eye, the system comprising:
 a. a therapeutic laser for producing a therapeutic laser beam;   b. an optical path for directing the therapeutic laser beam from the therapeutic laser to the lens of the eye; and,   c. a control system for at least directing the therapeutic laser beam in a predetermined non-geometric shaped shot pattern on a portion of the anterior capsule of the lens of the eye to create a precise predetermined non-geometric shaped capsulotomy.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined shot pattern comprises at least one essentially straight section. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined shot pattern comprises at least two essentially straight sections. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined shot pattern comprises a first essentially straight section, a second essentially straight section, a first curved section and a second curved section. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 a. the predetermined shot pattern comprises a first essentially straight section, a second essentially straight section, a first curved section and a second curved section; and,   b. the first essentially straight section is connected to the second and third curved sections.   
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  comprising a means for determining the apex of the lens of the eye. 
   
   
       7 . A system for reducing eye to eye and surgeon to surgeon variability in performing procedures to create cuts in the capsule of the crystalline lens of the eye, the system comprising:
 a. a therapeutic laser for producing a therapeutic laser beam;   b. an optical path for directing the therapeutic laser beam from the therapeutic laser to the lens of the eye;   c. a control system for at least directing the therapeutic laser beam in a predetermined non-geometric shaped shot pattern on a portion of the anterior capsule of the lens of the eye to create a precise predetermined non-geometric shaped capsulotomy; and,   d. the shot pattern shape being based at least in part on the shape of an IOL.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the predetermined shot pattern comprises at least one essentially straight section. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the predetermined shot pattern comprises at least two essentially straight sections. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the predetermined shot pattern comprises a first essentially straight section, a second essentially straight section, a first curved section and a second curved section. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7  wherein:
 a. the predetermined shot pattern comprises a first essentially straight section, a second essentially straight section, a first curved section and a second curved section; and,   b. the first essentially straight section is connected to the second and third curved sections.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 7  comprising a means for determining the apex of the lens of the eye. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the IOL is an FDA approved accommodating IOL. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the IOL is an FDA approved IOL for near, intermediate and distance vision. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the IOL is an FDA approved IOL that reduces or eliminates the need for spectacles. 
   
   
       16 . A system for reducing eye to eye and surgeon to surgeon variability in performing procedures to create cuts in the capsule of the crystalline lens of the eye, the system comprising:
 a. a therapeutic laser for producing a therapeutic laser beam;   b. an optical path for directing the therapeutic laser beam from the therapeutic laser to the lens of the eye;   c. a control system for at least directing the therapeutic laser beam in a predetermined non-geometric shaped shot pattern on a portion of the anterior capsule of the lens of the eye to create a precise predetermined non-geometric shaped capsulotomy;   d. the shot pattern shape being based at least in part on the shape of an IOL, the IOL having at least one hinge; and,   e. the shot pattern essentially following the shape of the IOL.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the shot pattern is positioned on the lens of the eye so that the capsulotomy is in part position outside of the hinge. 
   
   
       18 . A system for reducing eye to eye and surgeon to surgeon variability in performing procedures to create cuts in the capsule of the crystalline lens of the eye, the system comprising:
 a. a therapeutic laser for producing a therapeutic laser beam;   b. an optical path for directing a therapeutic laser beam from the therapeutic laser to the lens of the eye;   c. a control system for at least directing the therapeutic laser beam in a shot pattern on a portion of the anterior capsule of the lens of the eye to create a cut in the capsule;   d. the shot pattern having an X, Y and Z direction component;   e. the delivery of the shots in the shot pattern relative to the X, Y and Z directional components being delivered in a jigsaw cut, having a Z direction sweep; and,   f. wherein the Z direction sweep is of a magnitude that it substantially reduces the number of missed cuts which reduces eye to eye and surgeon to surgeon variability.   
   
   
       19 . A system for reducing eye to eye and surgeon to surgeon variability in performing procedures to create cuts in the capsule of the crystalline lens of the eye, the system comprising:
 a. a therapeutic laser for producing a therapeutic laser beam;   b. an optical path for directing a therapeutic laser beam from the therapeutic laser to the lens of the eye;   c. a control system for at least directing the therapeutic laser beam in a shot pattern on a portion of the anterior capsule of the lens of the eye to create a cut in the capsule; and,   d. a means for determining the apex of the lens of the eye.   
   
   
       20 . A method for making a laser device for creating a precise predetermined capsulotomy, said method comprising:
 a. obtaining a laser device having a therapeutic laser;   b. analyzing an IOL to obtain information about the IOL;   c. developing a non-geometric shaped shot pattern for the delivery of the therapeutic laser to the capsule of the crystalline lens of the eye;   d. said development being based at least in part upon the information obtained from said analysis; and,   e. providing the non-geometric shot pattern to said laser device.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the IOL is an FDA approved accommodating IOL. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the IOL is an FDA approved IOL for near, intermediate and distance vision. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the IOL is an FDA approved IOL that reduces or eliminates the need for spectacles.