Ophthalmic Laser System

Abstract

An ophthalmic laser system generating a first beam at a wavelength suitable for performing selective laser trabeculoplasty and selectively generating a second beam at a wavelength suitable for performing secondary cataract surgery procedures. The laser system is able to select between directing the first beam or the second beam to the eye of a patient. The first beam is suitably generated at 1064 nm from a Nd:YAG laser and the second beam is frequency doubled to 532 nm in a KTP doubling crystal.

1 . An ophthalmic laser system, comprising: a laser module adapted to produce a beam of short pulses of radiation with high energy density at a first wavelength; a first beam path incorporating an attenuator, beam shaping optics, and means for directing the beam at said first wavelength to an eye of a patient; a second beam path incorporating a frequency conversion module that converts the beam at the first wavelength to a beam at a second wavelength, an attenuator, and means for directing the beam at said second wavelength to the eye of the patient; and extracavity deflecting means for selectively deflecting the beam at said first wavelength into the second beam path, said extracavity deflecting means being operable between a first position in which the beam at said first wavelength follows the first beam path and a second position in which the beam at said first wavelength is deflected to said second beam path. 
     
     
         2 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , wherein the extracavity deflecting means comprises a half wave plate and polarizer. 
     
     
         3 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , wherein said half wave plate is rotatable by motorized means. 
     
     
         4 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , wherein the half wave plate is remotely operable. 
     
     
         5 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for remotely selecting between said first beam path and said second beam path. 
     
     
         6 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , wherein the laser module is a flashlamp pumped, solid state laser. 
     
     
         7 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , wherein the laser module is a Nd:YAG laser producing said beam at said first wavelength at a wavelength of 1064 nm, and said beam at said second wavelength is frequency-doubled to 532 nm. 
     
     
         8 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , wherein said beam shaping optics in said first beam path comprises a beam expander. 
     
     
         9 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , wherein said first beam path further incorporates an energy monitor system. 
     
     
         10 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , further comprising an aiming laser providing a targeting reference for said beam at said first wavelength. 
     
     
         11 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , wherein the frequency conversion module comprises a KTP doubling crystal or similar frequency conversion device. 
     
     
         12 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , wherein said second beam path further incorporates an energy monitor system. 
     
     
         13 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , wherein said second beam path further incorporates beam shaping optics. 
     
     
         14 . The ophthalmic laser system of  claim 1 , further comprising an aiming laser providing a targeting reference for said beam at said second wavelength. 
     
     
         15 . An ophthalmic laser system for selective treatment of glaucoma and/or secondary cataracts, comprising: a laser module adapted to produce a beam of short pulses of radiation with high energy density at a first wavelength; a first beam path incorporating an attenuator, beam shaping optics, and means for directing the beam at said first wavelength to an eye of a patient for secondary cataract treatment; a second beam path incorporating a frequency conversion module that converts the beam at the first wavelength to a beam at a second wavelength, an attenuator, and means for directing the beam at said second wavelength to the eye of the patient for glaucoma treatment; extracavity deflecting means for selectively deflecting the beam at said first wavelength into the second beam path, said means being operable between a first position in which the beam at said first wavelength follows the first beam path and a second position in which the beam at said first wavelength is deflected to said second beam path; and means for remotely selecting between said first beam path for secondary cataract treatment and said second beam path for glaucoma treatment. 
     
     
         16 . An ophthalmic laser system, comprising: a laser module adapted to produce a beam of short pulses of radiation with high energy density at a first wavelength; a first beam path incorporating an attenuator, beam shaping optics, and a mirror that directs the beam at said first wavelength to an eye of a patient; a second beam path incorporating a frequency conversion module that converts the beam at the first wavelength to a beam at a second wavelength, an attenuator, and a mirror that directs the beam at said second wavelength to the eye of the patient; and extracavity deflecting means comprising a half wave plate and polarizer combination that selectively deflects the beam at said first wavelength into the second beam path, said extracavity deflecting means being operable between a first position in which the beam at said first wavelength follows the first beam path and a second position in which the beam at said first wavelength is deflected to said second beam path.