Confocal laser eye surgery system

Abstract

A laser surgery system includes a light source, an eye interface device, a scanning assembly, a confocal detection assembly and preferably a confocal bypass assembly. The light source generates an electromagnetic beam. The scanning assembly scans a focal point of the electromagnetic beam to different locations within the eye. An optical path propagates the electromagnetic beam from a light source to the focal point, and also propagates a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along at least a portion of the optical path. The optical path includes an optical element associated with a confocal detection assembly that diverts a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor. The sensor generates an intensity signal indicative of intensity the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location. The confocal bypass assembly reversibly diverts the electromagnetic beam along a diversion optical path around the optical element.

1 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . An eye surgery system comprising:
 a light source for generating an electromagnetic beam;   an eye interface device configured to interface with an eye of a patient;   a scanning assembly supporting the eye interface device and operable to scan a focal point of the electromagnetic beam to different locations within the eye;   an optical path configured to propagate the electromagnetic beam from the light source to the focal point and also configured to propagate a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along the optical path, the optical path comprising a non-polarizing first optical element that attenuates the electromagnetic beam in a direction from the light source to the scanner and that also diverts a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor;   a detection assembly which includes the sensor, configured to generate an intensity signal indicative of intensity of a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location; and   a bypass assembly configured to divert the radiation beam along a diversion optical path around the first optical element when the bypass assembly is inserted into the optical path, and   control electronics configured to control the bypass assembly to insert the bypass assembly into the optical path and to move the bypass assembly out of the optical path.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the bypass assembly comprises a bypass prism. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the electromagnetic beam is diverted by reversibly moving the bypass prism into the optical path, thereby diverting the electromagnetic beam along the diversion optical path. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the first optical element is a nonpolarizing beam-splitter that directs a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to the sensor. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the beam-splitter transmits less than 20% of the electromagnetic beam to the scanner. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the beam-splitter is stationary. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the electromagnetic beam is configured to modify tissue of the eye when the electromagnetic beam is diverted along the diversion optical path.