System and method for ophthalmic laser surgery employing eye tracking without eye docking

Abstract

A system and method for performing ophthalmic surgery using an ultra-short pulsed laser is provided. The system includes a laser engine configured to provide an ultra-short pulsed laser beam, optics configured to direct the laser beam to an undocked eye of a patient, an eye tracker configured to measure five degrees of freedom of movement of the undocked eye, an optical coherence tomography module configured to measure depth of the undocked eye, and a controller configured to control laser beam position on the undocked eye toward a desired laser pattern based on depth and the five degrees of freedom of movement of the undocked eye. Adaptive optics are also provided. Also disclosed are a scleral ring including fiducial markings and a compliant contact lens and fluid tillable contact lens configured to facilitate ultra-short pulsed laser surgery while reducing or eliminating eye docking requirements.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . An system comprising:
 a scleral ring configured to fit over a cornea of a patient, the scleral ring comprising an exterior circular ring formed with a circular opening therein;   wherein the scleral ring comprises at least one fiducial marking discernible from a distance by an eye tracking device.   
     
     
         8 . A surgical laser system configured to deliver an ultra-short pulsed laser beam to a patient's eye comprising:
 a lens configured to fit over an anterior surface of the patient's eye and substantially cover the cornea, the lens comprising a relatively flat anterior surface and a curved posterior surface;   wherein the lens is configured to receive an ultra-short pulsed laser beam and facilitate performance of ocular surgery by providing an index of refraction closer to that of ocular tissue than air.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the lens comprises at least one fiducial marking. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the lens comprises a support element provided at the base of the lens to support the lens on the eye of the patient. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the lens comprises at least one edge formed adjacent the anterior surface and forming a cavity, the at least one edge configured to enable docking of the lens to a patient interface. 
     
     
         12 - 16 . (canceled)