Surgery – Truss – Pad
Patent
1992-08-17
1995-04-11
Sykes, Angela D.
Surgery
Truss
Pad
351206, 351221, A61B 310
Patent
active
054048842
ABSTRACT:
A method and accompanying apparatus are provided for in vivo imaging of corneal tissue. In general, the method comprises providing a laser beam having a substantially planer configuration. The substantially planar laser beam is directed through a cross-sectional portion of the cornea of a patient, so as to illuminate the cross-sectional portion and cause the laser beam to be scattered by molecules in the corneal tissue. Then, at least a portion of the scattered laser light is detected so as to form a cross-sectional image of the corneal tissue. In general, the planar configured laser beam will have a slit-like cross-sectional dimension having essentially the same width dimension over the depth of field within which the largest depth dimension of the eye extends. These unique characteristics of the illumination beam permit the formation of clear, in-focus images detected at the image detection plane. The method and apparatus of the present invention can be used for objectively measuring the optical density of corneal tissue, as well as precisely measuring the physical dimensions, such as thickness and curvature, of the cornea and its correct spatial relationship within the eye. The method and apparatus of the present invention can be utilized to produce in-focus cross-sectional images, from which the optical density of corneal tissue can be precisely measured and thus the precise degree and location of corneal haze therewithin determined. Also, corneal thickness and topographical data can be produced for use by ophthalmological surgeons in planning the precise curvature profile that must be photo-ablatively sculptured in the stroma tissue of a particular patient in order to achieve a desired degree of optical correction in his or her eye.
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