초록 ▼

A method and accompanying apparatus are provided for in vivo imaging of corneal tissue which, in general, includes a laser beam having a substantially planer configuration so as to illuminate the cross-sectional portion of a patient's eye and cause the laser beam to be scattered by molecules in the

A method and accompanying apparatus are provided for in vivo imaging of corneal tissue which, in general, includes a laser beam having a substantially planer configuration so as to illuminate the cross-sectional portion of a patient's eye and cause the laser beam to be scattered by molecules in the corneal tissue. The scattered laser light is detected to form a cross-sectional image of the corneal tissue. 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. Additionally disclosed is a miniaturized apparatus for use in the field which includes a housing having a laser source for illuminating the patient's eye and a camera for recording the reflected light and one of (a) a controlled moving target for the patient's eye under examination to focus upon (e.g., a series of lamps) or (b) a device for scanning the beam (e.g., a prism or piezo- or electooptical crystal).

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An apparatus for in vivo imaging of anterior ocular tissue in the eye of a patient, said apparatus comprising:laser means for providing a laser beam having a substantially planar configuration in a direction towards said eye;camera means for detecting light from said la

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. An apparatus for in vivo imaging of anterior ocular tissue in the eye of a patient, said apparatus comprising:laser means for providing a laser beam having a substantially planar configuration in a direction towards said eye;camera means for detecting light from said laser reflected by said ocular tissue;a housing for containing said laser means and said camera means, said housing comprising a window that allows transmission of said laser beam towards the eye for and of said light reflected by said tissue back to said camera, and at least one port for communication of power and data signals to and from said camera and laser means; andmoving target means attached to said housing for providing a target on which said patient can fixate with said eye and which target is caused to move laterally.