초록 ▼

This invention is a method for sculpturing a laser beam (13) in a predetermined pattern using a device (17) between the laser source (11) and the target (23). The method comprises a series of sequential steps in which at least two regions of the cornea (177) are each exposed to increasingly larger p

This invention is a method for sculpturing a laser beam (13) in a predetermined pattern using a device (17) between the laser source (11) and the target (23). The method comprises a series of sequential steps in which at least two regions of the cornea (177) are each exposed to increasingly larger portions of the laser beam (13). In the preferred embodiment, two pairs of complementary regions of the cornea (177) will be sequentially exposed to laser radiation. In each such region, a first part will be exposed to a substantially segmental portion of the beam (13), and then at least another larger substantially segmental portion of the beam (13) in which the larger segmental portion, includes the smaller segmental portion. In the preferred embodiment, the target (23) is the human eye, and the predetermined pattern is intended to shape the eye to treat it for astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of applying a beam of tissue-ablating laser radiation to affect the shape of a cornea without introducing any substantial asymmetry to the shape of said cornea, said method comprising the steps of exposing the cornea to laser radiation comprising the steps of:(a) providing a laser beam h

1. A method of applying a beam of tissue-ablating laser radiation to affect the shape of a cornea without introducing any substantial asymmetry to the shape of said cornea, said method comprising the steps of exposing the cornea to laser radiation comprising the steps of:(a) providing a laser beam having an predefined shape along a beam axis; and (b) exposing a plurality of corneal regions to a plurality of laser beam subportions to affect the shape of said cornea without introducing any substantial asymmetry to the shape of said cornea, said laser beam subportions each being asymmetrical with respect to said laser beam axis and having a cross sectional shape substantially defined by a portion of the periphery of said predefined shape, each of said subportions of said laser beam being produced by occluding a portion of said beam of predefined shape.