Surgical visual feedback and eye fixation method and apparatus

Abstract

A fixation apparatus is provided that limits rotation of the ocular globe of an eye, to facilitate alignment of an instrument with the axis of astigmatism of the eye. The apparatus includes fixation target means ( 12 ) for locating in the field of view of the eye so that the eye may fixate on the target. The fixation target means includes or consists of at least one elongate component ( 16 ). Also disclosed is a corresponding method, and method and apparatus for supplying visual feedback to an operator during refractive surgery of an eye of a patient.

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . Apparatus for supplying visual feedback to an operator during refractive surgery of an eye, including:
 fixation target means for said eye to fixate upon;   viewing means for viewing said eye while it is fixated upon said fixation target means;   controller means for generating an information display; and   screen means for displaying said information display for viewing by said viewing means;   whereby said eye and said information display may be viewed simultaneously by said operator.   
     
     
         43 . Apparatus according to  claim 42 , further including display means for displaying said information display. 
     
     
         44 . Apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein said fixation target means includes or consists of at least one elongate component. 
     
     
         45 . Laser surgery apparatus, including a surgical laser and apparatus for supplying visual feedback during laser surgery performed on an eye wherein the laser apparatus includes the apparatus according to  claim 42 . 
     
     
         46 . Apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein said screen means is a miniature TV or LCD screen or a plurality of LEDs. 
     
     
         47 . Apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein said viewing means is a surgical microscope. 
     
     
         48 . Apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein said controller means is a computer. 
     
     
         49 . Apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein said information includes an alert signal indicating misalignment of the patient's eye. 
     
     
         50 . Apparatus according to  claim 42 , wherein said information pertains to one or more of: the status of the patient, the surgery, the equipment, the position of the eye, and where an eye-tracker is aiming the laser. 
     
     
         51 . Apparatus according to  claim 42  wherein said information includes one or more of the following elements of operational information: type of treatment, number of laser pulses required to finish, operation time remaining, patient identification and which eye is being treated, keratometry information, refraction information, and/or typographical information. 
     
     
         52 . A method of supplying visual feedback to an operator during refractive surgery of an eye of a patient, including:
 1) providing fixation target means for said eye to fixate upon;   2) locating said eye for viewing by said operator by means of viewing means while the eye is fixated upon said fixation target means;   3) generating an information display of information pertinent to said surgery and suitable for displaying visually; and   4) transmitting said information display to said viewing means for viewing by said operator;   whereby said eye and said information display may be viewed simultaneously by said operator.   
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 52 , wherein said information display is updated. 
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 52 , wherein said information display is generated with a controller means. 
     
     
         56 . A method according to  claim 54 , further including transmitting said information display to a display means and displaying said information display on said display means. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to claim  55 , wherein said fixation target means provided includes or consists of at least one elongate component. 
     
     
         57 . A method of performing refractive surgery on an eye of a patient wherein visual feedback is supplied in accordance with  claim 52 . 
     
     
         58 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein said information includes an alert signal indicating misalignment of the patient's eye. 
     
     
         59 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein said information pertains to one of more of: the status of the patient, the surgery, the equipment, the position of the eye, or where an eye-tracker is aiming the laser. 
     
     
         60 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein said information includes one or more of the following elements of operational information: type of treatment, number of laser pulses required to finish, operation time remaining, patient identification and which eye pulses required to finish, operation time remaining, patient identification and which eye is being treated, keratometry information, ref refraction information, and/or topographical information. 
     
     
         61 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein said fixation target means is provided so as to have a fixed orientation. 
     
     
         62 . An apparatus according to  claim 42  wherein said fixation target means has a fixed orientation. 
     
     
         63 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein said fixation target means is provided so as to have a fixed orientation.