Device and process for machining the cornea of a human eye with focused pulsed laser radiation

Abstract

A device for generating at least one continuous slit-like incision ( 42 ) from the posterior surface ( 48 ) as far as the anterior surface ( 46 ) of the cornea ( 44 ) of an eye, comprising a laser device for generating at least one part of the incision with focused pulsed laser radiation, the laser device including controllable components for setting the location of the focus, a control computer for controlling these components, and also a control program for the control computer. The control program contains instructions that are designed to bring about, upon execution by the control computer, the generation of at least one part of the incision ( 42 ) originating from the posterior surface ( 48 ) of the cornea, the cross-sectional contour of the incision—when observed in the direction from the anterior surface to the posterior surface—deviating from a straight line ( 60 ) perpendicular to the surface of the eye.

1 . A device for generating at least one continuous slit-like incision from the posterior surface as far as the anterior surface of a cornea of a human eye, the device comprising: a laser device for generating at least part of the incision with focused pulsed laser radiation, the laser device comprising controllable components for setting the location of the radiation focus; a control computer for controlling these components; and a control program for the control computer, the control program containing instructions that are designed to bring about, upon execution by the control computer, the generation of at least part of the incision originating from the posterior surface of the cornea; wherein at least this part of the incision exhibits a cross-sectional contour—when observed in the direction from the anterior surface to the posterior surface—that deviates from a straight line perpendicular to the surface of the eye. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional contour of the incision exhibits at least one sharp bend. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the cross-sectional contour of the incision exhibits a substantially rectilinear portion on both sides of the sharp bend. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 2  or  3 , wherein the cross-sectional contour of the incision exhibits several sharp bends. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the cross-sectional contour of the incision exhibits at least one rectilinear portion extending between two sharp bends, which extends substantially perpendicular to the surface of the eye. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the cross-sectional contour of the incision exhibits at least three rectilinear portions which follow one another in the manner of a zigzag pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the incision extends along or across an imaginary circular line which is substantially concentric with the pupil of the eye. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the incision possesses substantially constant width over its entire length from the anterior surface to the posterior surface of the cornea or possesses a diminishing or increasing width towards the posterior surface. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the instructions of the control program are designed to bring about the generation of, in each instance, at least one part of several incisions. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein at least a fractional number of at least two of the incisions are arranged distributed along an imaginary circular line which is substantially concentric with the pupil of the eye. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the incisions are arranged distributed over several imaginary circular lines which are substantially concentric with the pupil of the eye. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the laser radiation possesses pulse durations within the range of less than 1 picosecond. 
     
     
         13 . A method for generating a slit-like incision in a cornea, the incision being continuous from the posterior surface as far as the anterior surface of the cornea, the generating of the incision comprising the following steps:
 (a) providing pulsed laser radiation, the laser radiation possessing a radiation focus,   (b) directing the laser radiation onto the cornea,   (c) controlling the radiation focus of the laser radiation for the purpose of generating at least a part of the incision originating from the posterior surface of the cornea, at least this part of the incision exhibiting a cross-sectional contour—when observed in the direction from the anterior surface to the posterior surface—that deviates from a straight line perpendicular to the surface of the eye.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising at least one of:
 introducing a medical instrument through the incision into the interior of the eye, and   introducing or withdrawing ocular tissue through the incision.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the cross-sectional contour of the incision exhibits at least one sharp bend. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the cross-sectional contour of the incision exhibits a substantially rectilinear portion on both sides of the sharp bend. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the cross-sectional contour of the incision exhibits several sharp bends. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the cross-sectional contour of the incision exhibits at least one rectilinear portion extending between two sharp bends, which extends substantially perpendicular to the surface of the eye. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the cross-sectional contour of the incision exhibits at least three rectilinear portions which follow one another in the manner of a zigzag pattern. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the incision is generated in such a way that it extends along or across an imaginary circular line which is substantially concentric with the pupil of the eye. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the incision is generated in such a way that it extends tangentially relative to the circular line. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the incision possesses substantially constant width over its entire length from the anterior surface to the posterior surface of the cornea or possesses a diminishing or increasing width towards the posterior surface. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 13 , further including the generation of several incisions. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein at least a fractional number of at least two of the incisions is generated in such a way that they are arranged distributed along an imaginary circular line which is substantially concentric with the pupil of the eye. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the incisions are generated in such a way that they are arranged distributed over several imaginary circular lines which are substantially concentric with the pupil of the eye.