Short pulse laser with adjustable pulse length

Abstract

Embodiments of this invention relate to a system and method for performing laser ophthalmic surgery. The surgical laser system configured to deliver a laser pulse to a patient's eye comprises a laser engine that includes a compressor configured to compress laser light energy received, the compressor comprising a dispersion or spectrum altering component provided on a computer controlled stage connected to a computing device. A user providing an indication of a desired pulse width received by the computing device causes the computing device to reposition the stage and the component provided thereon, resulting in a different pulse length being transmitted by the laser engine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical laser system configured to deliver a laser pulse to a patient's eye, comprising:
 a laser engine, having
 a compressor configured to compress laser light energy received, the compressor comprising a dispersion altering component provided on a computer controlled stage connected to a computing device; 
 wherein a user providing an indication of a desired pulse width received by the computing device causes the computing device to reposition the stage and the component provided thereon, resulting in a different pulse length being transmitted by the laser engine. 
   
     
     
         2 . A surgical laser system configured to deliver a laser pulse to a patient's eye, comprising:
 a laser engine, having
 a compressor configured to compress laser light energy received, the compressor comprising a spectrum altering component provided on a computer controlled stage connected to a computing device;
 wherein a user providing an indication of a desired pulse width received by the computing device causes the computing device to reposition the stage and the component provided thereon, resulting in a different pulse length being transmitted by the laser engine. 
 
   
     
     
         3 . The surgical laser system of  claim 1  wherein the laser pulse has a wavelength in the range of 300 nm to 3000 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical laser system of  claim 1  wherein the compressor further comprises a separate dispersion adjustment element configured to change the pulse width of the laser light energy. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical laser system of  claim 1  wherein the compressor further comprises a separate dispersion adjustment element, the separate dispersion adjustment element configured to provide a fixed level of dispersion when positioned in a beam path of the laser pulse and no dispersion when removed from the beam path. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical laser system of  claim 2  wherein the laser pulse has a wavelength in the range of 300 nm to 3000 nm. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical laser system of  claim 2  wherein the compressor further comprises a separate dispersion adjustment element configured to change the pulse width of the laser light energy. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical laser system of  claim 2  wherein the compressor further comprises a separate dispersion adjustment element, the separate dispersion adjustment element configured to provide a fixed level of dispersion when positioned in a beam path of the laser pulse and no dispersion when removed from the beam path.