Ophthalmic interface apparatus, method of interfacing a surgical laser with an eye, and support ring for use with a suction ring

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for interfacing a surgical laser with an eye using a patient interface device that minimizes aberrations through a combination of a contact lens surface positioning and a liquid medium between an anterior surface of the eye and the contact lens surface. Further, support rings, ocular stability devices, and methods for interfacing an eye during laser surgery are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a support ring includes a first end surface, a second end surface opposite the first end surface, and an outer surface extending between the first end surface and the second end surface. The second end surface has a width that is greater than a width of the first end surface and extends toward a central opening in the support ring to define a concave curvature configured to substantially match a curvature of a patient's eye. The outer surface includes an annular groove formed adjacent the first end surface and a plurality of exterior vacuum channels spaced around the annular groove and extends axially from the annular groove to the second end surface.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of interfacing with an eye during a laser surgery comprising:
 contacting a support ring to an anterior surface of the eye, the support ring being disposed in a cavity of a suction ring, the cavity defined between an outer annular wall, an inner annular wall, and a radially extending wall of the suction ring, the support ring including:
 a first end surface, 
 a second end surface opposite the first end surface, the second end surface having a width that is greater than a width of the first end surface for contacting the eye and extending toward a central opening of the support ring to define a concave curvature configured to substantially match a curvature of the eye, and 
 an outer surface extending between the first end surface and the second end surface, the outer surface including an annular groove and a plurality of exterior vacuum channels, the annular groove being formed adjacent the first end surface, and the plurality of exterior vacuum channels being spaced around the annular groove and extending axially from the annular groove to the second end surface; and 
   applying a vacuum suction to the anterior surface of the eye via an orifice extending from the suction ring, the orifice being in communication with the annular groove and the plurality of exterior vacuum channels.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising coupling a gripper component to the suction ring, the gripper component including an annular receptacle within which the suction ring is disposed. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising inserting an apex ring of a lens cone into a central orifice defined by the annular receptacle of the gripper component, the lens cone further including a base ring spaced apart from the apex ring and struts extending from the apex ring to the base ring. 
     
     
         24 . An interface for coupling a patient's eye to a surgical laser system, the interface comprising:
 an attachment ring configured to overlay the anterior surface of the eye; and   a lens cone, configured to couple to a delivery tip of the surgical laser system;   wherein the attachment ring and lens cone include a splined interface for coupling to each other.   
     
     
         25 . The interface of  claim 24 , wherein the attachment ring includes a lens. 
     
     
         26 . The interface of  claim 24 , wherein the lens comprises a surface shape selected from the group consisting of a flat surface, a concave surface and a convex surface. 
     
     
         27 . The interface of  claim 24 , wherein the lens comprises a flexible surface. 
     
     
         28 . The interface of  claim 24 , wherein the attachment ring has an inner surface that defines a chamber when overlaid on the anterior surface of the eye, the chamber configured to receive a liquid, and wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of balanced salt solution and ophthalmic viscoelastic devices. 
     
     
         29 . The interface of  claim 24 , wherein the attachment ring has an inner surface that defines a chamber when overlaid on the anterior surface of the eye, the chamber configured to receive a liquid, and wherein the fluid comprises a refractive index equivalent to a refractive index of a cornea of the eye. 
     
     
         30 . The interface of  claim 24 , the attachment ring further comprising:
 a flexible annular outer shroud, the shroud configured to engage the surface of the eye when in proximity thereto, the shroud defining an outer wall surface; and   an annular suction cavity formed in an upper surface of the attachment ring and in proximate contact with the outer wall surface of the shroud.   
     
     
         31 . The interface according to  claim 30 , the attachment ring further comprising a fluid communication channel coupled between the suction cavity and a vacuum source, wherein as the attachment ring is positioned proximate to an eye, a suction is communicated to the annular suction cavity thereby engaging the attachment ring to the eye. 
     
     
         32 . An interface for coupling a patient's eye to a surgical laser system, the interface comprising:
 an attachment ring configured to overlay the anterior surface of the eye;   a contact lens located in the attachment ring; and   a lens cone coupled to the attachment ring, having an aspheric lens positioned above the contact lens, configured to couple to a delivery tip of the surgical laser system.   
     
     
         33 . The interface of  claim 32 , wherein the attachment ring and lens cone include a splined interface for coupling to each other. 
     
     
         34 . The interface of  claim 32 , wherein the contact lens has a negative lens portion configured to contact the patient's eye. 
     
     
         35 . The interface of  claim 32 , wherein the aspheric lens is located approximately 25 mm above a bottom surface of the contact lens, and wherein the aspheric lens has a focal distance of about −73 mm. 
     
     
         36 . The interface of  claim 32 , the attachment ring further comprising a suction ring.