Ophthalmic laser apparatus, system, and method with high resolution imaging

Abstract

System and method of photoaltering a region of an eye using a high resolution digital image of the eye. The system includes a laser assembly for outputting a pulsed laser beam, an imaging system for capturing a real-time high resolution digital image of the eye and displaying the digital image of the eye, a user interface receiving at least one laser parameter input, and a controller coupled to the laser assembly, imaging system, and user interface. The controller directs the laser assembly to output the pulsed laser beam to the region of the eye based on the laser parameter input.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A system for photoaltering a region of an eye, the system comprising:
 a laser assembly configured to output a pulsed laser beam;   an imaging system comprising:   a digital camera;   a first optical element configured to capture a first digital image of the eye with the digital camera, the first digital image of the eye having a first resolution;   a second optical element configured to capture a second digital image of the eye with the digital camera, the second digital image of the eye having a second resolution; and   a monitor configured to display a third digital image of the eye, the third digital image of the eye based on one of the first digital image of the eye and the second digital image of the eye; and   a controller coupled to the laser assembly and the imaging system, the controller configured to:   produce the third digital image of the eye; and   direct the laser assembly to output the pulsed laser beam to the region of the eye in response to at least one operator input, the at least one operator input based on the third digital image of the eye.   
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the laser assembly is configured to produce the pulsed laser beam with a pulse repetition rate of about 150 kHz. 
     
     
         16 . A kit for an ophthalmic laser system, the ophthalmic laser system comprising an ocular microscope configured to view an eye, the kit comprising:
 an imaging system comprising an image sensor configured to capture a digital image of the eye, a monitor configured to display the digital image of the eye, an imaging interface, and a processor coupled to the image sensor, the display, and the interface; and   a mounting apparatus configured to couple the imaging system to the ophthalmic laser system and thereby replace the ocular microscope.   
     
     
         17 . A kit according to  claim 16 , wherein the ophthalmic laser system further comprises a user interface configured to display a plurality of laser operating parameters and further configured to display the digital image of the eye; and wherein the mounting apparatus is further configured to couple the imaging system to the user interface. 
     
     
         18 . A kit according to  claim 16 , wherein the image sensor is a digital camera having at least a 1624×1224 resolution and a frame rate of at least about 20 frames per second. 
     
     
         19 . A kit according to  claim 16 , wherein the monitor has at least a 1024×768 resolution. 
     
     
         20 . A kit according to  claim 16 , wherein the laser assembly is configured to produce the pulsed laser beam with a pulse repetition rate of about 150 kHz 
     
     
         21 . A kit according to  claim 16 , wherein the image sensor is further configured to capture a first digital image of the eye, wherein the monitor is further configured to display a second digital image of the eye, and wherein the controller is further configured to receive the first digital image of the eye and produce the second digital image of the eye via a compression of the first digital image of the eye. 
     
     
         22 . A kit according to  claim 16 , wherein the imaging system is further configured to receive at least one imaging parameter input, and wherein the controller is further configured to alter the digital image of the eye displayed by the imaging system in response to the at least one imaging parameter input. 
     
     
         23 . A kit according to  claim 13 , wherein the monitor is a moveable monitor. 
     
     
         24 . A kit according to  claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to display a graphical user interface on the monitor. 
     
     
         25 . A kit according to  claim 24 , wherein the graphical user interface comprises at least one button corresponding to a pre-determined focal setting, and wherein the processor is further configured to control a focal depth of the image sensor based on a selection of the at least one button. 
     
     
         26 . A kit according to  claim 25 , wherein the pre-determined focal setting is selected from a group consisting of a bubble layer focal setting, a corneal surface focal setting, an iris focal setting, and a pre-determined demagnification setting. 
     
     
         27 . A kit according to  claim 24 , wherein the graphical user interface comprises a button, wherein the processor is further configured to store a data file based on the digital image of the eye upon selection of the button. 
     
     
         28 . A kit according to  claim 27 , wherein the data file represents a video based on the digital image of the eye. 
     
     
         29 . A method of photoaltering a region of an eye using a pulsed laser beam, the method comprising the steps of:
 producing a real-time high resolution digital image of the eye;   displaying the real-time high resolution digital image of the eye; and   directing the pulsed laser beam at the region in response to an operator input, the operator input based on the real-time high resolution digital image of the eye.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the step of producing a real-time high resolution digital image of the eye comprises capturing the real-time high resolution digital image of the eye with a digital camera, the digital camera having at least a 1624×1224 resolution and a frame rate of at least about 20 frames per second. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the step of displaying the real-time high resolution digital image of the eye comprises displaying the real-time high resolution digital image of the eye on a monitor having at least a 1024×768 resolution.