Occlusion sensing in ophthalmic laser probes

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a system for sensing occlusions in an optical system includes a first laser source configured to generate optical signals and a set of optical elements arranged to receive the optical signals from the first laser source and to direct the optical signals along a beam path. The system also includes a detector arranged to receive reflections of the optical signals travelling along at least a portion of the beam path and a control system communicably coupled to the detector. The control system is configured to detect, based on signals generated by the detector, reflection signals associated with the reflections of the optical signals, and disable a second laser source based on detection of the reflection signals.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for sensing occlusions in an optical system, comprising:
 a first laser source configured to generate optical signals;   a set of optical elements arranged to receive the optical signals from the first laser source and to direct the optical signals along a beam path;   a detector arranged to receive reflections of the optical signals travelling along at least a portion of the beam path; and   a control system comprising a processor and memory storing executable instructions, the control system communicably coupled to the detector, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, enable the control system to:
 detect, based on signals generated by the detector, reflection signals associated with the reflections of the optical signals; and 
 disable a second laser source based on detection of the reflection signals. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a function generator communicably coupled to the first laser source, the function generator configured to generate a modulation signal to modulate the optical signals generated by the first laser source. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a lock-in amplifier communicably coupled to the detector, the function generator, and the control system, the lock-in amplifier configured to extract, based on the modulation signal, the reflection signals from signals generated by the detector. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of optical elements comprises a beamsplitter configured to transmit the optical signals generated by the first laser source and reflect the reflections of the optical signals toward the detector. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of optical elements comprises a dichroic mirror configured to reflect the optical signals generated by the first laser source and to transmit optical signals generated by the second laser source. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of optical elements comprises a terminating optical element, and the detector is arranged to receive the reflections of the optical signals caused by the terminating optical element. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of optical elements is arranged to direct the optical signals generated by the first laser source toward an optical fiber, and at least one of the optical elements in the set of optical elements is configured to direct optical signals generated by the second laser source toward the optical fiber. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to disable the second laser source based on a determination that a magnitude of the reflection signals is above a threshold value. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first laser source is configured to generate optical signals having a wavelength different from that of the second laser source. 
     
     
         10 . An ophthalmic surgical system, comprising:
 a connector configured to couple to a surgical probe comprising one or more optical elements;   a treatment laser source;   a probe laser source;   a detector;   a set of optical elements configured to:
 receive a treatment optical signal from the treatment laser source and direct the treatment optical signal along a first beam path toward the one or more optical elements of the surgical probe; 
 receive a probe optical signal from the probe laser source and direct the probe optical signal along a second beam path toward the one or more optical elements of the surgical probe; and 
 receive a reflection of the probe optical signal caused by one or more of the optical elements in the surgical probe and direct the reflection of the probe optical signal toward the detector; and 
   a control system comprising a processor and memory storing executable instructions, the control system communicably coupled to the detector, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, enable the control system to:
 detect, based on signals generated by the detector, a reflection signal associated with the reflection of the probe optical signal; and 
 disable the treatment laser source based on detection of the reflection signal. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a function generator communicably coupled to the probe laser source, the function generator configured to generate a modulation signal to modulate probe optical signals generated by the probe laser source. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a lock-in amplifier communicably coupled to the detector, the function generator, and the control system, the lock-in amplifier configured to extract, based on the modulation signal, the reflection signals from the signals generated by the detector. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the set of optical elements comprises a beamsplitter arranged to transmit the probe optical signal along the second beam path and to reflect the reflection of the probe optical signal toward the detector. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the set of optical elements comprises a dichroic mirror configured to transmit the treatment optical signal and to reflect the probe optical signal. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the treatment laser source is configured to generate the treatment optical signal having a wavelength between 500-600 nm; and   the probe laser source is configured to generate the probe optical signal having a wavelength between 600-700 nm or between 800-900 nm.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control system is configured to disable the treatment laser source based on a determination that a magnitude of the reflection signal is above a threshold value. 
     
     
         17 . A method for sensing occlusions in an optical system, comprising:
 causing generation of probe optical signals by a first laser source;   obtaining signals generated by a detector based on optical signals received at the detector;   detecting, based on the signals received from the detector, reflection signals associated with reflections of the probe optical signals generated by the first laser source; and   disabling a second laser source in response to detecting the reflection signals.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising generating, by a function generator, a modulation signal to modulate the probe optical signals generated by the first laser source. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein detecting the reflection signals comprises extracting, by a lock-in amplifier, the reflection signals based on the modulation signal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein disabling the second laser source is based on a determination that a magnitude of the reflection signals is above a threshold value.