Adjustable laser pulse control
Inventors
Jung, David • Malek Tabrizi, Alireza • Watanabe, Keith
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12708562-B2
Publication Date
2026-08-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for flexibly controlling laser pulses being output from a laser system. An example surgical system comprises a laser, an optical switching device, and a laser pulse controller. Optical switching control signals communicated by the laser pulse controller control the length of a pulse picking cycle and the number of laser pulses in each pulse picking cycle to be output from the laser system. The number of laser pulses in each pulse picking cycle to be output from the laser system may be adjustable in a range that includes more than 50% of the laser pulses in each pulse picking cycle.
Core Innovation
The surgical system comprises a laser, an optical switching device, and a laser pulse controller. The controller communicates signals that control the length of a pulse-picking cycle and the number of pulses output in each cycle. The output count is greater than 50% but less than the total number of pulses in the cycle, with separate signals marking cycle timing and specifying the output count.
The method controls a surgical system by receiving input that sets the pulse-picking-cycle length and the number of pulses to output, emitting laser pulses, and outputting pulses according to that input. The supplied partial content does not include the background section, so the problem being solved is not explicitly described in patent. The described system also includes options for pulse-energy control and operator adjustment.
Claims Coverage
The two independent claims are claim 1, covering a surgical system, and claim 8, covering a method of controlling a surgical system. Four inventive features summarize their principal coverage.
Pulse selection within each pulse-picking cycle
Claim 1 covers an optical switching device and laser pulse controller configured to control the cycle length and the number of laser pulses output in each cycle. The output count is greater than 50% but less than the total number of pulses in the cycle.
Separate signals for cycle timing and pulse count
Claim 1 specifies a sync signal that marks the start of each pulse-picking cycle and a second signal that indicates the number of pulses to be output. The cycle includes the indicated output pulses followed by pulses that are not output.
Input-controlled pulse output
Claim 8 covers providing input that controls the pulse-picking-cycle length and the number of pulses output in each cycle, emitting laser pulses, and outputting pulses in accordance with the input. The output count is greater than 50% but less than the total number of pulses in the cycle.
Separate signals for method control
Claim 8 specifies optical switching control signals comprising a sync signal that marks the start of each pulse-picking cycle and a second signal that controls the number of pulses to be output. The cycle comprises the indicated output pulses followed by pulses that are not output.
The independent claims cover both a surgical system and a control method that select laser pulse output by cycle, using separate cycle-timing and pulse-count signals. In both, the selected output is more than half but fewer than all pulses in each cycle.
Stated Advantages
Flexible pulse and energy control is intended to improve procedural control and efficiency.
Documented Applications
The system is described for ophthalmic procedures, including cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery.
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