PHILIP LEMPERT, M.D.
Medical Practice at Uptown Rd, Ithaca, NY

5139022, Aug 18, 1992

Oct 26, 1990

7/604661

Philip Lempert - Ithaca NY

A61B 310

128633

A method and accompanying apparatus are provided for in vivo imaging of ocular tissue. In general, the method comprises providing a laser beam having an essentially planar configuration. The planar laser beam is directed through a cross-sectional portion of the ocular tissue, so as to illuminate the cross-sectional portion and cause the laser beam to be scattered by molecules in the ocular tissue. Then, at least a portion of the scattered laser light is detected so as to form a cross-sectional image of the ocular tissue. In general, the planar configured laser beam will have a slit-like cross-sectional dimension having essentially the same width dimension over the depth of field within which the largest depth dimension of the eye extends. These unique characteristics of the illumination beam permit the formation of clear, in-focus images detected at the image detection plane. The method and apparatus of the present invention can be used for objectively measuring the optical density of ocular tissue, as well as precisely measuring the physical dimension of ocular structures and their correct spatial relationships within the eye.

5404884, Apr 11, 1995

Aug 17, 1992

7/931271

Philip Lempert - Ithaca NY

A61B 310

128665

A method and accompanying apparatus are provided for in vivo imaging of corneal tissue. In general, the method comprises providing a laser beam having a substantially planer configuration. The substantially planar laser beam is directed through a cross-sectional portion of the cornea of a patient, so as to illuminate the cross-sectional portion and cause the laser beam to be scattered by molecules in the corneal tissue. Then, at least a portion of the scattered laser light is detected so as to form a cross-sectional image of the corneal tissue. In general, the planar configured laser beam will have a slit-like cross-sectional dimension having essentially the same width dimension over the depth of field within which the largest depth dimension of the eye extends. These unique characteristics of the illumination beam permit the formation of clear, in-focus images detected at the image detection plane. The method and apparatus of the present invention can be used for objectively measuring the optical density of corneal tissue, as well as precisely measuring the physical dimensions, such as thickness and curvature, of the cornea and its correct spatial relationship within the eye.

6275718, Aug 14, 2001

Mar 23, 1999

9/274203

Philip Lempert - Ithaca NY

A61B 310

600407

A method and accompanying apparatus are provided for in vivo imaging of corneal tissue which, in general, includes a laser beam having a substantially planer configuration so as to illuminate the cross-sectional portion of a patient's eye and cause the laser beam to be scattered by molecules in the corneal tissue. The scattered laser light is detected to form a cross-sectional image of the corneal tissue. Corneal thickness and topographical data can be produced for use by ophthalmological surgeons in planning the precise curvature profile that must be photo-ablatively sculptured in the stroma tissue of a particular patient in order to achieve a desired degree of optical correction in his or her eye. Additionally disclosed is a miniaturized apparatus for use in the field which includes a housing having a laser source for illuminating the patient's eye and a camera for recording the reflected light and one of (a) a controlled moving target for the patient's eye under examination to focus upon (e. g. , a series of lamps) or (b) a device for scanning the beam (e. g.