Patent ID: 8231612
Filing Date: 2012-07-31
Classification: A61F,B23K

Abstract:
1. A method of photoaltering tissue of a human eye in a scan region using a pulsed laser beam, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a first pulse energy and a focal point separation of successive pulses of the pulsed laser beam based on a relationship of pulse energy, and focal point separation combinations enabling layer separation of the tissue by photoalteration, the relationship having a slope and having a distinct change in the slope, the distinct change in the slope associated with a second pulse energy on the relationship, the first pulse energy being equal to or less than the second pulse energy; selecting a focal point depth using the first pulse energy and the focal point separation such that the pulsed laser beam does not cause a gas to rupture a surface of the tissue, the focal point depth being a sub-surface depth; and scanning the pulsed laser beam along the scan region at the first pulse energy, the focal point depth, and the focal point separation.