Patent ID: 6529543
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus delivering laser radiation to a substrate at a controlled penetration depth, the substrate having a first refractive index and an absorption coefficient &mgr;a, said apparatus comprisingan optical coupler for receiving optical energy from a optical energy source, the optical coupler having a second refractive index higher than the first refractive index, the optical coupler being adapted to contact and form an interface with the substrate, the optical coupler having a contoured surface such that an angle of refraction &thgr;r of the optical energy into the substrate at the interface can be varied by adjusting relative positions of the optical coupler and the optical energy entering the optical coupler, selection of a particular angle of refraction producing a desired penetration depth &dgr;r according to the equation &dgr;r&ap;(1/&mgr;a)cos &thgr;r, and a positioning mechanism coupling the optical coupler and the optical energy for adjusting the relative positions of the optical coupler and the optical energy entering the optical coupler.