Patent ID: 7717906

Claim:
A system for performing ophthalmic laser surgery which comprises: a source means for generating a pulsed laser beam; an optical means for focusing the laser beam into a pattern having a plurality of focal points; an optical scanner means for moving the pattern of focal points along a spiral path, wherein movement of the pattern relative to a central axis is characterized by a variable angular velocity “ω”, and a variable radius “r”; and a computer means, connected to the optical scanner means, for controlling the pattern in a first phase wherein a radial spacing “Δr” between spiral lines, and the product “rω”, are held substantially constant as “r” is decreased from a radius r 1 to a radius r 2 , and for controlling the pattern in a second phase wherein “ω” is held constant and the radial spacing “Δr” is proportionally increased as “r” is further decreased from the radius r 2 to a radius r 3 .