PRECISE LASER INCISIONS, CORRECTED FOR PATIENT RESPIRATION WITH AN INTELLIGENT AIMING SYSTEM

Background and Objective: Patient motion due to respiration and blood flow can negatively affect the precision of a laser incision. Study De sign/Materials and Methods: The video image of the surgical field is m onitored by a computer system, and trends in the motion are ''learned' ' by the computer. The laser beam is then adjusted to compensate for p redicted motion. Occasional erratic motion sometime causes a false pre diction. In this event, the prediction is corrected with real-time fee dback. Results: Our experience shows that even with occasional false p redictions, the motion compensation still gives a better incision. The surgeon always maintains control of the laser. The net effect of the intelligent aiming system is to subtract away nearly all patient motio ns. Conclusion: Laser surgery can be performed with greater accuracy a nd reduced unwanted tissue damage with the predictive tracking of moti on. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.