Importance

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Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an alignment system operable to align a laser associated with a laser vision correction system. One embodiment of the alignment system comprises a laser source, a beam steering device, a system controller, a partially reflective surface, focusing optics, and an optical detector. The laser source generates a laser beam that the beam steering device receives and redirects along either a surgical pathway or an alignment pathway. The system controller couples to the beam steering device and directs the beam steering device to choose which pathway to be utilized. Additionally, the system controller may control the pulse repetition rate, intensity, beam profile and alignment of the laser beam. The partially reflective surface, within the alignment pathway, partially reflects the laser beam towards alignment coordinates on the surface of the optical detector. Focusing optics, if needed, may further be utilized to focus the partially reflected laser beam on the surface of the optical detector. The optical detector senses the coordinates associated with the illuminated portion of the surface of the optical detector. The system controller compares the coordinates associated with the alignment coordinates and the sensed coordinates and generates a position offset which is used to align the laser beam/steering device.

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First Claim