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Carl Zeiss Launches Latest Laser-Integrated LASIK Surgery System
Developed by IMRA America, Inc.
(May. 18, 2007)

A German medical company, Carl Zeiss Meditec (Headquarters: Jena, Germany; President: Ulrich Kraus), will begin sales of the innovative “VisuMax” LASIK*1 surgery system in Europe and the United States in the second half of 2007. The “VisuMax” system incorporates a femtosecond fiber laser FCPA µJewel*2 developed by IMRA America, Inc. (Headquarters: Ann Arbor, Michigan; President: Takashi Omitsu), a U.S. research and development company owned by Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.

LASIK is the most common procedure for surgical vision correction such as myopia and astigmatism. In the United States, it is said that more than one million patients receive LASIK surgery each year. This technique has also been increasingly used from around the year 2000 in Japan, where several tens of thousand people undergo the LASIK procedure every year. The “VisuMax” system combines the world-leading optical lens technology of Carl Zeiss and the state-of-the-art femtosecond laser technology of IMRA America, Inc. The result is the new LASIK flap cut technique*3 that greatly increases safety and reliability.

Carl Zeiss Meditec already received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to market the femtosecond laser-based LASIK applications at the end of last year and plans to launch the “VisuMax” system in the U.S. market as well. The company will also launch sales in Japan upon obtaining approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour & Welfare. Wide implementation of this product is expected to offer greater reliability for many patients receiving the LASIK procedure. AISIN has long been dedicated to the development of innovative technologies in the optical field. With its substantial expertise, AISIN is committed to contributing to society by offering a broad range of products and services.


*1	LASIK
LASIK (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) is an eye surgery method to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea using laser equipment. This technique is being used worldwide since the surgery lasts just 10 to 20 minutes and causes almost no pain during the procedure.

*2	Femtosecond fiber laser
A pulsed laser that emits light only in pulses, with a pulse duration as short as a femtosecond (, 1 femtosecond = one quadrillionth of a second). The ultrashort pulse reduces the risk of tissue damage or deformation due to heat. In addition, the laser allows the treatment of internal areas without damaging the surface. Future applications include precision material processing, instrumentation, medical diagnosis and therapy, as well as telecommunications. IMRA America, Inc. is a research and development company leading the development of the most advanced technologies in this field.

*3	Flap cut technique
LASIK surgery consists of two primary steps:
1.	The initial cut of a corneal lamella called the “flap cut”
2.	Actual correction of the refractive error through an excimer laser being applied to the cornea
The “flap cut” procedure conventionally uses a knife called a microkeratome. The “VisuMax” system replaces it with the femtosecond laser developed by IMRA America, Inc.

Features of the flap cut procedure using the “VisuMax” system compared to conventional devices
1.	The femtosecond laser allows a non-thermal procedure minimizing degeneration of surrounding tissue.
2.	The “VisuMax” system reduces the risk of infectious disease as it involves no physical contact.
3.	The system provides an extremely precise flap cut.


Laser keratome eye surgery system VisuMax

Femtosecond fiber laser FCPA µJewel™