Apparatus and method for correcting corneal protrusion

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for correcting a corneal protrusion. The apparatus for correcting a corneal protrusion includes: a corneal measurement unit for obtaining corneal condition information by measuring a cornea; a plan generation unit for generating a corneal cutting plan on the basis of the corneal condition information; a control unit for transmitting a control signal to a cutting unit to perform corneal cutting according to the corneal cutting plan; and the cutting unit for performing corneal cutting according to the control signal received from the control unit, wherein the plan generation unit may identify corneal protrusion information related to a protruding cornea on the basis of the corneal condition information, generate protrusion cause information related to a cause of the protrusion of the protruding cornea, on the basis of the identified corneal protrusion information, and generate the corneal cutting plan according to the generated protrusion cause information.

Description

Corneal protrusion correction device and method

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for correcting corneal protrusion.

[0002] Specifically, the present invention relates to a corneal protrusion correction device and method that improves the shape of the cornea by removing the corneal protrusion using a laser and maintains the improved corneal shape to improve vision.

[0003]

[0004] In general, to correct a protruding cornea, techniques are used to lower the protrusion of the cornea that has been pushed out by intraocular pressure, cut the part of the cornea with a high curvature, or unconditionally cut the protrusion of the corneal surface.

[0005] At this time, the technique for lowering the protrusion of the cornea pushed out by intraocular pressure has the disadvantage of not being able to resolve the protruding area regardless of the intraocular pressure, and the technique for cutting the part of the cornea with a high curvature has the disadvantage of not being able to control the phenomenon of the cornea, which has become thin after corneal cutting, protruding again due to intraocular pressure.

[0006] Therefore, continuous research has been conducted on techniques to improve the shape of the cornea by removing corneal protrusions and then maintain the improved shape through intraocular pressure.

[0007]

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a corneal protrusion correction device and method that improves the shape of the cornea by removing the corneal protrusion using a laser and maintains the improved corneal shape to improve vision.

[0009] Specifically, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a corneal protrusion correction device and method capable of performing laser cutting optimized for a patient's eye by distinguishing the type of corneal protrusion and generating a corneal cutting plan for performing laser cutting according to the distinguished type.

[0010] The objectives of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above. Other objectives and advantages of the present invention not mentioned above can be understood through the following description and will be more clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objectives and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0011]

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a corneal protrusion correction device includes a corneal measuring unit that measures the cornea to obtain corneal condition information, a plan generating unit that generates a corneal cutting plan based on the corneal condition information, a control unit that transmits a control signal to the cutting unit so that corneal cutting according to the corneal cutting plan is performed, and a cutting unit that performs corneal cutting according to the control signal received from the control unit, wherein the plan generating unit can identify corneal protrusion information related to a protruding cornea based on the corneal condition information, generate protrusion cause information related to a cause of protrusion of the protruding cornea based on the identified corneal protrusion information, and generate the corneal cutting plan according to the generated protrusion cause information.

[0013] In addition, the plan generation unit can generate at least one of first protrusion cause information, which means that the protrusion cornea is generated due to the intraocular pressure of the patient, and second protrusion cause information, which means that the protrusion cornea is generated regardless of the intraocular pressure of the patient, as the protrusion cause information.

[0014] In addition, the plan generation unit can generate at least one of the first protrusion cause information and the second protrusion cause information based on the height information of the protruding cornea included in the corneal protrusion information.

[0015] In addition, the plan generation unit can generate the first protrusion cause information when the change in height of the inner surface and surface of the protruding cornea is equal to or greater than a first threshold value set in advance, and can generate the second protrusion cause information when the change in height of the inner surface of the protruding cornea is equal to or less than a second threshold value set in advance, and the change in height of the surface of the protruding cornea is equal to or greater than a third threshold value set in advance. That is, the case where the inner surface and surface of the cornea protrude simultaneously corresponds to the first protrusion cause information meaning that the protruding cornea is caused by the patient's intraocular pressure, and the case where the inner surface of the cornea does not protrude but only the surface protrudes corresponds to the second protrusion cause information meaning that the protruding cornea is caused regardless of the patient's intraocular pressure.

[0016] In addition, when the plan generation unit generates first protrusion cause information for the protruding cornea, it can generate a first corneal cutting plan related to the central symmetry thickness deviation of the cornea as the corneal cutting plan.

[0017] The above first cutting plan may include a first-first cutting plan that cuts a thickness deviation symmetrically about the center of the cornea and a first-second cutting plan that lowers the corneal curvature to offset the increased corneal curvature as a result of the first-first cutting plan.

[0018] In addition, when the plan generation unit generates second protrusion cause information for the protruding cornea, it can generate a second cutting plan for cutting an area of ​​the patient's cornea that includes the protruding cornea as the corneal cutting plan.

[0019] Additionally, the second cutting plan may include a cutting plan related to the surface of the protruding cornea.

[0020] Additionally, the second cutting plan may include cutting the protruding corneal surface relative to the cornea according to a predetermined best fit sphere.

[0021] In addition, if the protruding cornea includes a first protruding cornea and a second protruding cornea, and the plan generation unit generates the first protrusion cause information for the first protruding cornea and generates the second protrusion cause information for the second protruding cornea, the plan generation unit generates a third corneal cutting plan, which includes a first corneal cutting plan related to a central symmetry thickness deviation of the cornea in the patient's cornea and a second cutting plan related to cutting the protruding cornea according to a predetermined optimal sphere, as the corneal cutting plan, wherein in the third corneal cutting plan, the second cutting plan may precede the first cutting plan in time series.

[0022]

[0023] A corneal protrusion correction device according to some embodiments of the present invention can create a corneal ablation plan that improves the shape of the cornea by removing corneal protrusion with a laser and maintains the improved corneal shape to improve vision.

[0024] In addition, the corneal protrusion correction device according to some embodiments of the present invention can perform laser cutting optimized for the patient's eye by distinguishing the type of corneal protrusion and generating a corneal cutting plan to perform laser cutting according to the distinguished type.

[0025] Through this, the corneal protrusion correction device according to some embodiments of the present invention can remove both protrusions unrelated to intraocular pressure and protrusions related to intraocular pressure, and can achieve a result in which the shape of the cornea is improved to a central symmetry and then maintained. This correction result has the effect of eliminating and maintaining the higher-order aberrations (irregular astigmatism) of the cornea that occurred due to the corneal protrusion, and this effect corresponds to the "effect of maintaining the correction of higher-order aberrations" that conventional customized vision correction surgery failed to achieve.

[0026] In addition to the above-described contents, the specific effects of the present invention are described together with the specific matters for carrying out the invention below.

[0027]

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a corneal protrusion correction device according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a plan generation unit according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] Figures 3a to 3c are drawings for explaining a comparison between a normal cornea and a protruding cornea.

[0031] FIGS. 4A to 4C are drawings illustrating a first cutting plan according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] FIGS. 5A and 5B are drawings illustrating a second cutting plan according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for generating a third corneal cutting plan according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0034]

[0035] The terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted based on their general or dictionary meanings. In accordance with the principle that inventors can define the concepts of terms and words to best describe their inventions, they should be interpreted in a way that is consistent with the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations depicted in the drawings are merely examples of how the present invention can be realized and do not fully represent the technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents, modifications, and applicable examples may exist as of the time of filing.

[0036] The terms first, second, A, B, etc. used in this specification and claims may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component could be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component could also be referred to as the first component. The term "and / or" includes any combination of multiple related listed items or any item among multiple related listed items.

[0037] The terminology used in this specification and claims is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should be understood that terms such as "comprise" or "have" in this application do not preclude the presence or addition of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0039] Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings within the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein. Furthermore, each component, process, procedure, or method included in each embodiment of the present invention may be shared within the scope of non-contradictory technical aspects.

[0040] Hereinafter, a corneal protrusion correction device and method according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0041]

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates a corneal protrusion correction device according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, a corneal protrusion correction device (1) is a system for correcting the protrusion of the cornea (Cornea, hereinafter referred to as “C”) of a patient’s eye, and may include a corneal measurement unit (100), a plan generation unit (200), a control unit (300), and a cutting unit (400).

[0044] The corneal measurement unit (100) can collect corneal status data (Cornea Status Data, hereinafter referred to as "CSD") from the patient's cornea (C). In other words, the corneal measurement unit (100) can obtain corneal status data (CSD) of the patient through the patient's cornea (C).

[0045] In some examples, the corneal measurement unit (100) may generate corneal condition information (CSD) using a previously known corneal condition measurement device. For example, the corneal measurement unit (100) may generate corneal condition information (CSD) using a scanner or the like designed to measure the condition of a patient's cornea (C). However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0046] Corneal state data (CSD) may include a corneal height map and a corneal thickness map. The corneal height map may include information about the height of the cornea at each coordinate (height information), and the corneal thickness map may include information about the thickness of the cornea at each coordinate (thickness information). Furthermore, the corneal thickness map may include information about central thickness deviation.

[0047] The corneal measurement unit (100) can transmit the generated corneal condition information (CSD) to the plan generation unit (200).

[0048] The plan generation unit (200) can generate a corneal cutting plan (Cornea Cutting Plan, hereinafter referred to as “CCP”) based on corneal state information (CSD).

[0049] As some examples, the plan generation unit (200) can identify corneal protrusion information based on corneal state information (CSD), generate protrusion cause information based on the identified corneal protrusion information, and generate a corneal cutting plan based on the protrusion cause information.

[0050] Specifically, first, the plan generation unit (200) can determine corneal protrusion information based on corneal state information (CSD). For example, the plan generation unit (200) can detect a protruding cornea from a corneal height map included in the corneal state information (CSD), and determine coordinate information, height information, etc. of the protruding cornea as corneal protrusion information.

[0051] Next, the plan generation unit (200) can generate protrusion cause information based on the identified corneal protrusion information. For example, the plan generation unit (200) can identify the protrusion cause information based on whether the corneal protrusion information is related to the patient's intraocular pressure. In other words, the plan generation unit (200) can generate, as the protrusion cause information, first protrusion cause information meaning that the protrusion cornea is caused by the patient's intraocular pressure, second protrusion cause information meaning that the protrusion cornea is caused regardless of the patient's intraocular pressure, etc. At this time, the plan generation unit (200) can generate the first protrusion cause information, the second protrusion cause information, etc. based on the height information of the protrusion cornea included in the corneal protrusion information. For example, if both the inner surface and the surface of the cornea are protruded in the height information of the protrusion cornea included in the corneal protrusion information, the plan generation unit (200) can determine that the protrusion cornea is caused by the patient's intraocular pressure and generate the first protrusion cause information. As another example, the plan generation unit (200) may determine that a protruding cornea has occurred regardless of the patient's intraocular pressure when only the surface of the cornea protrudes in the height information of the protruding cornea included in the corneal protrusion information, and may generate second protrusion cause information. In other words, the plan generation unit (200) may generate the first protrusion cause information when the height change of the inner surface and the surface of the protruding cornea is equal to or greater than a first predetermined threshold, and may generate the second protrusion cause information when the height change of the inner surface of the protruding cornea is equal to or less than a second predetermined threshold, and the height change of the surface of the protruding cornea is equal to or greater than a third predetermined threshold. At this time, the height change may mean a change when compared with a predefined standard. In other words, the height change may include a difference value between the predefined standard and the height information of the protruding cornea in the corneal protrusion information. At this time, as an example, the predetermined standard may include a past corneal height of the patient or a statistical value of the corneal height of multiple patients.As another example, the given criterion may include a predefined sphere, such as the optimal sphere of the eye.

[0052]

[0053] Next, the plan generation unit (200) can generate a corneal cutting plan (CCP) according to the protrusion cause information. In other words, when the plan generation unit (200) generates the first protrusion cause information, it can generate a first cutting plan (CCP1) according to it, and conversely, when the plan generation unit (200) generates the second protrusion cause information, it can generate a second cutting plan (CCP2) according to it. For example, the first cutting plan (CCP1) may mainly include cutting of an area that does not include a protruding corneal area of ​​the patient's cornea (C). For example, the first cutting plan (CCP1) is related to a centrally symmetrical thickness deviation of the protruding cornea of ​​the patient's cornea (C), and may include a 1-1 cutting plan that centrally symmetrically cuts the corneal thickness deviation to lower the protrusion of the patient's cornea (C), and a 1-2 cutting plan that lowers the corneal curvature to offset the corneal curvature increased as a result of the 1-1 cutting plan. As another example, the second cutting plan (CCP2) relates to cutting an area including a protruding corneal area of ​​the patient's cornea (C), and may mean directly cutting the corneal protrusion to match the surface of the protruding cornea with a predetermined best fit sphere. In addition, when the plan generation unit (200) generates both the first protrusion cause information and the second protrusion cause information, it may generate a third corneal cutting plan (CCP3) accordingly. That is, when the patient's cornea (C) includes a plurality of protruding corneas (e.g., the first protruding cornea, the second protruding cornea), and the first protrusion cause information is generated for one of the protruding corneas (e.g., the first protruding cornea) and the second protrusion cause information is generated for the other one (e.g., the second protruding cornea), the plan generation unit (200) may generate a third cutting plan (CCP3) for removing the plurality of protruding corneas. At this time, the generation of the third cutting plan (CCP3) may include both the first cutting plan (CCP1) and the second cutting plan (CCP3).At this time, in the third cutting plan (CCP3), a method may be used in which the second cutting plan (CCP2) is first established, and then the corneal thickness information that will change when the established second cutting plan (CCP2) is virtually executed is predicted, and then the first cutting plan (CCP1) is established based on this. In other words, in the third cutting plan (CCP3), the second cutting plan (CCP3) may be generated in time series, and then the first cutting plan (CCP1) may be generated.

[0054]

[0055] The plan generation unit (200) can transmit the generated corneal cutting plan (CCP) to the control unit (300).

[0056] The control unit (300) can generate a control signal (hereinafter referred to as "CS") for performing corneal cutting according to a corneal cutting plan (CCP). In other words, when a corneal cutting plan (CCP) is received, the control unit (300) can generate a control signal (CS) for performing corneal cutting by the cutting unit (400) according to the corneal cutting plan (CCP).

[0057] The control unit (300) can transmit the generated control signal (CS) to the cutting unit (400).

[0058] The cutting unit (400) can perform corneal cutting according to a control signal (CS). In other words, when the control signal (CS) is received, the cutting unit (400) can perform corneal protrusion correction on the cornea (C) of the patient's eye according to the control signal (CS). At this time, the cutting unit (400) may include a device such as a laser for cutting a portion of the cornea (C).

[0059] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, the operation of the plan generation unit (200) according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0060]

[0061] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a plan generation unit according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plan generation unit (200) can generate a corneal cutting plan (CCP) based on corneal state information (CSD).

[0063] Specifically, the plan generation unit (200) may include a corneal protrusion information identification module (210), a protrusion cause information generation module (220), and a corneal cutting plan generation module (230).

[0064] The corneal protrusion information acquisition module (210) can acquire corneal protrusion information (PD) based on corneal state information (CSD). At this time, as described above, the corneal state information (CSD) may include a corneal height map and a corneal thickness map. The corneal height map may include information (height information) regarding the height of the cornea for each coordinate of the cornea, and the corneal thickness map may include information (thickness information) regarding the thickness of the cornea for each coordinate. In addition, the corneal thickness map may include information regarding the central thickness deviation.

[0065] As an example, the corneal protrusion information acquisition module (210) can acquire corneal protrusion information (PD) based on a corneal height map included in corneal state information (CSD). In this case, the corneal height map can include information regarding the height of the cornea for each corneal coordinate.

[0066] For example, the corneal protrusion information identification module (210) can detect a protruding cornea from a corneal height map and identify coordinate information, height information, etc. of the protruding cornea as corneal protrusion information (PD).

[0067] At this time, the corneal protrusion information acquisition module (210) can generate corneal protrusion information (PD) from the corneal height map using a predefined vision program, etc.

[0068] The corneal protrusion information identification module (210) can transmit the generated corneal protrusion information (PD) to the protrusion cause information generation module (220).

[0069] The protrusion cause information generation module (220) can generate protrusion cause information (CD) based on corneal protrusion information (PD).

[0070]

[0071] *As some examples, the protrusion cause information generation module (220) can generate protrusion cause information (CD) based on whether there is a correlation between the protrusion of the cornea in the corneal protrusion information (PD) and the intraocular pressure of the patient.

[0072] For example, the protrusion cause information generation module (220) can generate first protrusion cause information (CD1) when it is determined that the protrusion of the cornea is caused by the patient's intraocular pressure, and conversely, when it is determined that the protrusion of the cornea is caused regardless of the patient's intraocular pressure, it can generate second protrusion cause information (CD2), etc.

[0073] At this time, the protrusion cause information generation module (220) can generate first protrusion cause information (CD1) and second protrusion cause information (CD2) based on the height information of the protrusion cornea included in the corneal protrusion information (PD).

[0074] For example, the protrusion cause information generation module (220) can determine that the protrusion cornea is caused by the patient's intraocular pressure when both the inner surface and the surface of the cornea are protruded from the height information of the protrusion cornea included in the corneal protrusion information (PD), and can generate the first protrusion cause information (CD1). In other words, the protrusion cause information generation module (220) can generate the first protrusion cause information (CD1) when the change in the height of the inner surface and the surface of the protrusion cornea is greater than or equal to a first threshold value set in advance.

[0075] As another example, the protrusion cause information generation module (220) can determine that a protruding cornea has occurred regardless of the patient's intraocular pressure when only the surface of the cornea protrudes from the height information of the protruding cornea included in the corneal protrusion information (PD), and can generate the second protrusion cause information (CD2). In other words, the protrusion cause information generation module (220) can generate the second protrusion cause information (CD2) when the change in the height of the inner surface of the protruding cornea is less than or equal to a second predetermined threshold and the change in the height of the surface of the protruding cornea is greater than or equal to a third predetermined threshold.

[0076] At this time, the height change that can be used when generating the first protrusion cause information (CD1) and the second protrusion cause information (CD2) may refer to a change compared to a predefined standard. In other words, the height change may include a difference value between the predefined standard and the height information of the protruding cornea in the corneal protrusion information. At this time, as an example, the predetermined standard may include a statistical value of the patient's past corneal height or the corneal height of multiple patients. As another example, the predetermined standard may include a predefined sphere, such as an optimal sphere of the eye.

[0077] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3a to 3c, the principle by which the protrusion cause information generation module (220) generates the first protrusion cause information (CD1) and the second protrusion cause information (CD2) will be described in more detail.

[0078]

[0079] Figures 3a to 3c are diagrams for comparing and explaining a normal cornea and a protruding cornea. Specifically, Figure 3a illustrates a normal cornea, Figure 3b illustrates a case in which a protruding cornea occurs due to a patient's intraocular pressure, and Figure 3c illustrates a case in which a protruding cornea occurs regardless of the patient's intraocular pressure.

[0080] First, referring to Fig. 3a, Fig. 3a illustrates a cornea (C) in a normal state in which no corneal protrusion exists. At this time, Fig. 3a illustrates that the central portion of the cornea (C) is primarily subject to intraocular pressure (IOP), and accordingly, both the inner surface (C_IN) and the surface (C_OUT) of the cornea (C) are naturally elevated compared to other areas, forming a thick cornea.

[0081] That is, as shown in Figure 3a, a normal cornea has no corneal distortion in the thick peripheral area and firmly supports the thin central area like a pillar, and the central area with thin corneal thickness has a form in which intraocular pressure is concentrated, pushing the central area of ​​the cornea from the inside out and creating a posterior corneal cone, so there is no distortion in the path of light focused on the retina from the point of gaze.

[0082] In comparison, referring to Fig. 3b, Fig. 3b illustrates a case in which a trusive cornea (hereinafter referred to as "TR") has occurred due to the patient's intraocular pressure. That is, Fig. 3b illustrates a case in which the thickness (hereinafter referred to as "TH") of the right region of the cornea (C) has become very thin, and accordingly, the region is pushed by the intraocular pressure (IOP), resulting in a trusive cornea (TR) in which the corneal region is elevated.

[0083] That is, the protruding cornea (TR) illustrated in Figure 3b can be seen as being caused by the principle that the area is pushed by the intraocular pressure (IOP) because the corneal thickness (TH) is thin, and accordingly, both the inner surface (C_IN) and the surface (C_OUT) of the cornea (C) are pushed up (the corneal height of the inner surface (C_IN) and the surface (C_OUT) increases).

[0084] Therefore, at this time, the protrusion cause information generation module (220 in FIG. 2) can identify the cause of the protruding cornea (TR) based on the height information of the protruding cornea (TR). That is, the protrusion cause information generation module (220 in FIG. 2) determines that the protruding cornea (TR) is caused by the patient's intraocular pressure since both the height of the inner surface (C_IN) and the height of the surface (C_OUT) of the protruding cornea (TR) are increased, and can generate the first protrusion cause information (CD1 in FIG. 2) indicating this.

[0085] In comparison, referring to Fig. 3c, Fig. 3c illustrates a case in which a protruding cornea (TR) occurs regardless of the patient's intraocular pressure. That is, Fig. 3c illustrates that a protruding cornea (TR) occurs in the left region of the cornea (C), and in this case, in the protruding cornea (TR), the inner surface (C_IN) of the cornea (C) is not pushed up, whereas only the surface (C_OUT) protrudes.

[0086] That is, if the protruding cornea (TR) is caused by the patient's intraocular pressure, not only the surface (C_OUT) but also the inner surface (C_IN) will be pushed up, so the situation in Fig. 3c can be seen as the occurrence of the protruding cornea (TR) regardless of the patient's intraocular pressure.

[0087] Accordingly, it can be seen that the thickness (TH) of the protruding cornea (TR) is rather thicker when the protruding cornea (TR) occurs regardless of the patient's intraocular pressure.

[0088] Accordingly, the protrusion cause information generation module (220 in FIG. 2) can identify the cause of the protruding cornea (TR) based on the height information of the protruding cornea (TR) in the above manner. That is, the protrusion cause information generation module (220 in FIG. 2) determines that the protruding cornea (TR) occurred regardless of the patient's intraocular pressure because the height of the inner surface (C_IN) of the protruding cornea (TR) did not increase, but the height of the surface (C_OUT) increased, and can generate second protrusion cause information (CD2 in FIG. 2) indicating this.

[0089] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the protrusion cause information generation module (220) can generate first protrusion cause information (CD1) and second protrusion cause information (CD2) based on the height information of the protrusion cornea included in the corneal protrusion information (PD) according to the aforementioned principle.

[0090]

[0091] Meanwhile, the protrusion cause information generation module (220) that has identified the information on the cause of protrusion using the above method can transmit the generated protrusion cause information (CD) to the corneal cutting plan generation module (230).

[0092]

[0093] The corneal cutting plan generation module (230) can generate a corneal cutting plan (CCP) based on the cause of protrusion information (CD).

[0094] As some examples, the corneal cutting plan generation module (230) can generate a first cutting plan (CCP1) when receiving first protrusion cause information (CD1), and conversely, can generate a second cutting plan (CCP2) when receiving second protrusion cause information (CD2).

[0095] The first cutting plan (CCP1) may include a cutting plan that removes protruding cornea by cutting the thickness deviation of the cornea (C) of the patient's eye in a centrally symmetrical manner. In other words, the first cutting plan (CCP1) may be related to the centrally symmetric thickness deviation of the cornea (C).

[0096] As some examples, the first cutting plan (CCP1) may include a 1-1 cutting plan that cuts the thickness deviation centrally symmetrically with respect to the patient's cornea (C) and a 1-2 cutting plan that lowers the corneal curvature to compensate for the increased corneal curvature resulting from the 1-1 cutting plan.

[0097] Hereinafter, the first cutting plan (CCP1) will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4a to 4c.

[0098]

[0099] FIGS. 4A to 4C are drawings illustrating a first cutting plan according to some embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 4A is a drawing illustrating a 1-1 cutting plan, FIG. 4B is a drawing illustrating a 1-2 cutting plan, and FIG. 4C illustrates a cornea in which a first cutting plan including a 1-1 cutting plan and a 1-2 cutting plan has been virtually performed.

[0100] First, referring to FIG. 4a, the first cutting plan (CCP1) may include a first-first cutting plan related to cutting the thickness deviation in a centrally symmetrical manner with respect to the patient's cornea (C).

[0101] In Fig. 4a, a protruding cornea (TR) is formed in the right area (P2) as an example, and the 1-1 cutting plan is shown as a plan for cutting other areas (P1, O) to resolve the center symmetry thickness deviation, but it is obvious that the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0102] That is, FIG. 4a illustrates a process of determining a 1-1 cutting area (CR1-1) to resolve the central symmetry thickness deviation caused by the protruding cornea (TR) formed on the right side as a 1-1 cutting plan. At this time, when determining the 1-1 cutting area (CR1-1), a corneal thickness map included in the corneal condition information (CSD of FIGS. 1 and 2) may be used. In other words, as described above, the corneal thickness map may include information on the thickness of each coordinate of the cornea (thickness information), for example, information on the central thickness deviation, and the corneal cutting plan generation module (230 of FIG. 2) may determine the 1-1 cutting area (CR1-1) using the information on the central thickness deviation.

[0103]

[0104] Next, referring to FIG. 4b, the first cutting plan (CCP1) may include a first-second cutting plan, which is a cutting plan that lowers the corneal curvature in order to offset the increased corneal curvature as a result of the first-first cutting plan, in the patient's cornea (C).

[0105] That is, as a result of the 1-1 cutting plan that resolves the central symmetry thickness deviation of the cornea (C), the curvature of the cornea (C) may increase, and in this case, the 1-2 cutting plan may be a cutting plan that lowers the corneal curvature to offset the increased corneal curvature.

[0106] In other words, Fig. 4b illustrates a process of determining a first-second cutting area (CR1-2) to reduce corneal curvature as a first-second cutting plan.

[0107] Next, referring to FIG. 4C, FIG. 4C illustrates an example of a cornea on which the first cutting plan (CCP1) has been performed. In other words, FIG. 4C illustrates an example of a cornea on which the aforementioned 1-1 cutting plan and 1-2 cutting plan have been performed. In other words, FIG. 4C illustrates a hypothetical result of performing the first cutting plan (CCP1) on a cornea corresponding to the first protrusion cause information (CD1 of FIG. 2).

[0108]

[0109] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the second cutting plan (CCP2) may relate to cutting an area of ​​the patient's cornea (C) where a protruding cornea has formed.

[0110] At this time, the second cutting plan (CCP2) may be a cutting plan for the surface of the protruding cornea.

[0111] For example, the second cutting plan (CCP2) may include cutting the surface of the protruding cornea according to a predetermined best fit sphere.

[0112] Hereinafter, the second cutting plan (CCP2) will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b.

[0113] FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a second cutting plan according to some embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 5A conceptually illustrates a second cutting plan for performing corneal cutting according to a best-fit sphere (hereinafter referred to as "BFS"), and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the best-fit sphere (BFS).

[0114] Referring to FIGS. 5a and 5b, the second cutting plan (CCP2) may be related to cutting an area where a protruding cornea (TR) is formed in the patient's cornea (C).

[0115] As an example, the second cutting plan (CCP2) may be a cutting plan for the surface (C_OUT).

[0116] For example, the second cutting plan (CCP2) may include cutting the surface (C_OUT) of the protruding cornea (TR) according to a predetermined best-fit sphere (BFS).

[0117] The best-fit sphere (BFS) is defined as a virtual sphere that matches the entire surface height (elevation) of the cornea (C) as closely as possible. Figure 5b shows arrows indicating deviations where the cornea (C) is higher than the best-fit sphere (BFS) and deviations where the cornea (C) is lower than the best-fit sphere (BFS). At this time, the sum of the squares of deviations where the cornea (C) is higher than the best-fit sphere (BFS) is almost identical to the sum of the squares of deviations where the cornea (C) is lower than the best-fit sphere (BFS). Therefore, the sum of the deviations of the corneal surface that deviate from the best-fit sphere (BFS), which is a virtual sphere, can be minimized.

[0118] At this time, the mathematical calculation for the best fit sphere (BFS) can be possible through a mathematical method such as that described in Corneal Elevation Topography: Best Fit Sphere, Elevation Distance, Asphericity, Toricity, and Clinical Implications, Cornea: May 2011 - Volume 30 - Issue 5 - p 508-515 by doi: 10.1097 / ICO.0b013e3181fb4fa7, by Gatinel, Damien MD, PhD; Malet, Jacques PhD; Hoang-Xuan, Thanh MD; Azar, Dimitri T MD.

[0119] At this time, the second cutting plan (CCP2) may include cutting the surface (C_OUT) of the protruding cornea (TR) to fit the best spherical surface (BFS).

[0120]

[0121] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2 , as another example, the corneal cutting plan generation module (230) can generate a third corneal cutting plan (CCP3).

[0122] The corneal cutting plan generation module (230) can generate a third corneal cutting plan (CCP3) when both a protruding cornea caused by intraocular pressure and a protruding cornea caused regardless of intraocular pressure are formed on the cornea (C) of the patient's eye.

[0123] That is, when the corneal cutting plan generation module (230) receives both the first protrusion cause information (CD1) and the second protrusion cause information (CD2), it can generate the third corneal cutting plan (CCP3). In other words, as described above, the cornea (C) of the patient's eye includes a plurality of protruding corneas, and accordingly, the corneal protrusion information identification module (210) generates corneal protrusion information (PD) corresponding to each protruding cornea, and further, the protrusion cause information generation module (220) generates protrusion cause information (CD) for each corneal protrusion information (PD), and at this time, when the plurality of protrusion cause information (CD) includes both the first protrusion cause information (CD1) and the second protrusion cause information (CD2), the corneal cutting plan generation module (230) can generate the third corneal cutting plan (CCP3).

[0124] For example, the third corneal cutting plan (CCP3) may include both the first cutting plan (CCP1) and the second cutting plan (CCP2). In addition, as a method for establishing the third corneal cutting plan (CCP3), a method may be used in which the second cutting plan (CCP2) is first established and virtually executed, and then the virtual result data generated thereby is reported as corneal condition information to establish the first cutting plan (CCP1). In other words, the third corneal cutting plan (CCP3) may include a process of generating a virtual result by reflecting the execution result of the second cutting plan (CCP2) into corneal condition information, and generating the first corneal cutting plan (CCP1) based on the generated virtual result. In this case, that is, in the third corneal cutting plan (CCP3), the second cutting plan (CCP2) may precede the first cutting plan (CCP1) in time series.

[0125] Hereinafter, the process of generating the third cutting plan (CCP3) will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.

[0126]

[0127] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for generating a third corneal cutting plan according to some embodiments of the present invention. Each step (S100 to S700) of FIG. 6 may be performed by the plan generation unit (200) of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0128] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, first, a second cutting plan based on an optimal sphere can be generated from corneal condition information (S100).

[0129] As an example, the plan generation unit (200) may generate a second cutting plan that virtually removes the corneal surface that is elevated beyond the optimal spherical surface of the cornea (C) from the corneal state information (CSD) of the patient's eye. At this time, the second cutting plan (CCP2) may be generated according to the method described above in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0130] Next, the second cutting plan can be reflected in the corneal condition information to generate the first corrected corneal condition information (S200). In other words, the first corrected corneal condition information can be generated by reflecting the virtual corneal condition information generated after virtually executing the second cutting plan.

[0131] As some examples, the plan generation unit (200) can generate the first modified corneal state information by modeling the second cutting plan (CCP2) based on the corneal state information (CSD).

[0132] For example, the plan generation unit (200) can generate the first corrected corneal state information through a modeling process that subtracts the corneal height virtually removed in the second cutting plan (CCP2) from the corneal state information (CSD).

[0133] Next, a first cutting plan can be generated based on the central symmetry thickness deviation in the first modified corneal condition information (S300).

[0134] As some examples, the plan generation unit (200) may identify a centrally symmetrical thickness deviation based on the first corrected corneal condition information for the cornea (C) of the patient's eye, and generate a first cutting plan for removing the identified centrally symmetrical thickness deviation. For example, the plan generation unit (200) may generate the first cutting plan (CCP1) according to the method described above with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C. At this time, a corneal thickness map included in the corneal condition information (CSD of FIGS. 1 and 2) may be used. In other words, the corneal thickness map may include information about the thickness of each coordinate of the cornea (thickness information), for example, information about the central thickness deviation, as described above, and the plan generation unit (200) may generate a first cutting plan for removing the centrally symmetrical thickness deviation using the information about the central thickness deviation.

[0135] Next, the first cutting plan can be reflected in the first modified corneal condition information to generate the second modified corneal condition information (S400).

[0136] As some examples, the plan generation unit (200) can generate second corrected corneal state information by modeling the first cutting plan (CCP1) based on the first corrected corneal state information.

[0137] For example, the plan generation unit (200) can generate second corrected corneal state information through a modeling process that subtracts the corneal height removed in the first cutting plan (CCP1) from the first corneal state information.

[0138] Next, corneal refractive power can be predicted from the second modified corneal state information (S500). As some examples, the plan generation unit (200) can predict refractive power from the second modified corneal state information using a predefined vision up program, etc.

[0139] Next, a correction cutting plan capable of correcting the predicted corneal refractive power can be generated (S600).

[0140] A corrective cutting plan may involve adjusting cutting parameters in at least one of the first cutting plan and the second cutting plan. In other words, a corrective cutting plan may involve adjusting cutting parameters (e.g., cutting depth, cutting position, cutting direction, etc.) in at least one of the first cutting plan and the second cutting plan, if it is necessary to correct the refractive power predicted from the second modified corneal state information.

[0141] Next, a third cutting plan can be determined based on the second cutting plan, the first cutting plan, and the compensation cutting plan (S700).

[0142] As an example, the plan generation unit (200) may generate a second cutting plan that reflects the correction cutting plan and a third cutting plan based on the first cutting plan. In this case, in the third cutting plan, the second cutting plan may be performed chronologically prior to the first cutting plan.

[0143] At this time, some of the steps (S600) described above may be omitted and implemented. That is, in the present invention, the step (S600) of generating a correction cutting plan may be omitted, and at this time, the step (S700) of generating a third cutting plan may determine a combination of the second cutting plan and the first cutting plan as the third cutting plan.

[0144] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Therefore, the present embodiments are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment, but rather to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present embodiment should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the present embodiment.

Claims

1. A corneal measurement unit that measures the cornea to obtain corneal condition information; A plan generation unit for generating a corneal cutting plan based on the corneal condition information; A control unit that transmits a control signal to a cutting unit so that corneal cutting is performed according to the above corneal cutting plan; and Including a cutting unit that performs corneal cutting according to the control signal received from the control unit, The above plan generation section, Based on the above corneal condition information, corneal protrusion information related to the protruding cornea is identified, Based on the identified corneal protrusion information, protrusion cause information related to the cause of the protruding cornea is generated, Generating the corneal cutting plan based on the above generated protrusion cause information. Corneal protrusion correction device.

2. In paragraph 1, The above plan generation section, As the above protrusion cause information, at least one of the first protrusion cause information meaning that the protrusion cornea is caused by the patient's intraocular pressure and the second protrusion cause information meaning that the protrusion cornea is caused regardless of the patient's intraocular pressure is generated. Corneal protrusion correction device.

3. In paragraph 2, The above plan generation section, Generating at least one of the first protrusion cause information and the second protrusion cause information based on the height information of the protruding cornea included in the corneal protrusion information. Corneal protrusion correction device.

4. In paragraph 3, The above plan generation section, If the change in the height of the inner surface and surface of the protruding cornea is greater than a first threshold value set in advance, the first protrusion cause information is generated, When the change in height of the inner surface of the protruding cornea is less than or equal to a second threshold value and the change in height of the surface of the protruding cornea is greater than or equal to a third threshold value, the second protrusion cause information is generated. Corneal protrusion correction device.

5. In paragraph 2, The above plan generation section, If the first protrusion cause information is generated for the above protruding cornea, As the above corneal cutting plan, a first corneal cutting plan related to the central symmetry thickness deviation of the cornea is generated. Corneal protrusion correction device.

6. In paragraph 5, The above first cutting plan is, A first cutting plan for cutting the thickness deviation in a centrally symmetrical manner with respect to the cornea and a first cutting plan for lowering the corneal curvature to offset the increased corneal curvature as a result of the first cutting plan are included. Corneal protrusion correction device.

7. In paragraph 2, The above plan generation section, If the second protrusion cause information is generated for the above protruding cornea, As the above corneal cutting plan, a second cutting plan is generated for cutting an area of ​​the patient's cornea that includes the protruding cornea. Corneal protrusion correction device.

8. In paragraph 7, The above second cutting plan is, Including a cutting plan related to the surface of the above protruding cornea. Corneal protrusion correction device.

9. In paragraph 8, The above second cutting plan is, Including cutting the surface of the above protruding cornea according to a predetermined best fit sphere. Corneal protrusion correction device.

10. In paragraph 2, The above protruding cornea includes a first protruding cornea and a second protruding cornea, When the plan generation unit generates the first protrusion cause information for the first protrusion cornea and generates the second protrusion cause information for the second protrusion cornea, The above plan generation section, As the corneal cutting plan, a third corneal cutting plan is generated, which includes a first corneal cutting plan related to the central symmetry thickness deviation of the cornea of ​​the patient and a second cutting plan related to cutting the protruding cornea according to a predetermined optimal sphere. In the third corneal cutting plan, the second cutting plan precedes the first cutting plan in time series. Corneal protrusion correction device.

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