Automated Auxiliary Light Beam Detection for Ophthalmic Laser Surgery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser surgical systems rely on human technicians for detecting issues with auxiliary light beams, which is slow and prone to human error, affecting the accuracy and precision of surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic laser system that includes a laser system, imaging system, and computer to automatically analyze digital images of actual test patterns compared to planned patterns, detecting deviations, and providing corrective commands to the auxiliary light and laser systems to ensure accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human technicians manually illuminate test planes and check illumination, then the system can detect problems with auxiliary light beams, but the detection process is slow and subject to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical inspection process with an automated digital imaging system. A digital camera captures images of the test plane, and computer software automatically analyzes the illumination pattern to detect deviations. This substitution eliminates human error and significantly reduces detection time while maintaining or improving detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically capturing and analyzing its own test pattern output. The digital imaging system and computer software work autonomously to detect illumination problems without requiring external human intervention, enabling the system to monitor and verify its own performance continuously.
2Productivity
If automated digital imaging and computer analysis are implemented, then detection speed and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital camera and imaging system serve multiple functions: they capture test patterns for analysis, provide visual records for documentation, and can potentially be used for other diagnostic purposes. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile capabilities that benefit overall system operation and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer software program as an intermediary between the digital camera and the human operator. The software automatically processes images, compares them against reference patterns, and generates diagnostic reports, thereby simplifying the user interface and reducing the complexity burden on the operator despite the increased hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, ophthalmic laser system includes an auxiliary light system, laser system, imaging system, and computer. The auxiliary light system directs auxiliary light towards a test target according to a planned test pattern to yield one or more actual auxiliary spots of an actual test pattern on the test target. The planned test pattern indicates one or more planned auxiliary spots located relative to a planned laser spot in a predetermined manner. The laser system directs a laser beam to yield an actual laser spot of the actual test pattern on the test target. The imaging system generates a digital image of the actual test pattern. The computer analyzes the digital image to compare the actual to the planned test pattern, detect a deviation of the actual from the planned test pattern, identify an issue indicated by the deviation, and provide output in response to the issue.