Corneal Femtosecond Beam Shaping for Faster Precision Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current femtosecond laser-based surgical techniques for cutting out corneas or lenses are slow and costly due to the need for high working frequencies and intricate beam displacement systems, with existing methods to increase speed often compromising on cutting quality or requiring complex optical systems that are difficult to standardize.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a femtosecond laser with phase modulation capabilities, employing a spatial light modulator to dynamically distribute the energy of the laser beam into multiple simultaneous impact points in the focal plane, allowing for controlled and efficient cutting by modulating the wave front of the laser beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the frequency of the laser is increased to optimize cutting-out time, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for suitable platens or scanners to increase beam displacement speed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single laser beam into multiple parallel beams, allowing simultaneous cutting at multiple locations. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high productivity without requiring complex high-speed displacement mechanisms, as the parallel beams can be generated and controlled more simply than accelerating a single beam at extremely high speeds.
2Productivity
If the spacing between laser impacts is increased to increase cutting speed, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By creating multiple parallel beams that cut simultaneously at different locations, the system achieves high productivity without increasing the spacing between impacts on each individual beam. Each beam maintains its original precise cutting capability while the overall cutting process speeds up due to parallel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from sequential cutting along a single beam path to parallel cutting across multiple beam paths. This dimensional change from one-dimensional sequential processing to multi-dimensional parallel processing allows simultaneous cutting at multiple points, increasing speed without sacrificing the precision of individual cut lines.
3Productivity
If beam subdivision technique is used to generate multiple cavitation bubbles simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to complex optical systems that are difficult to standardize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses beam splitting optics to divide the single laser beam into multiple parallel beams, each capable of generating cavitation bubbles simultaneously. This segmentation approach achieves the productivity improvement of simultaneous multi-point cutting while using relatively simple and standardizable optical components compared to more complex beam subdivision techniques.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces cutting time while maintaining or improving cutting quality, allowing for faster and more precise surgical operations with better surface quality and reduced endothelial mortality, and is compatible with existing displacement techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma is generated by non-linear ionization when the intensity of the laser exceeds a threshold value, called an optical breakdown threshold
Implementation Method 2
when the intensity of the laser exceeds a threshold value, called an optical breakdown threshold
Implementation Method 3
A cavitation bubble is then formed, generating a very localized perturbation of the surrounding tissues
Implementation Method 4
shaping means for modulating the phase of the wave front of the L.A.S.E.R. beam
Implementation Method 5
modulating the phase of the wave front of the laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A device for cutting human or animal tissue including a femtosecond laser that can emit a L.A.S.E.R. beam in the form of impulses. The device directs and focuses the beam onto or into the tissue for the cutting thereof. The device further includes and element to shape the L.A.S.E.R. beam, positioned in the trajectory of the beam, and to modulate the energy distribution of the L.A.S.E.R. beam in the focal plane thereof, corresponding to the cutting plane.