Corneal Flap Laser Cutting with Compensation Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
LASIK treatments for myopia often result in flap wrinkles due to mismatched arc length between the flap and the corneal bed after ablation, leading to visual impairments, and existing solutions require additional smoothing procedures.
Innovation Solution
A device using focused laser radiation with controllable components and a control program to create precise cuts in the cornea, including a tissue strip at the flap's peripheral edge, ensuring optimal fit and minimizing wrinkles by shortening the flap to match the corneal bed's post-ablative arc length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If focused laser radiation is used to prepare the flap and ablate the corneal bed, then precise material removal and flap creation are achieved, but the arc length mismatch causes flap wrinkles and visual impairments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and removing a compensation strip from the flap before the ablative treatment. The control program determines the required strip width based on the ablation profile, and the laser creates this strip in advance so that when the flap is repositioned, it fits perfectly into the shortened corneal bed without wrinkles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the strip width parameter based on the ablation profile. The control program calculates the specific strip width needed to compensate for the arc length reduction caused by ablation, and the laser system adjusts its cutting parameters to create the precisely sized compensation strip.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the flap is shortened to eliminate wrinkles, then visual outcomes are improved, but additional cutting steps and complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compensation strip creation with the existing flap preparation and ablation procedures. The control program integrates the strip width calculation into the ablation profile processing, and the laser system performs the strip cutting as part of the same treatment session, eliminating the need for separate surgical steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by automatically calculating the required strip width based on the ablation profile and executing the cutting without additional manual intervention. The control program determines the optimal strip dimensions and the laser system autonomously creates the compensation strip, reducing surgeon workload and procedural complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the compensation strip width is increased to ensure better fit, then flap positioning accuracy is improved, but excessive tissue removal and potential harm occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the ablation profile as input to calculate the precise strip width needed. The control program processes the ablation parameters and feedback information to determine the exact compensation required, ensuring that only the necessary amount of tissue is removed to achieve perfect flap fit without excessive loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a compensation strip with non-uniform width distribution. The strip is wider at certain locations and narrower at others, precisely matching the local arc length reductions caused by the ablation profile. This ensures optimal fit at each location while minimizing overall tissue removal.
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
The solution allows for a precise fit of the flap into the corneal bed, reducing or eliminating wrinkles and the need for additional smoothing procedures, thereby enhancing patient comfort and visual outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
To create cuts using focused laser radiation in transparent material (transparent to the laser radiation), the so-called laser-induced optical breakthrough is used as a physical effect. This leads to photodisruption of the irradiated tissue in the area of focus.
Implementation Method 2
These exposed tissue areas are then treated with an ablative treatment using focused UV laser radiation, i.e. corneal material is removed in accordance with an ablation profile determined individually for the patient.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for cutting the human cornea (45) using a focused laser beam comprising controllable components for adjusting the location of the beam focus, a control computer for controlling said components and a control program for the control computer. Said control program contains instructions that are designed to produce cuts (38, 40, 43) in the cornea according to a predetermined cutting pattern when said instructions are carried out by the control computer. Said cutting pattern defines a cornea bed (42), a flap (36) arranged on the bed (36) and at least one strip of cornea tissue (46) which extends along the flap edge in the region of the peripheral edge of the flap between the bed and the flap. Once the flap is folded away, said tissue strip can be removed and the flap (36) can be folded back onto the surface of the bed (42) in a fold-free, post-ablative manner. The visual damage to microstrips can also be avoided.