Corneal Flap Venting Channels to Prevent LASIK Opaque Bubble Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The generation of opaque bubble layers (OBL) during LASIK procedures hinders precise eye tracking, as gas accumulations from laser-induced optical breakdown in the cornea interfere with the eye tracker's ability to capture characteristic features, complicating the ablation process.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using pulsed laser radiation with a control device to create a corneal flap and auxiliary channels that extend from the hinge region to the eye surface, allowing for the removal of gases generated during the incision process, with the second auxiliary channel extending beyond the hinge region and forming a closed annular channel to enhance gas removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If focussed laser radiation is used to generate a corneal flap, then the corneal flap can be precisely created, but gas accumulations occur that form an opaque bubble layer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful gas accumulations from the corneal tissue by creating auxiliary channels that extend from the flap bed to the corneal surface. These channels provide a pathway for gases to escape during and after flap creation, preventing the formation of an opaque bubble layer that would interfere with eye tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary channels are created before the main flap bed incision. By pre-forming these gas escape pathways, the system ensures that gases generated during subsequent laser ablation can immediately escape through the pre-existing channels rather than accumulating in the corneal tissue.
2Productivity
If gas accumulations remain in the cornea during flap production, then the flap can be created, but eye tracking precision is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful gas accumulations are extracted from the corneal tissue through auxiliary channels that provide direct escape pathways to the corneal surface. This extraction prevents the opaque bubble layer from forming, thereby maintaining eye tracking precision throughout the procedure.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If auxiliary channels are created to remove gases, then OBL occurrence is reduced, but the incision figure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The incision figure is segmented into distinct functional components: the main flap bed incision and separate auxiliary channels. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the flap bed creates the corneal flap while the auxiliary channels specifically handle gas removal - thereby managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the incision figure have different qualities and functions. The auxiliary channels are specifically designed with particular geometries (extending beyond the hinge region, forming closed annular channels in some embodiments) optimized for gas removal, while the main flap bed is optimized for flap creation. This local differentiation allows each part to excel at its specific function.
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 effectively reduces the occurrence of OBL by facilitating the removal of gases during the incision process, ensuring clear eye tracking and precise control of the laser treatment, thereby improving the accuracy and completeness of the LASIK procedure.
Implementation Method 1
the physical effect of so-called laser-induced optical breakdown is used. The breakdown results in a photodisruption of the irradiated tissue in the region of the focus of the laser radiation.
Implementation Method 2
The interaction of the incident laser radiation with the irradiated corneal tissue causes local vaporization of the tissue in the focal point.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An apparatus for laser treatment of a human eye comprises a source of pulsed laser radiation, and a control device for controlling a focus of the laser radiation in space and time to generate an incision figure. The incision figure defines a corneal flap, a first auxiliary channel and a second auxiliary channel. The corneal flap is connected to adjoining corneal tissue in a hinge region, and has a flap underside parted-off from adjoining corneal tissue by a bed incision. The first auxiliary channel extends from the hinge region to an outer surface of the eye and is adapted to remove gases that develop during the generation of the bed incision. The second auxiliary channel extends along an edge of the bed incision, is connected to the first auxiliary channel, and extends beyond the hinge region. The control device is configured to generate the second auxiliary channel prior to the bed incision.