Corneal Laser Cut Geometry for Refractive Correction With Less Weakening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refractive laser surgery methods require deep incisions into the cornea, leading to significant weakening of the corneal tissue, which is not optimal for achieving desired optical effects while maintaining structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A surgical laser device with a computerized control system implements a primary tissue cut and a secondary tissue cut within the corneal tissue, where the secondary cut enhances the deformation effect of the primary cut, reducing the depth requirement and minimizing tissue weakening by distributing stress more evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If deep incisions (70%-90% cornea thickness) are implemented to achieve desired optical effects, then the refractive correction effect is improved, but the corneal tissue strength is severely weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single deep incision into multiple shallower incisions (first incision, second incision, third incision) that collectively achieve the desired refractive effect. Each incision penetrates less than 70% of the corneal thickness, but their combined effect produces the necessary corneal deformation for astigmatism correction while preserving structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different incision depths and orientations at different locations within the cornea. The incisions are strategically positioned and angled to create localized stress relief zones that collectively achieve the desired optical effect without uniformly weakening the entire corneal structure
2Force
If deep incisions are made to achieve sufficient stress relief effect, then the deformation effect is improved, but the number of incisions required increases, complicating the surgical procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple incisions of moderate depth into a coordinated surgical pattern where the first, second, and third incisions work together to achieve cumulative stress relief. This merging approach distributes the total stress relief effect across several shallower cuts rather than requiring one or two extremely deep incisions, simplifying the surgical execution while maintaining effectiveness
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 allows for achieving desired optical effects with less corneal weakening, providing a flexible and adaptable method for various medical situations by reducing stress peaks and gradients, thus improving the surgical outcome.
Implementation Method 1
a surgical laser device for implementing tissue cuts
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an ophthalmological treatment apparatus for modifying a shape of a corneal surface of a human eye. The apparatus includes a surgical laser device for implementing tissue cuts. The apparatus further includes a computerized control device in operative coupling with the surgical laser device, the control device being designed to control the laser device to implement tissue cuts according to a cut geometry with a primary tissue cut and a secondary tissue cut, wherein the primary tissue cut is a relief cut and extends into the depth of the conical eye tissue, and wherein the secondary tissue cut lies within the conical eye tissue, such that the secondary tissue cut adds to the relieving effect of the primary tissue cut.