Corneal Laser Pulse Sequencing for Thermal Denaturation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye surgical lasers for corneal tissue removal risk denaturing the tissue due to rapid heating, which can lead to treatment complications and impaired healing, as collagen denatures at 40 degrees Celsius.
Innovation Solution
A method to optimize laser pulse sequences based on a temperature model of the cornea, ensuring the laser pulses are delivered in an order that avoids exceeding the denaturation temperature, using models for cooling and temperature distribution to plan the safest and fastest treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser pulses are delivered rapidly to shorten treatment duration, then productivity is improved, but temperature increases causing tissue denaturation
Solution Approach 1:
The control device calculates and determines the optimized laser pulse sequence before actual treatment begins. By pre-computing the sequence that accounts for thermal accumulation and cooling, the system ensures temperature limits are not exceeded while maintaining rapid treatment delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The laser pulse sequence is dynamically optimized based on real-time temperature modeling. The control device adjusts the timing and positioning of laser pulses adaptively, considering the thermal state of different corneal regions, allowing rapid treatment while preventing overheating
2Reliability
If laser pulses are delivered in optimized sequence to prevent denaturation, then tissue safety is improved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device changes the parameters of laser pulse delivery by optimizing the pulse sequence based on temperature modeling. This allows maintaining safety limits while minimizing treatment time through intelligent parameter optimization rather than conservative sequential delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces conservative mechanical timing with intelligent computational optimization. By using temperature models and algorithms to determine pulse sequencing, the system achieves both safety and speed without relying on simple fixed-time intervals or manual control
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 ensures compliance with maximum temperature limits, reduces treatment time, minimizes cooling breaks, and enhances patient comfort by optimizing the laser pulse sequence to prevent tissue denaturation.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature profile of the cornea is calculated by means of cumulated temperature distributions of the laser pulses in the temperature model
Implementation Method 2
each laser pulse heats the tissue and a limit temperature of the tissue, at which the tissue denatures, can be reached with a too fast treatment. For example, collagens begin to denature from 40 degrees Celsius
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for providing control data for an eye surgical laser of a treatment apparatus for the removal of tissue from a human or animal cornea. The method includes ascertaining a temperature distribution expected in the cornea per laser pulse, and determining, by using a temperature model of the cornea, a laser pulse sequence of a preset laser pulse distribution for removing the tissue. A respective laser pulse position in the cornea is preset by the laser pulse distribution and sequence. A temperature profile of the cornea is calculated by means of cumulated temperature distributions of the laser pulses in the temperature model and a difference profile to a preset limit temperature profile is determined. An order of the laser pulses is ascertained depending on the difference profile for determining the laser pulse sequence, and providing control data for controlling the laser pulse sequence for removing tissue.