Corneal Topography Alignment Before Patient Interface Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser eye surgery systems face challenges in accurately aligning and cutting ocular tissues due to distortions caused by patient interfaces and pharmacological substances, leading to suboptimal incision placement and increased aberrations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that measure and align ocular tissues without contacting the eye initially, using pre-contact measurements to determine incision locations, and adjust for distortions introduced by patient interfaces and substances, ensuring accurate placement of laser incisions and intraocular lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a patient interface is used to contact and stabilize the eye during laser surgery, then the eye is held steady for treatment, but the patient interface introduces optical distortions that degrade measurement accuracy and incision precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs corneal topography measurements and determines optical structures (visual axis, pupillary axis, optical center) BEFORE the patient interface contacts the eye. This preliminary measurement captures the undistorted corneal geometry, allowing subsequent incision planning to be based on accurate pre-contact data while the eye is later stabilized with the distorting interface in place during treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or model of the pre-contact corneal topography and optical structures. This digital representation is then used to plan and guide laser incisions during surgery, allowing the surgical plan to be based on accurate undistorted measurements while the actual treatment occurs through the distorting patient interface
2Ease of operation
If pharmacological substances are applied to the eye during surgery, then the eye is prepared for the procedure, but the substances alter corneal shape and position leading to misalignment of surgical incisions
Solution Approach 1:
Corneal topography measurements are obtained before pharmacological substances (such as dilating drops or anesthetics) are applied to the eye. These pre-substance measurements capture the natural, undistorted corneal geometry, which is then used to plan surgical incisions. Even though the cornea changes shape after substance application, the surgical plan is based on the pre-substance measurements, ensuring accurate incision placement relative to the original optical structures
3Reliability
If the eye is measured after patient interface contact, then the measurement is taken in the actual surgical position, but the distortion from the interface degrades the quality of topography data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs corneal topography measurements in a preliminary state before the patient interface contacts the eye, when the cornea is in its natural, undistorted configuration. These pre-contact measurements provide high-quality topography data that is then used to plan surgical incisions. The system does not rely on post-contact measurements which would be degraded by interface distortion
4Stability of the object's composition
If traditional contact-based measurement methods are used, then the eye is stabilized during measurement, but the contact distorts the cornea and compromises measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical contact-based measurement methods with non-contact optical measurement techniques. Corneal topography is obtained using optical methods (such as Placido disc reflection or interferometry) that do not require physical contact with the cornea, thereby eliminating contact-induced distortion while maintaining eye stability through other means (such as fixation targets or mild suction without corneal deformation)
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
Improves the accuracy of laser incisions and intraocular lens placement, reducing distortions and aberrations, and enhancing surgical outcomes by aligning incisions with pre-operative optical structures.
Implementation Method 1
A topography measurement system measures a shape profile of a cornea of an eye
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are configures to measure an eye without contacting the eye with a patient interface, and these measurements are used to determine alignment and placement of the incisions when the patient interface contacts the eye. The pre-contact locations of one or more structures of the eye can be used to determine corresponding post-contact locations of the one or more optical structures of the eye when the patient interface has contacted the eye, such that the laser incisions are placed at locations that promote normal vision of the eye. The incisions are positioned in relation to the pre-contact optical structures of the eye, such as an astigmatic treatment axis, nodal points of the eye, and visual axis of the eye.