Dual-Beam Laser Lenticule Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ophthalmological devices for processing eye tissue with laser beams face challenges in efficiently cutting lenticules due to slow vertical movement of projection optics, resulting in deviations in cut thickness and refractive errors, especially when cutting at different depths, and require complex and costly setups for precise focus adjustments.

Innovation Solution

An ophthalmological device with a beam splitting system that generates a processing laser beam with two beam parts, allowing simultaneous focusing on both the upper and lower outer surfaces of a lenticule without adjusting the focusing optics, using a divergence modulator to achieve dual focus at different depths, thereby reducing processing time and errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If vertical movement of projection optics is used to adjust focus depth for cutting lenticules at different depths, then cutting precision is improved, but processing speed deteriorates significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The laser beam is segmented into multiple beam parts (first beam part and second beam part) that are focused at different depths simultaneously. This allows independent processing at multiple focal planes without mechanical movement, resolving the contradiction between precision and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from one-dimensional sequential focus adjustment (vertical movement) to multi-dimensional simultaneous focusing by creating multiple beam parts with different divergence, enabling parallel processing at different depths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If sequential sectioning of lower and upper surfaces is performed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelenticule thickness precisionVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The processing of lower and upper surfaces is merged into a single simultaneous operation using multiple beam parts. Both surfaces are sectioned in parallel during one scanning pass, eliminating the time loss from sequential processing while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The useful action of laser cutting is made continuous by processing both surfaces simultaneously without interruption or repositioning. The scanner system maintains continuous scanning while multiple beam parts continuously process different depths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If fast-scan lines are used for cutting, then processing speed is improved, but cut accuracy deteriorates due to deviation from desired surface curvature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting speedVSAvoidsurface curvature accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different beam parts are assigned to process different local regions (different depths) of the lenticule. Each beam part maintains the fast scanning capability while collectively achieving the desired surface curvature through coordinated processing at multiple focal planes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables faster and more precise cutting of lenticules by processing both surfaces simultaneously, reducing deviations in cut thickness and refractive errors, and simplifying the setup by maintaining a fixed focus and scanning system configuration.

Implementation Method 1

a laser source (11) configured to generate a pulsed laser beam (P), in particular femtosecond laser pulses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

a beam section system (12) positioned upstream of the scanner system (13) configured to generate the processing laser beam (L) with two beam parts (L1, L2), in particular with two beam bundles (L1*, L2*), having different divergences

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDivergence modulation:

Data Source

PatentEP3459509B1Ophthalmological device for treating eye tissue using a pulsed processing laser beam

Publication Date: 2023.06.07 ZIEMER OPHTHALMIC SYST

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AI summary

An ophthalmological device (1) for processing eye tissue (20) comprises a laser source (11) for generating a pulsed laser beam (P), a focusing optic (14) for focusing a processing laser beam (L) into the eye tissue (20) and a scanner system (13) for deflecting the processing laser beam (L) into the eye tissue (20).The ophthalmological device (1) also comprises a beam section system (12) which is positioned upstream of the scanner system (13) and which is configured to generate the processing laser beam (L) from the pulsed laser beam (P) in such a way that the processing laser beam (L) comprises two beam sections (L1, L2), wherein one of the beam sections (L1) is focused by the focusing optics (14) onto the lower outer surface (21u) of a lenticule (21) to be cut in the ocular tissue (20) and the other beam section (L2) is focused onto the upper outer surface (21o) of the lenticule (21) to be cut, so that when the processing laser beam (L) is deflected into the ocular tissue (20), both the lower and the upper outer surfaces (21u, 21o) are processed.