Effective Treatment Vector for Laser Refractive Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refractive correction methods, such as LASIK and PRK, do not fully eliminate high-order aberrations in the eye, limiting the potential improvement in visual acuity due to challenges in identifying suitable nomogram adjustments for customized treatments.
Innovation Solution
A holistic approach using an influence matrix to derive an effective treatment vector function based on prior eye treatments, incorporating pre- and post-treatment aberration data to improve the accuracy of refractive corrections, allowing for physician adjustments and nomogram inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard refractive correction methods (LASIK, PRK) are used, then standard vision errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) are corrected, but high-order aberrations remain and limit visual acuity improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by measuring post-treatment aberrations from prior eye treatments and using this information to derive an effective treatment vector function. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from actual treatment outcomes and adjust subsequent treatment plans, thereby improving the elimination of high-order aberrations while maintaining correction of standard vision errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by deriving an effective treatment vector function that accounts for complex couplings between multiple factors including pre-treatment aberrations, treatment settings, and post-treatment outcomes. This multivariate approach adjusts treatment parameters dynamically based on measured data, enabling simultaneous correction of standard refractive errors and reduction of high-order aberrations.
2Measurement precision
If customized ablation procedures are implemented to address high-order aberrations, then visual acuity may improve, but challenges in identifying suitable nomogram adjustments limit the potential improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from measured post-treatment aberrations to derive an effective treatment vector function that automatically determines appropriate nomogram adjustments. This eliminates the complexity of manually identifying suitable adjustments by using measured data to guide treatment planning, thereby simplifying the process while improving visual acuity outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual nomogram adjustment selection with an automated computational system that derives treatment parameters from measured pre- and post-treatment aberration data. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with automated algorithms reduces treatment planning complexity while maintaining or improving visual acuity correction.
3Measurement precision
If multiple diagnostic tools (wavefront measurement systems, corneal topographers, OCT) are combined for customized treatments, then detailed information on high-order optical aberrations is obtained, but treatment accuracy is still limited by inability to fully account for complex couplings between factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges information from multiple diagnostic tools by integrating wavefront measurement data, corneal topography, and OCT measurements into a unified effective treatment vector function. This comprehensive integration accounts for complex couplings between different factors by treating them as interconnected variables in a multivariate analysis, thereby improving treatment accuracy while maintaining high diagnostic precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by using measured post-treatment aberrations to derive an effective treatment vector function that dynamically adjusts treatment parameters. This approach accounts for complex couplings between multiple diagnostic parameters by treating them as interrelated variables, enabling more accurate treatment planning that fully utilizes the detailed information from combined diagnostic tools.
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 method enhances the accuracy of refractive treatments by accounting for complex couplings between factors, leading to improved optical therapies and treatment planning, potentially reducing high-order aberrations and increasing overall visual acuity.
Implementation Method 1
the excimer laser is programmed to correct a visual defect by directing a beam of pulsed laser energy onto the exposed stroma. Each pulse removes a very small and precise amount of corneal tissue
Implementation Method 2
femtosecond laser systems have been developed to form laser incision in the corneal tissue so as to cut the corneal flap without use of a mechanical blade
Data Source
AI summary
Improved devices, systems, and methods for diagnosing, planning treatments of, and/or treating the refractive structures of an eye of a patient incorporate results of prior refractive corrections into a planned refractive treatment of a particular patient by driving an effective treatment vector function based on data from the prior eye treatments. The exemplary effective treatment vector employs an influence matrix which may allow improved refractive corrections to be generated so as to increase the overall accuracy of laser eye surgery (including LASIK, PRK, and the like), customized intraocular lenses (IOLs), refractive femtosecond treatments, and the like.