Encoder-Based Reconstruction of Ophthalmic Laser Cutting Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic surgical laser systems lack the capability to accurately reconstruct and analyze laser cutting patterns, leading to potential deviations due to motor following errors, which can affect the precision and efficacy of refractive procedures.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic surgical laser system equipped with encoders on moving components to measure actual motor positions, allowing for the digital reconstruction of laser cutting patterns by calculating reconstructed positions based on predefined scan patterns and actual motor data, and storing or displaying the reconstructed geometric representation of incisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If motor position data is not measured accurately, then the system is simpler, but the manufacturing precision of laser cutting patterns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement of laser focal spot position with an information-based approach: encoders on motors provide position data, which is then processed through coordinate transformation algorithms to reconstruct the laser cutting pattern. This substitutes complex mechanical position sensing with simpler motor encoders and computational methods, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If encoder data is collected and processed, then the measurement precision of laser focal spot position improves, but the loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs coordinate transformation calculations during the laser scanning process itself, using real-time encoder data from motors. By calculating reconstructed positions concurrently with the scanning operation rather than as a separate post-processing step, the system achieves high measurement precision without significant time loss, as the computational work is performed during the inevitable scanning duration.
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 precise reconstruction and analysis of laser cutting patterns, facilitating quality control, troubleshooting, and post-operative efficacy evaluation, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of refractive surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of motors including an associated encoder configured to measure a position or movement of the motor and to output data representing the measured position or movement
Implementation Method 2
the focal spot of the pulsed laser beam is delivered to the target eye tissue by an optical scanning system, where they interact with the eye tissue to form cavities (bubbles) in the tissue
Implementation Method 3
the focal spot of the pulsed laser beam is delivered to the target eye tissue by an optical scanning system, where they interact with the eye tissue to form cavities (bubbles) in the tissue
Implementation Method 4
By scanning the laser focal spot according to predefined scan patterns, the overlapping or closely adjacent bubbles form incisions (cuts) having defined two-dimensional shapes
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
An ophthalmic surgical laser system includes a laser beam delivery system having multiple moving components for scanning a laser focal spot in a target eye tissue, where the motors that actuate some of the moving components are equipped with respective digital encoders that measure actual motor positions. A controller controls the laser beam delivery system to perform a treatment scan, while recording the actual motor positions from the encoders. Using the actual motor positions and a calibration relationship between actual motor positions and delivered laser focal spot positions in a target tissue, a laser cutting pattern is digitally reconstructed, which represents the incisions actually achieved by the treatment scan. The reconstructed laser cutting pattern may be visually inspected and further analyzed, e.g. to compare it to the intended laser cutting pattern used to execute the treatment scan, to calculate the achieved refractive correction, or to simulate tissue resetting.