Eye Alignment Pattern Detection for Perpendicular Corneal Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic procedures, such as laser ablation, face challenges in achieving precise perpendicular alignment of the cornea with the laser device, leading to uneven ablation due to subjective surgeon reliance on light reflection and inability to adjust for patient movement or non-central alignment points.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an illuminator, camera, and computer analyzes an alignment pattern reflected from the eye to determine perpendicular alignment, providing objective feedback on misalignment and guiding corrections, with the ability to pause procedures if misalignment exceeds safe limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the surgeon relies on subjective assessment of light reflection to align the eye, then the procedure can be performed with simple equipment, but the alignment precision deteriorates leading to uneven ablation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic feedback by capturing images of the alignment pattern reflected from the cornea, analyzing the reflection geometry comput, and providing real-time alignment status to the surgeon. This closed-loop feedback mechanism transforms subjective visual assessment into objective quantitative measurement, resolving the contradiction between precision and simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
An alignment pattern serves as an intermediary element between the light source and the cornea. This pattern provides known geometric references that enable precise measurement of corneal alignment through reflection analysis, eliminating the need for direct subjective assessment while maintaining system simplicity.
2Reliability
If the alignment pattern is directed at multiple rotated positions, then the measurement reliability improves through comprehensive sampling, but the procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs alignment measurements at multiple rotated positions (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) to comprehensively sample the corneal surface geometry. This excessive sampling beyond the minimum single-position measurement ensures higher reliability by accounting for corneal irregularities and astigmatism, with the computational analysis efficiently processing all positions to maintain reasonable procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment pattern is pre-configured with known geometric features and rotated to multiple predetermined positions before the actual ablation procedure. This preliminary alignment characterization allows the system to establish a complete geometric model of the cornea in advance, ensuring measurement reliability while separating the alignment assessment phase from the treatment phase to minimize procedure time loss.
3Manufacturing precision
If the system provides real-time alignment monitoring and pause capability, then the manufacturing precision of the ablation improves, but the device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-monitoring by automatically capturing images, analyzing alignment data, and determining whether to pause the procedure without requiring continuous manual intervention. The computer system autonomously processes the alignment pattern reflections and provides real-time guidance, reducing the operational burden on the surgeon while maintaining high ablation precision through continuous automatic verification.
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
Ensures accurate and automatic perpendicular alignment of the eye with the ophthalmic device, reducing uneven ablation and enhancing procedure precision by objective analysis and real-time feedback.
Implementation Method 1
The camera system generates an image of the alignment pattern reflected from the eye
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, a system for aligning an eye includes an illuminator, a camera system, and a computer. The illuminator directs an alignment pattern towards the eye at one or more positions. The alignment pattern is designed to indicate a perpendicular alignment of the eye with an ophthalmic system. The camera system generates an image of the alignment pattern reflected from the eye at each position of the one or more positions to yield one or more images. The computer performs an analysis of the one or more images to detect the perpendicular alignment of the eye with the ophthalmic system and determines the perpendicular alignment of the eye with the ophthalmic system in accordance with the analysis.