Eye Opacity Distance Measurement for Safe Laser Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser treatment systems for eye floaters lack the ability to accurately determine whether an opacity is in a safe zone, risking unintended irradiation of the crystalline lens or retina due to user error in estimating distance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses image data of aiming beams converging on an opacity within the eye to calculate distances to the retina and crystalline lens, providing a treatment recommendation based on predetermined safety margins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the physician uses the laser beam to treat the opacity, then the opacity is broken into small parts and removed, but there is a risk of unintentionally irradiating the crystalline lens or retina
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images of the aiming beams and spots on the retina, processes these images to calculate the inter-spot distance, and uses this feedback to determine whether the opacity is in the safe zone before allowing treatment. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures treatment safety by continuously monitoring the relationship between the aiming beams and retinal spots.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the inter-spot distance and determines whether the opacity is in the safe zone before the actual laser treatment is applied. This preliminary assessment prevents unintended irradiation by establishing safety criteria before the harmful action occurs.
2Ease of operation
If the physician estimates the position of the opacity manually, then the treatment can be performed, but the distance estimation may be incorrect leading to wrong treatment decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the manual mechanical estimation method with an automated optical measurement system. The camera captures images of the aiming beams and retinal spots, and the processing utility automatically calculates the inter-spot distance and determines opacity position, eliminating human error in distance estimation while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary processing utility that acts as a mediator between the aiming beams and the treatment decision. This intermediary automatically calculates distances and determines safe zone status, providing precise measurement without requiring the physician to manually estimate distances.
3Reliability
If a safe zone of a few millimeters is maintained away from the crystalline lens and retina, then the risk of unintended irradiation is reduced, but less-experienced users may not correctly estimate whether the opacity is in the safe zone
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated feedback by calculating the inter-spot distance and determining whether the opacity is in the safe zone, eliminating the difficulty of manually detecting and measuring safe zone position. The feedback mechanism clearly indicates whether treatment is safe or not.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an optical copy of the eye's internal structures through camera imaging of the aiming beams and retinal spots. This optical copy allows for precise measurement and determination of safe zone position without requiring direct manual measurement by the user.
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 safe and accurate laser treatment of eye floaters by objectively determining if the opacity is within a safe zone, reducing the risk of damaging adjacent eye structures.
Implementation Method 1
first and second aiming beams entering the eye and converging at location of an opacity within the eye, and of first and second spots formed on the retina by respectively the first and second aiming beams
Implementation Method 2
The laser treatment is done using the photo disruption (PD) mode known as 'YAG' (named after the laser crystal material Nd: YAG which stands for Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) and having a 1064 nm treatment beam
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for using in treatment of an opacity within an eye are presented, the system comprising an input utility configured to receive input data comprising image data of the eye being indicative of a convergence spot of first and second aiming beams entering the eye and converging at location of an opacity within the eye, and of first and second spots formed on the retina by respectively the first and second aiming beams; a processing utility configured to process the input data, the processing comprises processing the image data and determining an inter-spot distance between the first and second spots formed on the retina, and utilizing the inter-spot distance and a model of the eye and determining a first distance between the opacity and the retina and a second distance between the opacity and the crystalline lens of the eye; and an output utility configured and operable to generate output data indicative of opacity treatment recommendation based on the first and second distances.