Eye Surgery Laser Interface Devices for Versatile Incisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current eye-surgical laser systems are limited in their ability to perform various types of eye treatments with the same apparatus due to restricted z-scanner capabilities and limited depth of focus, making it difficult to achieve high-quality incisions in different eye structures such as the cornea and lens.
Innovation Solution
A laser system with a set of interface devices that allow for adjustable focus location, depth of focus, and spot diameter, enabling the same laser apparatus to perform different eye surgeries by changing the interface device, which includes contact lenses with varying shapes and optical elements to adapt the laser radiation for specific treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single laser apparatus is used for multiple eye treatments, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to achieve high-quality incisions in different eye structures is limited due to restricted z-scanner capabilities and depth of focus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the radiation focus location in the z-direction through a liquid lens that can be controlled to achieve different focus positions. This allows the same laser apparatus to adapt its focusing characteristics for different eye structures (cornea, lens, etc.) while maintaining high incision quality, resolving the contradiction between versatility and precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the radiation focus location in the z-direction is controlled using a liquid lens, then adaptability to different eye structures is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid lens is designed to serve multiple functions: it controls the z-direction focus location for different eye structures, maintains adequate spot diameter, and works within the existing laser apparatus framework. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing universal adaptability across various eye treatments without requiring multiple separate systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If ultra-short-pulse laser radiation is used for incision generation, then incision precision is improved, but the depth of focus and z-scanner capabilities remain limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by introducing a liquid lens that dynamically adjusts the focal length and depth of focus. This allows the maintain the high precision of ultra-short-pulse laser incisions while extending the effective depth of focus to accommodate different eye structures at various depths, resolving the contradiction between incision precision and depth of focus.
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 versatile eye-surgical procedures by providing precise control over the laser focus, allowing for effective incisions in the cornea, lens, and other eye structures with improved focusing and reduced patient burden, while maintaining low pulse energy.
Implementation Method 1
The physical effect that is utilised in the course of generating an incision by means of pulsed laser radiation is so-called laser-induced optical breakthrough, which results in a so-called photodisruption
Implementation Method 2
Each of the interface devices of the set differs from the other interface devices by virtue of a differing optical effect on the laser radiation made available in the laser apparatus
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a laser system for eye surgery with an eye-surgical laser apparatus and with a set of interface devices. The invention further relates to the laser apparatus itself, to the set of interface devices itself, to the use of the set and also to a method for laser-surgical eye treatment. The laser system for eye surgery comprises the eye-surgical laser apparatus having optical components for providing pulsed focused laser radiation with radiation properties matched to the generation of photodisruptions in human eye tissue and with a control unit for positional control of the radiation focus of the laser radiation, the control unit being designed for executing various control programs that represent various types of incision figure; and a set of interface devices, each of the interface devices including a contact body that is transparent to the laser radiation, with an abutment face for abutment against an eye to be treated, and also a coupling portion for detachable coupling of the interface device onto a counter-coupling portion of the laser apparatus, the interface devices of the set differing by virtue of a differing optical effect on the laser radiation provided in the laser apparatus.