Eye Surgical Laser Control for Continuous Corneal Interface Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling eye surgical lasers to separate a volume body from the cornea with predefined interfaces result in temporally offset and interrupted posterior and anterior interface generation, leading to prolonged treatment times.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that control the laser to emit pulsed laser pulses in a predefined pattern for continuous, uninterrupted generation of both interfaces, allowing for simultaneous creation of posterior and anterior interfaces without the need to turn off the laser or re-focus the beam, ensuring a seamless connection and preventing tissue bridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the laser is turned off and re-focused between generating posterior and anterior interfaces, then the interfaces can be generated with precise focus control, but the treatment time is significantly prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The laser focus is pre-adjusted to the posterior interface position before treatment begins. The laser then continuously generates both posterior and anterior interfaces in one uninterrupted sequence, eliminating the need to turn off and re-focus the laser between interface generations. This preliminary positioning enables seamless continuous operation while maintaining precise focus control throughout the treatment process.
2Loss of time
If the laser is kept on continuously to generate both interfaces, then treatment time is shortened, but the complexity of controlling the laser beam path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous laser beam path is segmented into distinct incision courses: a first incision course generates the posterior interface from central area to edge area, and a second incision course generates the anterior interface from edge area back to central area. The beam direction is changed in a transition zone at the edge area between these two courses. This segmentation allows continuous operation while maintaining controllable and manageable beam path complexity through structured sequencing.
3Reliability
If the interfaces are generated in separate steps with laser shutdown, then the generation process can be controlled and monitored, but tissue bridges may form between interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The laser operates continuously without shutdown during the generation of both posterior and anterior interfaces. By maintaining uninterrupted laser action and keeping the beam focused in the cornea throughout the process, the method ensures seamless connection between interfaces and prevents formation of tissue bridges that would occur if the laser were turned off and refocused between interface generations.
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 approach significantly shortens treatment duration by allowing both interfaces to be generated in a single method step, ensuring efficient and precise separation of the volume body from the cornea without prolonged treatment times or tissue bridges.
Implementation Method 1
the interfaces of the volume body to be separated are generated by means of an interaction of the individual laser pulses with the cornea by means of photodisruption
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling an eye surgical laser is disclosed for the separation of a volume body with predefined posterior and anterior interfaces from a human/animal cornea. The method including controlling the laser with a control device, the laser being configured to emit pulsed laser pulses in a predefined pattern into the cornea. The posterior and anterior interfaces of the volume body are defined by the predefined pattern and are generated by an interaction of the individual laser pulses with the cornea through photodisruption. The control device controls the laser beam such that both interfaces are generated via a continuous, uninterrupted sequence of laser pulses. A treatment device is disclosed with at least one eye surgical laser for the separation of a predefined corneal volume with predefined interfaces of a human/animal eye by photodisruption and with at least one control device for the laser(s).