Control Program for Eye Tissue Cross-Linking Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of dose dependencies in cross-linking therapy for eye tissue using electromagnetic radiation and photosensitizers makes it challenging to predict and achieve desired effects without causing damage, due to varied patient characteristics and parameters such as radiation intensity, distribution, and photosensitizer concentration.

Innovation Solution

A method and control program that simulate the diffusion of the photosensitizer and radiation absorption in eye tissue to determine optimal treatment parameters, iteratively adjusting these parameters to ensure agreement between simulated and desired changes, using measurement data like corneal topography and biomechanical properties to generate a personalized control program for cross-linking therapy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electromagnetic radiation and photosensitizer are used for cross-linking eye tissue, then the cornea can be stabilized and biomechanical properties improved, but the complexity of dose dependencies makes it difficult to predict effects and avoid tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepredictability of treatment effectVSAvoidcomplexity of dose dependencies
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing simulations before actual treatment to predict the effects of different radiation doses and photosensitizer concentrations. The system pre-calculates treatment outcomes using patient-specific parameters (corneal topography, thickness, biomechanical properties) to determine optimal treatment parameters before delivering radiation, thereby avoiding tissue damage while ensuring reliable treatment effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously comparing simulated treatment outcomes with desired therapeutic effects and adjusting treatment parameters accordingly. The control program uses feedback loops to refine radiation dose distribution, timing, and intensity based on predicted photosensitizer distribution and absorption characteristics, enabling precise control despite complex dose dependencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If treatment parameters are iteratively adjusted to achieve desired effects, then treatment precision is improved, but treatment time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of treatment parameter optimizationVSAvoidtime for iterative parameter adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary simulations using patient-specific measurement data (corneal topography, thickness, biomechanical properties) to pre-determine optimal treatment parameters. By pre-calculating photosensitizer diffusion patterns and radiation absorption characteristics, the system reduces the number of iterative adjustments needed during actual treatment, thereby improving precision while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system efficiently handles parameter changes by systematically varying treatment parameters (radiation intensity, duration, timing, photosensitizer concentration) within predefined ranges during simulations. This structured parameter exploration enables rapid identification of optimal settings without exhaustive brute-force iteration, balancing precision with computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If photosensitizer diffusion and radiation absorption are simulated to determine optimal parameters, then treatment safety is improved, but computational complexity and measurement data requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverisk of eye tissue damageVSAvoidcomputational complexity of simulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex in-vivo measurement and trial-and-error treatment approaches with computational simulations. By substituting physical experimentation with virtual modeling of photosensitizer diffusion and radiation absorption, the system predicts treatment outcomes and identifies safe parameter ranges without actual tissue damage, thereby reducing harmful factors while managing computational complexity through targeted modeling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses simulation models as intermediaries between treatment parameters and actual tissue effects. These virtual models mediate the complex relationships between radiation dose, photosensitizer concentration, and tissue response, allowing safe prediction of treatment outcomes before actual delivery. The intermediary simulation layer filters out harmful parameter combinations while maintaining computational feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 allows for reliable prediction and achievement of desired changes in eye tissue properties, minimizing the risk of damage and optimizing treatment outcomes by iteratively refining treatment parameters based on patient-specific data.

Implementation Method 1

cross-linking is carried out in the eye tissue of a patient by means of a photosensitizer introduced into the tissue... Electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range from approximately 300 nm to 800 nm (UV-A radiation or visible light) is used as primary radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

determining a depth-dependent absorption of the radiation based on the simulated distribution of the photosensitizer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2334269B1Control program for controlling electromagnetic radiation for cross-linking eye tissue
Publication Date: 2014.12.31 IROC INNOCROSS
  • EP2334269B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2334269B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2334269B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a control program for controlling a source of electromagnetic radiation by means of which eye tissue of a patient is cross-linked by means of a photosensitizer introduced into the tissue to bring about a modification of the eye tissue with respect to its shape and/or its mechanical properties, the control program being produced by the following steps: a) acquiring measurement data relating to the patient and the eye, b) simulating in a computer a result of the modification of the eye tissue obtained by treatment parameters which contain a predetermined auxiliary control program for controlling the source of electromagnetic radiation, using the measurement data and said treatment parameters, c) comparing the modification simulated in this manner to a modification of the eye tissue to be achieved, d) selecting the auxiliary control program used in step b) as the control program to be generated if the result of step c) is that there is sufficient agreement between the simulated modification and the modification of the eye tissue to be achieved, and e) modifying at least one of the treatment parameters in step) and then again carrying out steps b), c) and d) if in step c) the comparison does not have as a result that there is sufficient agreement between the simulated modification and the modification of the eye tissue to be achieved.