3D Eye Tissue Cutting Pattern Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic laser systems lack flexibility and safety for users to make precise cuts in eye tissue, as they require expert-level beam deflection and pulse control, and do not allow for efficient surgery planning or minimization of intervention time, nor can they handle non-standard procedures like corneal flap cutting.
Innovation Solution
A computer-aided system that generates a three-dimensional cutting pattern for femtosecond laser pulses, allowing users to define and position cut surfaces within a 3D eye model, with features like a cut surface editor, deformation module, sequence generator, and visualization module to ensure safe and efficient tissue cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a femtosecond laser is used to make cuts in eye tissue, then cutting precision and flexibility are improved, but the complexity of beam deflection and pulse control increases, requiring expert-level operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer-aided system as an intermediary between the user and the femtosecond laser. This system includes software modules that automatically calculate beam deflection paths and pulse timing sequences, translating simple user-defined cut geometries into complex laser control parameters. The intermediary handles the complexity of beam deflection and pulse control, allowing users to operate the system without being laser experts while maintaining high cutting precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual beam deflection and pulse control are required, then cutting flexibility is improved, but intervention time and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the computer-aided system pre-calculate and store optimal beam deflection paths and pulse control sequences for various cut types before surgery. During the actual procedure, the system automatically retrieves and executes these pre-planned sequences, significantly reducing intervention time while maintaining cutting flexibility. The system can adapt to different surgical scenarios by selecting from pre-computed options or performing quick recalculations based on real-time eye model data.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex laser parameter configurations are used, then cutting capability is improved, but the risk of harmful or impossible incisions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the computer-aided system continuously monitors the planned cut parameters against the three-dimensional eye model and provides automatic validation. The system checks whether the configured laser parameters will produce safe and feasible incisions, warning the user of potential harmful or impossible cuts before execution. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain high cutting capability while preventing dangerous configurations through automated safety checks and real-time parameter optimization.
4Ease of operation
If standard laser systems are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but the ability to perform non-standard procedures like corneal flap cutting is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a computer-aided system with a modular architecture that can handle both standard and non-standard cutting procedures through a unified interface. The system includes a library of pre-configured cut patterns for common procedures while allowing users to define custom geometries for non-standard applications like corneal flap cutting. The same software platform adapts to different surgical needs by adjusting laser parameters and beam paths, maintaining ease of operation across diverse procedures without requiring separate specialized systems.
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
Enhances cutting flexibility and safety by allowing users to define complex cut shapes and trajectories within a 3D eye model, reducing the need for direct manipulation during surgery and enabling precise, efficient tissue cuts while preventing thermal overload and shading issues.
Implementation Method 1
a computer-aided system for generating a three-dimensional cutting pattern which defines one or more tissue cuts to be made in a human eye by means of femtosecond laser pulses
Data Source
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AI summary
The system (1) has a data storage (18) with eye data (181) defining a three-dimensional eye model. A reference generator (113) defines a geometrical reference relative to the model. A cut area editor (114) defines multiple cut areas based on user instructions and positions the areas in the model relative to the geometric reference. A cut pattern generator (117) generates three-dimensional cut patterns to define tissue cuts based on the areas positioned in the model. The cut pattern generator stores the instructions as cut pattern data (186) for controlling an ophthalmologic laser device.