Eye Floater Laser Targeting Using Shadow Imaging and Interferometry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic laser systems struggle to accurately visualize and precisely target eye floaters due to insufficient contrast in reflected light, leading to inaccurate laser beam guidance and ineffective treatment.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic laser surgical system incorporating a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) for high-contrast imaging of floater shadows, combined with an interferometer for z-location determination, and a shared xy-scanner for precise alignment of the laser beam, utilizing adaptive optics and Bessel-like beams for focused treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional laser systems are used to treat eye floaters, then the treatment can be performed, but the visualization of floaters has insufficient contrast leading to inaccurate targeting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary imaging system (SLO or OCT) that mediates between the floater and the laser beam. This intermediary system captures high-contrast images of the floater shadow cast on the retina, providing accurate positional information without requiring direct visualization of the floater itself. The imaging system acts as a mediator that translates the invisible floater into visible shadow information for precise laser targeting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the floater information by imaging its shadow on the retina rather than directly imaging the floater itself. The shadow serves as a optical copy or projection of the floater's position and shape, providing high-contrast visualization that enables accurate laser beam guidance. This copying approach transforms the difficult-to-visualize floater into a clear shadow image.
2Manufacturing precision
If the laser beam is focused directly without precise imaging, then the treatment process is simpler, but the laser targeting accuracy is insufficient leading to ineffective treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging function and laser delivery function into a single integrated system. The same optical path and scanning mechanisms are used for both imaging the floater shadow and delivering the laser beam. This merging eliminates the need for separate imaging and treatment systems, reducing overall complexity while achieving precise laser focusing through the shared optical pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-functional system where the optical components serve dual purposes: imaging the floater shadow and delivering the laser beam for treatment. The scanning laser ophthalmoscope or OCT system not only provides high-contrast imaging but also establishes the optical pathway for precise laser delivery. This universality reduces device complexity by making existing components perform multiple functions.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional imaging methods are used, then the system is simpler, but the floater shadow contrast is insufficient leading to inaccurate location determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional imaging approach by not directly imaging the floater itself, but rather imaging the shadow that the floater casts on the retina. This inversion transforms the low-contrast floater into a high-contrast shadow image, dramatically improving visualization. The shadow imaging approach converts a difficult imaging problem into a straightforward high-contrast detection task.
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 accurate and safe treatment of eye floaters by providing high-contrast imaging and precise laser targeting, minimizing retinal damage and improving treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
generates an SLO image of a floater shadow cast by the floater onto a retina of the eye
Implementation Method 2
The interferometer device provides a z-location of the floater, where the z-location is relative to the retina
Implementation Method 3
The laser device generates a laser beam and includes a z-focusing component that focuses a focal point of the laser beam onto the z-location of the floater
Implementation Method 4
The xy-scanner: receives an SLO beam from the SLO device and directs the SLO beam along an SLO beam path towards the xy-location of the floater shadow; and receives the laser beam from the laser device and directs the laser beam along the SLO beam path
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, an ophthalmic laser surgical system for treating a floater in an eye comprises a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) device that: generates an SLO image of a floater shadow cast by the floater onto a retina of the eye, and provides an xy-location of the floater shadow, where the xy-location is related to the xy-scanner. An interferometer device provides a z-location of the floater, where the z-location is relative to the retina. A laser device generates a laser beam and includes a z-focusing component that focuses a focal point of the laser beam onto the z-location of the floater. An xy-scanner directs an SLO beam from the SLO device along an SLO beam path towards the xy-location of the floater shadow, and directs the laser beam from the laser device along the SLO beam path towards the xy-location of the floater shadow.