Fluorescent Scan Pattern Calibration for Ophthalmic Laser Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Calibration of surgical laser systems in ophthalmic procedures is often cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring manual calibration of scanning systems with calibration plates, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The development of automated laser calibration systems that use a camera with a sensor array to map pixel locations to the treatment space, employing fluorescent materials and calibration plates to calibrate the scanning system, and adjusting control parameters for xy-scan and z-scan devices to achieve precise alignment and focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual calibration with calibration plate is used, then calibration accuracy can be achieved, but calibration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically capturing images of the calibration plate, detecting feature points, and computing transformation parameters without manual intervention. The automated calibration process eliminates the need for operators to manually adjust components while maintaining calibration accuracy through algorithmic computation of scan head position and orientation relative to the treatment space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical calibration operations with an automated optical-detection-based system. Instead of physically adjusting and measuring components by hand, the system uses a camera to capture images, automatically detects feature points, and computes calibration parameters through image processing and coordinate transformation algorithms, thereby reducing calibration time while preserving accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual calibration procedures are used, then system alignment can be achieved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs alignment by capturing calibration plate images, detecting feature points, and computing transformation parameters without requiring operators to understand or execute complex manual alignment procedures. The automated process handles all computational steps including coordinate system transformation and scan head positioning calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration plate serves as an intermediary object that bridges the scan head coordinate system and the treatment space coordinate system. By detecting feature points on the calibration plate and computing transformation parameters, the system establishes accurate coordinate mapping without requiring direct manual alignment between the scan head and treatment space, thereby simplifying the calibration procedure.
3Productivity
If automated calibration with camera and fluorescent material is used, then calibration time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluorescent calibration material serves as an intermediary that enhances the visibility and detectability of calibration features. When illuminated by the laser beam, the fluorescent material emits light that is captured by the camera, enabling automatic detection of scan positions. This intermediary approach allows the system to achieve automated calibration with improved efficiency while managing complexity through the use of a specialized but relatively simple calibration target.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluorescent calibration material exhibits color changes or light emission properties when excited by the laser beam. This optical property enables the camera to automatically detect the scan head position by capturing the fluorescent emission, thereby facilitating automated calibration without requiring complex sensors or detectors. The color change mechanism provides a simple yet effective way to mark calibration positions.
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 reduces calibration time and complexity by enabling automatic calibration of laser systems, ensuring accurate positioning of the electromagnetic radiation beam within the treatment space, thereby improving the efficiency and precision of ophthalmic surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
scan the laser system's electromagnetic radiation beam to a series of scanning locations of a fluorescent material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A laser system calibration method and system are provided. In some methods, a calibration plate may be used to calibrate a video camera of the laser system. The video camera pixel locations may be mapped to the physical space. A xy-scan device of the laser system may be calibrated by defining control parameters for actuating components of the xy-scan device to scan a beam to a series of locations. Optionally, the beam may be scanned to a series of locations on a fluorescent plate. The video camera may be used to capture reflected light from the fluorescent plate. The xy-scan device may then be calibrated by mapping the xy-scan device control parameters to physical locations. A desired z-depth focus may be determined by defining control parameters for focusing a beam to different depths. The video camera or a confocal detector may be used to detect the scanned depths.