Harmonic Scanning Path for Transparent Material Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for creating cuts in transparent materials using optical radiation, such as in ophthalmology, face challenges in achieving high sectioning speed and efficiency, particularly for cross cuts, due to deceleration and acceleration of scanning devices, which prolongs surgical procedures and increases the risk of gas bubbles and capsule rupture.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a harmonic path for focusing optical radiation perpendicular to the main direction of incidence, with adjacent paths not overlapping, and include rotation, shifting, or stretching of the cutting pattern to distribute gas bubbles and ensure complete separation of lens fragments, allowing for faster and more efficient cutting while minimizing negative effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the focus is shifted along a curved path using conventional scanning methods, then cuts can be created in transparent materials, but the deceleration and acceleration of the scanning device prolongs the procedure time and reduces sectioning speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic harmonic motion to the scanning device, where the focus shifts along a harmonic path defined by sinusoidal functions. This periodic action eliminates the need for repeated deceleration and acceleration at turning points, as the motion continuously follows a smooth harmonic trajectory. The scanning device operates at resonant frequencies, maintaining constant velocity throughout the cutting path, thereby significantly reducing procedure time while achieving complete lens sectioning.
2Reliability
If conventional cutting paths are used, then lens sectioning can be achieved, but gas bubbles accumulate and increase the risk of capsule rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The harmonic cutting path creates periodic variations in cutting depth and direction, which prevents gas bubbles from accumulating in localized areas. The sinusoidal motion distributes bubble formation throughout the cutting volume, allowing bubbles to escape more effectively and reducing pressure concentration that could lead to capsule rupture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved harmonic paths instead of straight or angular trajectories. This curvature in the cutting path allows for more gradual material removal and reduces the formation of concentrated gas pockets, thereby minimizing the risk of capsule rupture while maintaining effective lens sectioning.
3Reliability
If the scanning device is decelerated and re-positioned for cross cuts, then complete lens sectioning can be achieved, but the sectioning efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmonic path enables continuous scanning motion that accomplishes both cross cuts and complete lens sectioning without interruption. The periodic sinusoidal trajectory naturally creates the necessary cutting patterns for complete sectioning while maintaining constant device velocity, thereby achieving high sectioning efficiency without sacrificing reliability.
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 enables faster and more efficient creation of cross cuts in transparent materials, reducing the time required for surgical procedures and minimizing the risk of gas bubbles and capsule rupture, while ensuring effective sectioning of the lens tissue into removable pieces.
Implementation Method 1
the optical radiation is focused on a focus in the material
Implementation Method 2
Non-linear processes are usually used which require a focusing of treatment radiation, usually pulsed laser radiation, into the material
Implementation Method 3
laser radiation acts inside the material, for example the tissue, which is transparent to the optical radiation... the creation of a cut then occurs by shifting the position of the focus in the material
Data Source
AI summary
A method for creating cuts in a transparent material using optical radiation, the optical radiation being focused onto the material in a focal point and the focal point being shifted along a curve: A simple or double harmonic curve is used when seen at a right angle to a main direction of incidence of the radiation and preferably successively traveled curves do not lie on top of each other.