Interferometric Measuring System for Ophthalmic Laser Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ophthalmological devices for treating eye tissue with laser pulses face challenges in efficiently measuring and compensating for changes in the light transmission path during movement, leading to potential measurement errors.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an interferometric measuring system that allows for flexible measurement of eye structures without moving the device, with a movable optical element and a control module to adjust the reference arm path length, ensuring accurate measurements during laser pulse projection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the light projector is moved to process an extensive processing area, then the treatment area is increased, but the light transmission path length changes causing measurement errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing areaVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the light transmission path length using an interferometric measuring system and feeds this information back to the control module, which automatically adjusts the reference arm path length to compensate for changes, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy throughout the processing area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The interferometric measuring system acts as an intermediary between the light projector movement and the measurement process, detecting path length changes and enabling automatic compensation through the control module, thus isolating the measurement from the harmful effects of projector movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the light transmission path length is changed by moving the light projector, then the processing flexibility is improved, but measurement errors occur due to path length changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing flexibilityVSAvoidmeasurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the reference arm path length in real-time based on the current light transmission path length, allowing the light projector to move freely for flexible processing while the measurement system continuously adapts to maintain reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control module receives continuous feedback about the light transmission path length from the interferometric measuring system and automatically adjusts the reference arm path length accordingly, ensuring measurement reliability is maintained throughout the flexible processing range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Facilitates efficient and accurate recording of eye structure data before, during, and after treatment, minimizing measurement errors caused by light projector movement.

Implementation Method 1

an interferometric measuring system for measuring eye structures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

a light source for generating the laser pulses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP2664309B1Device for treating eye tissue
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 ZIEMER OPHTHALMIC SYST
  • EP2664309B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2664309B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2664309B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The ophthalmological device has a light source (2) for generating the laser pulses (P) and a light projector (60) for focused projection of the laser pulses to an ocular tissue (7). The light projector is movable with respect to the light source, so that the length of a light transmission path (L) of the light source is changed to the light projector. An interferometric measuring system (3) is provided for measuring ocular structures. The interferometric measuring system is coupled in the light transmission path.