Ophthalmological Laser Control for Opaque Bubble Layer Avoidance

Solution Overview

Problem

The generation of an opaque bubble layer in the cornea during ophthalmological laser treatments interferes with the optical breakdown threshold, causing energy absorption by intact tissue and restricting vision.

Innovation Solution

Irradiating the cornea with reduced energy in an initial area above the optical breakdown threshold, creating holes for energy dissipation, and then using optimized energy for subsequent pulses to avoid bubble layer formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high energy is used for laser pulses to achieve optical breakdown and tissue separation, then tissue separation efficiency is improved, but opaque bubble layer generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue separation efficiencyVSAvoidopaque bubble layer generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by creating an initial irradiation area with reduced energy before the main treatment. This initial area serves as a preparatory step that prevents harmful bubble layer formation in subsequent high-energy irradiation, while still enabling effective tissue separation in the main treatment area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by applying different energy levels to different areas: reduced energy in the initial irradiation area and optimized high energy in the main treatment area. This spatial differentiation of energy distribution allows the system to avoid bubble layer formation where it would be harmful while maintaining effective tissue separation where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If reduced energy is used in initial irradiation area, then opaque bubble layer generation is reduced, but tissue separation quality may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopaque bubble layer generationVSAvoidincision surface quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the treatment area into two distinct zones: an initial irradiation area with reduced energy and a main treatment area with optimized energy. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific function - the initial area prevents bubble formation while the main area achieves high-quality tissue separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by applying different energy levels to different areas: reduced energy in the initial irradiation area and optimized high energy in the main treatment area. This spatial differentiation of energy distribution allows the system to avoid bubble layer formation where it would be harmful while maintaining effective tissue separation where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If excessive energy is absorbed by intact corneal tissue, then optical breakdown threshold is affected for further pulses, but vision is restricted at these locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical breakdown threshold stabilityVSAvoidvision restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by creating an initial irradiation area with reduced energy before the main treatment. This initial area serves as a preparatory step that prevents harmful bubble layer formation in subsequent high-energy irradiation, while still enabling effective tissue separation in the main treatment area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method reduces or avoids opaque bubble layer generation, ensuring better treatment outcomes by dissipating excessive energy and maintaining optimal tissue separation.

Implementation Method 1

laser pulses effect a photodisruption and/or ablation in a focus situated within the organic tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical breakdown:

Implementation Method 2

laser pulses effect a photodisruption and/or ablation in a focus situated within the organic tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotodisruption:

Implementation Method 3

an opaque bubble layer is generated in the cornea by the laser pulses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBubble layer formation: Cavitation

Data Source

PatentUS20240342006A1Method for providing control data for an ophthalmological laser of a treatment apparatus for avoiding an opaque bubble layer

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 SCHWIND EYE TECH SOLUTIONS GMBH

AI summary

A method for providing control data for an ophthalmological laser of a treatment apparatus for avoiding an opaque bubble layer in a cornea is provided. There is effected determining a treatment area in the cornea by predetermined examination data, wherein first irradiation parameters for providing an optical breakdown are set; determining an initial irradiation area in or adjoining to the treatment area, in which it is begun with an irradiation of the cornea, wherein second irradiation parameters for the optical breakdown are set for the initial irradiation area, by which a reduced power density is generated; wherein a positioning of at least a first laser pulse path is set adjoining to the initial irradiation area for a subsequent irradiation of the treatment area. Finally, providing the control data for the ophthalmological laser, which includes the treatment area and the initial irradiation area with the respective irradiation parameters, is affected.