Laser Corneal Incision Alignment for Astigmatism Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current corneal transplant techniques often result in post-operative induced astigmatism, a common complication that existing methods fail to adequately minimize or eliminate.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a surgical laser to create precise incision patterns on both donor and recipient corneas, including sidecut and crosscut incisions, facilitated by a controller and focusing assembly, to enable precise resection and alignment of corneal tissue for grafting, with optional steps for suture placement and incision pattern matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional trephine or manual surgical techniques are used for corneal transplant, then the procedure can be performed with simpler equipment, but post-operative induced astigmatism occurs due to imprecise incision alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical incision techniques with a laser-based system that uses optical energy to create precise incisions. The laser system eliminates the need for physical contact and manual alignment, substituting mechanical operations with optical field-based precision cutting and marking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the corneal tissue through controlled laser energy application. By adjusting laser parameters (energy, pulse duration, wavelength) and controlling the thermal field, the system achieves precise incision depths and patterns without mechanical contact, thereby improving alignment precision while managing system complexity.
2Reliability
If precise laser marking and incision systems are implemented, then post-operative astigmatism is reduced through better tissue alignment, but the device complexity and surgical procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary marking and incision patterns to the corneal tissue before the actual transplant procedure. By pre-defining the incision geometry, depth, and positioning using laser marking, the system ensures that subsequent tissue manipulation and grafting follow predetermined precise paths, thereby improving post-operative reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates real-time monitoring and control mechanisms that track the laser beam position, energy delivery, and tissue response. This feedback system allows dynamic adjustment of incision parameters during surgery, ensuring consistent precision and improving reliability while managing the complexity of the laser system through intelligent control.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple incision patterns (sidecut and crosscut) are created with high precision, then tissue resection and alignment accuracy improve, but the surgical time and procedure duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the corneal incision process into distinct segments: sidecut incisions that define the primary resection boundary, and crosscut incisions that create secondary alignment markers. This segmentation allows each type of incision to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving overall resection accuracy while enabling parallel processing of different incision types to reduce total procedure time.
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
The system improves the precision and alignment of corneal tissue incisions, potentially reducing post-operative astigmatism by ensuring symmetrical and identical incision patterns, thereby facilitating better tissue alignment and reducing surgical stress on the grafted tissue.
Implementation Method 1
low energy ultra-short pulsed laser radiation is applied to the patient's eye in one of a number of patterns such that the exposed ocular tissue is ablated or excised through the process of optical breakdown or photodisruption
Implementation Method 2
low energy ultra-short pulsed laser radiation is applied to the patient's eye in one of a number of patterns such that the exposed ocular tissue is ablated or excised through the process of optical breakdown or photodisruption
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system and method for marking corneal tissue in a transplant procedure is disclosed. Sidecut incisions are made in each of the donor cornea and the recipient cornea. Crosscut incisions are made across the sidecut incision in each cornea. Corneal tissue which is at least partially bounded by the sidecut incision is resected from the recipient cornea. Part of the crosscut incision made in the recipient cornea extends beyond the resected corneal tissue. Donor tissue which is at least partially bounded by the sidecut incision is resected from the donor cornea. Part of the crosscut incision made in the donor cornea is in the resected donor tissue. The donor tissue is then grafted into the recipient cornea.