Ophthalmological Laser Divergence Modulator for Vertical Tissue Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmological devices using pulsed laser beams struggle to perform tissue cuts with a vertical cutting component without requiring vertical displacements of the projection optics, limiting their ability to process eye tissue with complex geometries such as diagonal or vertical sections.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a divergence modulator upstream of the scanner system, which dynamically changes the divergence of the laser beam in synchronization with the scanning movement, allows for tilting of the scan line without vertical shifts in the projection optics, enabling cuts with a vertical component by modulating the divergence in a direction perpendicular to the optical transmission axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the projection optics are vertically displaced to perform tissue cuts with a vertical cutting component, then the ability to process complex geometries is improved, but the device complexity and mechanical movement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vertical displacement of projection optics with an optical solution using a divergent laser beam. The divergent beam allows the focal point to move vertically along the scan line without requiring physical movement of the projection optics, thus substituting mechanical motion with optical field manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the divergence parameter of the laser beam to enable vertical cutting components. By adjusting the beam divergence dynamically, the focal depth varies along the scan line, allowing cuts with vertical components while keeping the projection optics stationary.
2Device complexity
If the projection optics are kept stationary without vertical displacements, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to perform tissue cuts with a vertical cutting component is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for vertical displacement mechanisms by using a divergent laser beam. The optical field itself is shaped to provide vertical cutting components, replacing mechanical adjustment with optical field configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of beam divergence to maintain vertical cutting capability without mechanical movement. The divergence modulator dynamically adjusts the beam properties in real-time during scanning, enabling adaptive vertical cuts while keeping hardware stationary.
3Ease of operation
If simple scan patterns are used with horizontally aligned processing areas, then the device operation is simplified, but the capability to execute sections with vertical component over different focal heights is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic parameter changes in beam divergence to enable multi-height sectioning. By modulating the divergence during scanning, the focal height varies along the scan line, allowing execution of sections at different focal heights without complicating the scan pattern itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic beam divergence modulation that works in conjunction with simple scan patterns. The temporal variation of beam parameters compensates for the spatial simplicity of the scan pattern, enabling complex multi-height processing through optical field dynamics rather than mechanical or scanning complexity.
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 solution enables precise tissue cutting with a vertical component without vertical displacements of the projection optics, enhancing the device's capability to process eye tissue with complex geometries by dynamically adjusting the focus and cutting surface during scanning.
Implementation Method 1
projection optics for focused projection of the laser beam or the laser pulses into the eye tissue
Implementation Method 2
The light beams or the laser pulses, for example femtosecond laser pulses, are generally deflected using movable mirrors which can be pivoted about one or two scanning axes
Implementation Method 3
a divergence modulator for dynamically changing the divergence of the laser beam is placed in front of the scanner system. The dynamic change in the divergence of the laser beam during the scanning movement causes the divergence of the laser beam to change as a function of the scanning movement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
AI summary
The ophthalmological apparatus (1) has a projection optical system (10) for the focused projection of laser beam (L) into eye tissue (22). A scanner system (14) is arranged at upstream of projection optical system for beam-scanning of the eye tissue with the laser beam in scan movement direction (s'), along a scan line (s). A divergence modulator (15) is arranged in upstream of scanner system to perform the dynamic changing of divergence of laser beam.