Ophthalmic Laser Dosage Control via Thermal Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurately measuring exposure levels of therapeutic radiation to the eye during treatment is challenging, as existing methods may lead to excessive damage and vision loss due to the difficulty in determining the optimal dosage.
Innovation Solution
A laser-based ophthalmological surgical system that includes a therapeutic radiation source, optical elements to direct the radiation, and a detector system to measure thermal radiation emitted by the targeted area, allowing for real-time feedback to adjust the radiation dosage and prevent excessive exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If therapeutic radiation is administered to treat eye conditions, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but risk of excessive damage and vision loss increases due to difficulty in accurately measuring exposure levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs real-time feedback by monitoring thermal radiation emitted from the targeted retinal area during laser therapy. The detector system continuously measures temperature changes and provides feedback to control the radiation source, allowing dynamic adjustment of dosage to achieve therapeutic effect while preventing excessive damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or manual dosage estimation methods with optical detection of thermal radiation. Instead of relying on mechanical dosimeters or manual calculation, the system uses optical detection of infrared thermal emission to non-invasively and continuously monitor tissue temperature and radiation exposure levels.
2Device complexity
If existing measurement methods are used to monitor radiation exposure, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision is insufficient leading to inaccurate dosage determination
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses thermal radiation as an intermediary to indirectly measure radiation dosage. Instead of directly measuring the therapeutic radiation or its biological effect, the system detects the thermal emission from heated tissue, which serves as a mediator providing precise information about energy absorption and temperature rise.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If real-time temperature monitoring is implemented to prevent excessive exposure, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional detector system and optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The optical elements in the system serve multiple functions: they direct the therapeutic radiation to the target area and simultaneously guide the thermal radiation from the detector to the measurement system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate optical paths and components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining real-time monitoring capability.
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 effectively measures thermal radiation to determine the temperature of the targeted area, enabling precise control of therapeutic radiation dosage and reducing the risk of vision loss by automatically terminating exposure when a target temperature threshold is reached, thus ensuring effective treatment while minimizing damage.
Implementation Method 1
The detector system may be configured to measure thermal radiation emitted by the targeted area responsive to exposure to the therapeutic radiation
Implementation Method 2
calculate the temperature of the targeted area based on the detected intensity, the quantum efficiency of the detector, and a blackbody spectrum associated with a target temperature threshold of the targeted area
Implementation Method 3
A temperature of the targeted area may depend on a dosage of the therapeutic radiation
Implementation Method 4
irradiating a targeted area of an eye of a patient with therapeutic radiation... measuring thermal radiation emitted by the targeted area responsive to exposure to the therapeutic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a laser-based ophthalmological surgical system includes a therapeutic radiation source, one or more optical elements, and a detector system. The therapeutic radiation source may be configured to emit therapeutic radiation. The one or more optical elements may be configured to direct the therapeutic radiation to a targeted area of an eye of a patient. A temperature of the targeted area may depend on a dosage of the therapeutic radiation. The detector system may be configured to measure thermal radiation emitted by the targeted area responsive to exposure to the therapeutic radiation. The one or more optical elements may be configured to optically couple the detector system to the targeted area.