Laser Energy Stabilization via Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser eye surgery systems fail to maintain a constant amount of laser energy delivery to the eye due to accumulation of substances like ozone along the laser beam path, leading to reduced energy efficacy and precision over time.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that measure the decrease in delivered laser energy over time, calculate adjustments to compensate for energy loss, and calibrate the laser generating device to stabilize the energy delivery by increasing the provided energy to counteract ozone accumulation and dissipation between pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If laser energy is delivered through a delivery path containing optical elements, then the laser beam can be focused and directed to the target, but substances accumulate along the delivery path causing reduced energy delivery over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects the actual laser energy arriving at the target, and this information is fed back to adjust the laser output. The control system continuously monitors delivered energy and modifies the laser beam parameters to compensate for ozone accumulation, ensuring stable energy delivery throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes laser parameters (such as power output, pulse duration, or frequency) in response to detected energy variations. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system compensates for the progressive energy loss caused by ozone buildup along the delivery path.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple laser pulses are delivered to correct refractive errors, then the desired corneal reshaping is achieved, but the accumulated ozone reduces energy consistency between pulses
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system measures the actual energy delivered by each pulse and uses this information to adjust subsequent pulses. This ensures that despite ozone accumulation, each pulse delivers the intended energy level, maintaining consistent ablation precision throughout the multi-pulse treatment sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurements and calculations to predict energy loss from ozone accumulation before delivering the treatment sequence. This allows pre-compensation of laser parameters to ensure energy consistency across all pulses in the treatment series.
3Ease of operation
If the laser beam path is extended to include necessary optical elements, then beam control and focusing are improved, but the delivery path becomes more susceptible to substance accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism continuously monitors the actual energy delivery and compensates for losses in the extended delivery path. This maintains reliable energy delivery despite the increased susceptibility to ozone accumulation associated with longer or more complex optical paths.
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 approach ensures a consistent and precise delivery of laser energy, enhancing the accuracy and efficacy of laser eye surgery procedures by maintaining a stable energy level over multiple pulses and extended periods without frequent recalibrations.
Implementation Method 1
The laser beam creates ozone when it passes through oxygen along the delivery path
Implementation Method 2
Subsequent pulses of the laser beam are then impeded by the presence of ozone along the path, resulting in a reduced amount of energy arriving at the patient's eye with each subsequent pulse
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods provide for stabilizing the amount of laser energy delivered to a target from a laser device. Generally, delivered laser energy is measured over multiple laser pulses or over time in the case of a constant wave laser. A decrease is then calculated in the delivered energy, the decrease being caused by accumulation of one or more substances, such as ozone, along the laser beam delivery path due to passage of the laser beam along the path. Using this calculated decrease, a laser device may be adjusted to compensate for the decrease in delivered energy due to the accumulated substance(s), thus stabilizing the amount of energy delivered to the target.