Laser Focus Positioning Test Run for Ophthalmic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser devices used in ophthalmic surgery face challenges in ensuring precise positioning of the radiation focus due to aging, prolonged non-use, and data transmission errors, which can lead to deviations between target and actual focus positions, especially when dealing with living tissue like human eye tissue, where reprocessing is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A test run mechanism is implemented where the laser device performs a predetermined test scan pattern without emitting laser radiation, allowing the control arrangement to detect and compare actual focus positions with target positions, providing corrective measures and ensuring precision before actual surgery, with options for transverse and longitudinal scanning within defined scan fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the laser device operates without continuous testing, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to aging and data transmission errors causing focus position deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary test runs of scanning components before actual laser processing to detect and correct focus position deviations. The control arrangement executes test scans that move the focus through the scan field and compares actual positions with target positions, allowing corrective measures to be taken before real surgery begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring components continuously detect actual focus positions during scanning movements and feed this information back to the control arrangement. The control arrangement compares actual positions with target positions and generates corrective signals to adjust scanning component settings, ensuring focus accuracy is maintained throughout operation.
2Reliability
If test runs are performed frequently, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to repeated testing interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of testing all scanning components extensively before each use, the system performs partial test runs focusing on critical scan paths and boundary areas. This provides sufficient verification of focus position accuracy without requiring complete retesting of all components, reducing time loss while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the scan field is extended to cover larger areas, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to increased difficulty in maintaining focus accuracy across larger distances
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring components detect actual focus positions throughout the extended scan field and provide feedback to the control arrangement. The control arrangement compares actual positions with target positions across the entire scan field and generates corrective signals, maintaining focus precision even over larger scanning distances through continuous real-time adjustment.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a laser arrangement, in particular for ophthalmological laser surgery, comprising a laser source (14) for producing laser radiation, controllable scanning components (20) for adjusting a focus position of the laser radiation, measuring components (30) for detecting information which is representative of an actual position of the radiation focus, and a control arrangement (22) controlling the laser source and the scanning components. According to the invention, the control arrangement is configured to carry out a test run of at least some of the scanning components according to a predetermined test scanning pattern when the laser source is switched off, the test scanning pattern defining at least one scanning path for the radiation focus, and the control arrangement being configured to detect the actual focus position during a scanning movement along the scanning path several times in succession without the scanning movement stopping, and to determine a rated focus position in association with each actual focus position detected. The test run can ensure that the scanning components can move to all positions within an available scanning region even if the laser arrangement has previously experienced downtime.