Laser Marking for Ocular Alignment Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current eye surgery techniques face challenges in achieving precise alignment and minimizing unintended side effects, particularly in procedures that require accurate optical axis alignment and correction of refractive errors, leading to potential optical aberrations and reduced effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining specific optical characteristics of the eye, such as axes, and using laser marking pulses to create precise marks on the eye, allowing for improved alignment and surgical precision during procedures like intraocular lens placement and corneal inlays, using a pulsed laser system with an imaging module to monitor and control the alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional eye surgery techniques are used, then surgical procedures can be performed, but precise alignment with optical axes is difficult to achieve, leading to unintended side effects and optical aberrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidunintended side effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary laser marking of the eye's optical axes and key anatomical landmarks before the main surgical procedure. This preliminary action creates reference marks that guide subsequent surgical interventions, ensuring precise alignment with the eye's optical characteristics and minimizing unintended side effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates real-time imaging and tracking that monitors the eye's position and orientation during surgery. This feedback mechanism allows the surgical system to adjust and maintain precise alignment with the optical axes throughout the procedure, correcting for any eye movement or positional changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If laser marking pulses are applied to create precise marks, then surgical alignment is improved, but the complexity of the surgical system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical alignmentVSAvoidsurgical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: laser marking, imaging, tracking, and surgical intervention. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and simplifies the overall surgical workflow while maintaining high precision alignment through coordinated operation of all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances the precision and accuracy of eye surgery, reducing unintended side effects and optimizing optical function by aligning surgical interventions with the eye's optical axes, thereby improving post-operative vision correction outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

A number of pulsed laser pulses are delivered to a target in an eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP2211802B1Apparatus for improved post-operative ocular optical peformance
Publication Date: 2012.06.27 ALCON LENSX INC
  • EP2211802B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2211802B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2211802B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Techniques, systems are described for performing laser eye surgery. In one aspect, a method for improving an optical function of an eye includes preparing the eye for surgery by determining an optical characteristic of the eye. Laser marking pulses are applied to generate a laser mark in a region of the eye in relation to the determined optical characteristic. Also, a surgical procedure is performed in a surgical region selected in relation to the generated laser mark.