Ophthalmological Laser Device Optical Zone Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ophthalmological laser treatment devices face challenges in ensuring accurate positioning of surgical structures within the eye, leading to sub-optimal vision correction, especially in low light environments, due to inadequate assessment of the overlap between the optical zone and the refractive correction structure.

Innovation Solution

An evaluation unit determines the degree of instantaneous overlap between the optical zone and the refractive correction structure using recorded images, allowing for adjustments in irradiation control data and positioning to ensure complete coverage of the optical zone, which can be manually or automatically corrected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the surgical structure is positioned based on standard positioning methods, then the treatment can be completed with standard procedures, but the coverage of the optical zone may be insufficient especially in low light environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevision correction qualityVSAvoidoptical zone coverage accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the pupil's position and size through imaging, calculating the overlap between the surgical structure and optical zone, and using this information to adjust the surgical structure positioning to ensure complete coverage of the optical zone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment of the overlap between the surgical structure and optical zone before finalizing the treatment plan, allowing for adjustments to be made in advance to ensure proper coverage under varying lighting conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the surgical structure is enlarged to ensure complete coverage of the optical zone, then vision correction quality improves, but the treatment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical zone coverageVSAvoidtreatment duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the surgical structure parameters based on real-time pupil measurements and overlap calculations, optimizing the structure size to achieve complete optical zone coverage while minimizing treatment time through automated adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If manual adjustment of the surgical structure is performed to ensure complete optical zone coverage, then treatment accuracy improves, but the complexity of the procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical structure positioning accuracyVSAvoidprocedure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically calculating the required surgical structure modifications based on pupil measurements and overlap assessments, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining high positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 improves the accuracy and effectiveness of refractive treatments by ensuring complete coverage of the optical zone, reducing the likelihood of impaired vision and shortening treatment duration, even in low light conditions.

Implementation Method 1

A corresponding femtosecond laser system is described in WO 2008/064771 A1. Here, the ablation of stromal tissue required for a refractive correction is separated by a double laser incision to prepare a lenticule.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotodisruption: Photoionisation

Implementation Method 2

deep incisions are made in stromal tissue with a femtosecond laser to create a contiguous cavity, specifically a cylindrical shape, without ablating tissue. As the cavity collapses, the reduction in tissue strength and intraocular pressure causes the cornea to relax and assume a new shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCavitation: Cavitation

Implementation Method 3

the ablation of stromal tissue required for a refractive correction is separated by a double laser incision

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAblation: Ablation

Implementation Method 4

a detection device for recording an image of at least part of the eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage recording: Photography

Implementation Method 5

a light source for illuminating at least the part of the eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2549964B1Ophthalmological laser treatment device
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
  • EP2549964B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2549964B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2549964B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A surgical structure to be introduced into the eye by means of an excimer or femtosecond laser must be positioned exactly in the co-ordinate system of the laser. By recording monitoring images and comparing the actual position and the desired position of the pupil it is possible to detect a movement of the structure and/or the patient in order to compensate for deviations. Nevertheless a suboptimal treatment can take place, after which vision is not optimal, in particular in dark environments. The invention is intended to enable improved vision after laser treatments. For this purpose an evaluation unit is provided, which is designed to detect a degree of current overlap of an optical zone of the eye and the structure or at least a refractively correcting part of the structure with the aid of a recorded image. By the detection of the degree of overlap between the current optical zone and the structure to be introduced it is possible to control the coverage of the optical zone by the tissue volume specifically altered by means of laser processing and thus to enable maximum coverage.