Ophthalmic Laser Beam Path Feedback for Drift-Free Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ophthalmological laser treatment devices face challenges in accurately focusing laser beams due to movable application heads and thermal drift, leading to errors in beam characteristics, particularly when using rotatable, telescopic, or articulated arms, which require manual calibration and are prone to mechanical tolerances.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmological laser treatment device equipped with a laser beam monitor, a light signal source, and a control module that uses a photodetector array to determine signal characteristics of a light signal traveling through the beam path, allowing for real-time adjustment and control of the treatment laser beam to maintain accuracy and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an arm (rotatable, telescopic, or articulated) is used to connect the base station and application head, then the application head can be moved to different positions, but mechanical movements and thermal drift cause changes in laser beam characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a light signal source emits a signal through the arm, and a photodetector array detects the signal characteristics after transmission. The control module receives this feedback and adjusts the laser beam parameters to compensate for drift and mechanical tolerances, maintaining accurate focusing despite arm movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical coupling with an optical feedback system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical precision of the arm, the system uses light signal transmission through the arm and photodetector detection to sense and compensate for mechanical variations, substituting mechanical precision requirements with optical measurement and active control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the application head is movable, then treatment can be applied to different locations, but the beam path becomes non-static leading to thermal drift and mechanical tolerance errors
Solution Approach 1:
The control module continuously receives feedback from the photodetector array about light signal characteristics traveling through the arm. Based on this real-time feedback, the system adjusts laser beam parameters to compensate for thermal drift and mechanical tolerances, maintaining reliable focusing across different treatment locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration by transmitting a light signal through the arm before actual treatment. The photodetector array measures the light signal characteristics in advance, allowing the control module to pre-compensate for expected drift and tolerance errors before delivering the treatment laser beam.
3Measurement precision
If manual calibration using an external grid target is used, then beam positioning can be adjusted, but the process requires manual intervention and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by using its own light signal source and photodetector array to automatically measure and compensate for beam positioning errors. The control module autonomously processes the photodetector signals and adjusts the beam without requiring manual placement of grid targets or human intervention, making the calibration process rapid and automated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical calibration process with an automated optical measurement system. Instead of manually positioning grid targets and mechanically adjusting components, the system uses light signal transmission and photodetector detection to automatically sense and correct positioning errors, eliminating manual intervention and reducing calibration time.
4Manufacturing precision
If a photodetector array is used to monitor light signal characteristics, then real-time control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light signal source and photodetector array serve multiple functions: they monitor beam positioning, detect thermal drift, measure mechanical tolerance variations, and provide feedback for active compensation. This multi-functionality justifies the added components by having them perform several measurement and control tasks simultaneously rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
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 solution ensures precise control of the laser beam position, orientation, power, and pulse energy, reducing errors caused by mechanical movements and thermal changes, thereby enhancing the accuracy and safety of ophthalmological treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a photodetector array arranged to receive a light signal generated by the light signal source, the light signal having traveled through the arm along the beam path
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
An ophthalmological laser treatment device (1) and methods are disclosed, the ophthalmological laser treatment device (1) comprising: a base station (2) having a treatment laser source (21), an application head (3), and an arm (4) configured to provide a beam path for the treatment laser beam; wherein the ophthalmological laser treatment device (1) includes a laser beam monitor (5), a light signal source (6), and a control module (7), the laser beam monitor (5) arranged to receive a light signal generated by the light signal source (6), the light signal having traveled through the arm (4) along the beam path; wherein the control module (7) is configured to control the ophthalmological laser treatment device (1) using signal characteristics of the light signal.