Ophthalmic Laser Precompensator for Lens Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser systems for ophthalmic surgery, particularly those using femtosecond pulses, face challenges in precision and control due to significant optical distortions and aberrations when scanning and focusing the laser beam across the anterior segment of the eye, especially for procedures involving the crystalline lens, which requires a deeper and more extensive depth range than corneal surgeries.
Innovation Solution
The development of a laser delivery system that employs high numerical aperture optics, adaptive optics, and a precompensator to correct spherical aberrations, combined with advanced imaging systems like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for precise three-dimensional targeting, and adjustable beam parameters to maintain energy density and precision across the extended depth range of the lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If femtosecond laser pulses are used for lens surgery, then precision and safety are improved, but optical distortions and aberrations worsen when scanning across the extended depth range
Solution Approach 1:
The precompensator is positioned in the optical path before the laser beam enters the eye to pre-correct wavefront aberrations. This preliminary correction compensates for optical distortions that will occur during beam propagation through the extended depth range, maintaining precision without requiring post-correction adjustments during surgery
2Manufacturing precision
If high numerical aperture optics are used to maintain energy density, then surgical precision is improved, but optical aberrations increase across the extended depth range
Solution Approach 1:
The precompensator introduces a wavefront correction that is the opposite of the expected spherical aberration. By applying this preliminary anti-action before the beam enters the high numerical aperture optics, the system maintains both high energy density and minimal aberrations throughout the extended depth range of lens surgery
3Adaptability or versatility
If the laser focus depth range is extended to cover the crystalline lens, then versatility for lens surgery is improved, but optical distortion and loss of precision worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The precompensator performs preliminary wavefront correction for the entire extended depth range before the beam enters the eye. This allows the system to maintain precise focusing across the full depth range required for lens surgery, from the anterior to posterior capsule, without the precision degradation that would normally occur with such an extended working distance
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 system achieves high precision and control by minimizing aberrations and maintaining energy density across the extended depth range, enabling safer and more precise surgical procedures on the crystalline lens with reduced risk of unwanted outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a precompensator to correct spherical aberrations
Implementation Method 2
laser pulses to optically fragment the lens without insertion of a probe and thus can offer the potential for improved lens removal. Laser-induced photodisruption has been widely used in laser ophthalmic surgery
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A laser system for ophthalmic surgery includes a laser source to generate a pulsed laser beam, an XY scanner to receive the pulsed laser beam and to output an XY-scanning beam, scanned in two directions transverse to a Z direction, a Z scanner in a scanner housing to receive the XY-scanning beam and to output an XYZ-scanning beam scanned additionally in the Z direction, a mirror to deflect the XYZ-scanning beam received from the Z scanner, and an objective, in an objective housing, to receive the deflected XYZ-scanning beam and to focus the received XYZ-scanning beam onto a target region, wherein the scanner housing is separate from the objective housing.