Pulsed Laser Beam Scanning with Variable Acceleration Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser scanning systems face limitations in achieving faster scan rates due to mechanical restrictions, resulting in increased accelerations that complicate control accuracy and can lead to the formation of opaque bubble layers during ophthalmic procedures, affecting the precision and effectiveness of laser treatments.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method of scanning a pulsed laser beam using compound scan patterns with varying acceleration profiles, incorporating blanking to reduce accelerations and prevent the formation of opaque bubble layers, allowing for faster scan rates while maintaining control accuracy and reducing gas bubble accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If faster scan rates are used, then productivity is improved, but acceleration increases which complicates control accuracy and may cause harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scan pattern adaptable and variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the scan pattern parameters (amplitude, frequency, phase) in real-time to optimize performance. This allows the scanning system to maintain high scan rates while controlling acceleration profiles to prevent harmful effects and maintain control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the scan pattern including amplitude, frequency, and phase relationships between orthogonal scanning motions. By varying these parameters, the system can achieve faster effective scan rates while shaping the acceleration profile to reduce harmful effects. The compound scan pattern allows independent adjustment of parameters to balance productivity and control accuracy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If compound scan patterns are used to reduce acceleration, then harmful effects are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two or more simple scanning motions (typically orthogonal linear or circular scans) into a compound scan pattern. By combining these basic motions with different amplitudes, frequencies, and phases, the system achieves reduced acceleration effects without requiring complex mechanical structures. The mathematical combination of simple patterns creates the beneficial compound effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The scan control system is designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of generating various scan patterns (linear, circular, elliptical, compound) using the same hardware infrastructure. This software-based flexibility allows the system to adapt different scan patterns as needed without adding physical complexity, achieving acceleration reduction through programmable control rather than mechanical complexity.
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 enables more precise and efficient scanning with reduced acceleration effects, minimizing the formation of opaque bubble layers and improving the accuracy of ophthalmic procedures by maintaining or reducing acceleration associated with scanning, thus enhancing the precision and effectiveness of laser treatments.
Implementation Method 1
One example of photoalteration using pulsed laser beams is the photodisruption (e.g., via laser induced optical breakdown) of a material. Scanning an ultra-short wavelength pulsed laser beam over the cornea of a patient's eye creates contiguous small bubbles that expand to form a resection plane for the flap.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of photoaltering a region of a material using a pulsed laser beam. The method includes scanning the pulsed laser beam in a first portion of the region with a first pattern, scanning the pulsed laser beam in a second portion of the region with a second pattern, and separating a flap of the material at the region. The system includes a laser, a controller selecting at least first and second patterns, and a scanner operable in response to the controller. The first pattern has a first maximum acceleration associated with the second portion, and the second pattern has a second maximum acceleration associated with the second portion. The second maximum acceleration is less than the first maximum acceleration. The scanner scans the pulsed laser beam from the laser in the first portion with the first pattern and in the second portion with the second pattern.