Ophthalmological Laser Scanner for Dynamic Lenticule Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmological laser systems struggle to make precise and flexible cuts in eye tissue, particularly when cutting lenticules with angled or curved surfaces, due to limitations in focal depth adjustment and alignment, leading to errors and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmological apparatus with a laser source, focusing optical unit, and scanner system that includes a measurement system for capturing tissue structures and a circuit to control the scanner, allowing for dynamic adjustment of cut trajectories and focal depth to match the actual shape of the lenticule, enabling precise cuts with adaptable form and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If vertical focal displacement is used to adjust cut height, then the focal depth can be changed, but the cutting speed becomes too slow to match horizontal cutting speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scan line tilt angle adjustable and modifiable during the cutting process. The tilt angle is dynamically changed based on the required focal depth, allowing the cut height to be adjusted without slow mechanical displacement. This enables the cutting speed to match the horizontal scanning speed while achieving the required vertical focal displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the vertical focal adjustment problem into an angular dimension problem. Instead of moving the focus vertically through mechanical displacement, the scan line is tilted at a specific angle relative to the horizontal work plane. This angular adjustment in a different dimension achieves the same effect of changing focal depth while maintaining high cutting speed.
2Device complexity
If fixed horizontal scan lines are used, then the scanning system is simple, but the cuts cannot be properly matched to lenticule surfaces with varying curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the scan line tilt angle dynamic and adjustable based on the local curvature of the lenticule surface. The tilt angle is modified according to the required focal depth at each position, allowing the cut to follow the contours of the lenticule surface accurately while maintaining a relatively simple scanner system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of scan line tilt angle to adapt to varying lenticule surface curvatures. By modifying this angular parameter dynamically, the system achieves precise matching between cuts and lenticule surfaces without requiring complex mechanical displacement systems.
3Productivity
If straight-line fast scan lines are overlaid on curved work lines, then scanning speed is maintained, but cuts deviate from desired surface curvature causing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the tilt angle of the fast scan lines based on the local curvature requirements of the work lines. This allows the high-speed straight-line scanning to be angled appropriately at each position, enabling the laser to follow curved lenticule surfaces accurately while maintaining high scanning speed throughout the process.
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 apparatus achieves flexible and precise cutting of lenticules with varying surface curvatures, reducing errors and the need for vertical focal displacements, thereby improving the accuracy and speed of tissue cuts.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source for producing a pulsed laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a focusing optical unit for focusing the pulsed laser beam into the eye tissue
Data Source
AI summary
For the purposes of working on eye tissue, an ophthalmological apparatus comprises a laser source that is configured to produce a pulsed laser beam, a focusing optical unit that is configured to focus the pulsed laser beam into the eye tissue, a scanner system for deflecting the pulsed laser beam onto work target points in the eye tissue, and a measurement system for optically capturing structures in the eye tissue. A circuit controls the measurement system in such a way that the latter captures a cut first outer face of a lenticule to be cut. The circuit controls the scanner system in such a way that the latter guides the pulsed laser beam onto work target points on a second outer face, positioned in relation to the captured first outer face, of the lenticule to be cut, in order to cut the second outer face of the lenticule.