Ophthalmological Laser Scanner With Orthogonal Pivot Axes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ophthalmological laser devices with galvanoscanners suffer from high inertia, low angular resolution, and increased complexity due to separate deflecting elements, leading to laser power losses and pincushion distortion in treatment patterns.
Innovation Solution
A compact ophthalmological laser device with a scanner featuring a deflecting element pivotable about two orthogonal axes, actuated by piezoelectric, electromagnetic, or electrostatic actuators, providing high angular resolution and low inertia, and a closed-loop control system for precise beam deflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a galvanoscanner is used for beam deflection, then the laser device can achieve dynamic beam steering, but the system suffers from high inertia and low angular resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical galvanoscanner system with a magnetic field-based deflection system. Electromagnetic actuators generate magnetic fields that directly interact with the deflecting element, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical moving parts. This substitution of mechanical actuation with electromagnetic actuation reduces inertia while enabling precise angular control through field modulation, thereby achieving both high-speed beam deflection and high angular resolution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate movable deflecting elements are used to achieve two-dimensional beam deflection, then the scanner can cover a larger area, but the device complexity increases and laser power losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of two separate deflecting elements into a single integrally formed deflecting element with two orthogonal pivot axes. This single element can be deflected in both x and y directions through coordinated actuation of the pivot mechanisms, achieving two-dimensional beam steering while reducing the number of discrete components, minimizing laser power losses from multiple reflections, and simplifying the overall scanner system architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two separate movable deflecting elements are used for x and y direction deflection, then the scanner achieves two-dimensional coverage, but pincushion distortion occurs in the generated laser pattern
Solution Approach 1:
By combining x and y deflection capabilities into a single deflecting element with orthogonal pivot axes, the patent eliminates the relative misalignment and cumulative geometric errors that occur with separate elements. The single element ensures consistent reflection geometry throughout the deflection range, maintaining pattern fidelity and eliminating pincushion distortion while still achieving comprehensive two-dimensional treatment coverage.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate deflecting elements are used, then the scanner achieves comprehensive beam coverage, but the size of the scanner system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple deflection functions into a single compact deflecting element structure with orthogonal pivot axes, eliminating the need for separate x and y scanner assemblies. This consolidation dramatically reduces the overall scanner system volume while maintaining the ability to achieve comprehensive two-dimensional beam deflection coverage through coordinated rotation about the two orthogonal axes.
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 enables precise, high-resolution laser beam deflection with minimal power loss and reduced distortion, improving the accuracy and efficiency of ophthalmological treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a deflecting element (221) pivotable about a first axis (A) and a second axis (B)... the deflecting element is able to deflect an incident treatment laser beam in two dimensions
Implementation Method 2
The scanner comprises two, three, or four piezoelectric actuators coupled to the deflecting element
Implementation Method 3
The scanner comprises two, three, or four electromagnetic actuators coupled to the deflecting element
Implementation Method 4
The scanner comprises two, three, or four electrostatic actuators coupled to the deflecting element
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmological laser device is disclosed, the ophthalmological laser device comprising: a base station having: a treatment laser source configured to generate a treatment laser beam, a scanner arranged in a beam path of the treatment laser beam, wherein the scanner comprises a deflecting element pivotable about two axes, wherein both axes lie in a virtual plane arranged substantially parallel to a deflecting plane of the deflecting element and the two axes are arranged orthogonal to each other; an application head; and an arm arranged between the base station and the application head.