Ophthalmological Laser Scanner Tilting Scanning Line

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ophthalmological devices using pulsed laser beams struggle to make tissue cuts with a vertical cut component due to the slow vertical movement of the projection optical unit, which is inadequate for cuts with a variable depth of focus.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an optical element upstream of the projection optical unit that generates divergence of the laser beam dependent on the scanning angle, allowing for tilting of the scanning line without vertical displacement of the projection optical unit, using elements like wedge plates, prisms, lenses, or diffractive optical elements, and adjustable configurations to achieve this.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the projection optical unit is vertically displaced to make cuts with a vertical cut component, then the depth of focus can be varied, but the vertical movement speed is too slow for making cuts with a vertical component

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to make cuts with vertical componentVSAvoidvertical movement speed of projection optical unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical vertical movement of the projection optical unit with an optical solution. An optical element (such as a wedge plate, prism, or lens) is introduced into the beam path to generate beam divergence that is dependent on the scanning angle. This optical mechanism achieves the same functional effect of varying focus depth without requiring mechanical displacement of the projection optical unit, thereby eliminating the speed limitation of mechanical movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of beam divergence to achieve the desired functional effect. By introducing an optical element that modifies beam divergence based on scanning angle, the system achieves variable depth of focus through optical parameter adjustment rather than mechanical position change. This allows the focus depth to be controlled dynamically during scanning without moving the projection optical unit vertically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If an optical element is introduced to generate divergence dependent on scanning angle, then vertical displacement of projection optical unit is eliminated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical movement speedVSAvoidcomplexity of optical system

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs simple, readily available optical elements such as wedge plates, prisms, or lenses that can be easily integrated into the existing optical path. These are basic optical components rather than complex assemblies, making the solution practical and cost-effective while adding minimal complexity to the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Enables precise tissue cuts with a vertical component without vertical displacement of the projection optical unit, allowing for targeted tilting of the scanning line and focus displacement, enhancing the capability to make cuts with variable depth of focus.

Implementation Method 1

at least one optical element is disposed upstream of the projection optical unit, which optical element is designed to generate a divergence of the laser beam, said divergence being dependent on the scanning angle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam divergence:

Implementation Method 2

The deflection of the light beams or of the laser pulses, for example femtosecond laser pulses, is generally performed by means of movable mirrors which are pivotable about one or two scanning axes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight deflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a projection optical unit for the focused projection of the laser beam or of the laser pulses into the eye tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight focusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentUS8992020B2Device for processing eye tissue by means of a pulsed laser beam

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 SIE SURGICAL INSTR ENG

AI summary

An ophthalmological device (1) for processing eye tissue includes a projection optical unit for focused projection of a laser beam (L) into the eye tissue, and a scanner system upstream of the projection optical unit for beam-deflecting scanning of the eye tissue with the laser beam (L) in a scanning movement (s') performed over a scanning angle along a scanning line(s). The ophthalmological device includes at least one optical element upstream of the projection optical unit, the optical element configured to generate a divergence—dependent on the scanning angle—of the laser beam (L), the scanning line(s) tilted in a plane running through the optical axis of the projection optical unit and the scanning line(s). Tilting of the scanning line(s)displaces—dependent on the scanning angle—the focus of the laser pulses projected into the eye tissue without vertical displacement of the projection optical unit.