Ophthalmic Laser Scanning Focus Position Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laser devices used in ophthalmic surgery face challenges in ensuring precise positioning of the radiation focus, especially when aging or non-use results in deviations between target and actual settings, which can be critical when working with living tissue like human eye tissue, as repeated machining is not feasible.

Innovation Solution

A test run is conducted with the laser source switched off, using a predetermined test scan pattern to check the scanning components' precision by stopping at discrete target focus positions and measuring the actual focus positions, ensuring accuracy and allowing for corrective measures before actual laser processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a test run is conducted with the laser source switched off to check scanning precision, then positioning accuracy can be verified, but processing time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a test run with the laser source switched off before actual laser processing to verify scanning precision. This preliminary check ensures that all scanning components are functioning correctly and that the radiation focus can be positioned accurately at target positions throughout the scan field, preventing positioning errors during actual surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the laser source is switched on during scanning, then actual laser processing can be performed, but positioning deviations may cause harmful effects on living tissue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidtissue damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs a preliminary test run with the laser source switched off to verify scanning precision before actual laser processing. This ensures that all scanning components are functioning correctly and positioning is accurate, eliminating the risk of tissue damage from positioning deviations during actual surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs measuring components to detect the actual position of the radiation focus at multiple target positions throughout the scan field. The control arrangement compares actual positions with target positions to verify positioning accuracy, providing feedback that confirms the scanning system is functioning correctly before laser processing begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple target focus positions are tested, then comprehensive scanning accuracy can be verified, but the test duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning accuracyVSAvoidtest duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the scan field into multiple discrete target focus positions distributed throughout the available scanning area. By testing at these segmented positions rather than continuously, the system efficiently verifies scanning accuracy across the entire field while keeping the test duration manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2648666B1Laser arrangement, in particular for ophthalmological laser surgery
Publication Date: 2017.01.25 WAVELIGHT AG
  • EP2648666B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a laser arrangement, in particular for ophthalmological laser surgery, comprising a laser source (14) for producing laser radiation, controllable scanning components (20) for adjusting a focus position of the laser radiation, measuring components (30) for detecting information which is representative of an actual position of the radiation focus, and a control arrangement (22) controlling the laser source and the scanning components. According to the invention, the control arrangement is configured to carry out a test run of at least some of the scanning components according to a predetermined test scanning pattern when the laser source is switched off, the test scanning pattern representing a plurality of discrete rated focus positions to be moved to in succession, and the control arrangement being configured to stop the scanning movement of the scanning components for each of the rated focus positions and, in association with each of the rated focus positions, to determine an actual focus position on the basis of the measuring component information detected. The rated focus positions are preferably arranged at the edge of a given maximum scanning field.