Laser Treatment Pattern Optimization for Eye Therapy

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laser-based eye treatments face challenges in accurately positioning laser treatment beams for sub-visible lesions and patterned treatments, as physicians rely on visible lesions for positioning and must pre-determine patterns, limiting the ability to treat sub-visible or patterned areas effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system that determines a recommended pattern of laser treatment beam spots based on user-provided parameters, using a reference database of laser treatment parameters and associated lesion sizes, allowing for interpolation to calculate the expected lesion size and spacing, enabling precise application of multiple lesions over a desired area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If physicians use visible lesions for positioning subsequent laser applications, then positioning accuracy is improved, but treatment of sub-visible lesions and patterned treatments is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidtreatment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of expected lesion sizes based on laser parameters before treatment. A reference database stores pre-measured lesion sizes for various laser settings, allowing the system to predict lesion dimensions and determine optimal spot patterns in advance, enabling both sub-visible and patterned treatments without relying on visible lesions for positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary computational system that acts as a mediator between laser parameters and lesion outcomes. This system uses a reference database and interpolation algorithms to translate laser settings into expected lesion sizes, providing a predictive model that guides spot pattern determination without requiring direct visual feedback from previous lesions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If physicians pre-determine pattern of laser spots, then treatment efficiency is improved, but ability to treat sub-visible areas is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidsub-visible lesion capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of expected lesion sizes based on laser parameters before treatment. A reference database stores pre-measured lesion sizes for various laser settings, allowing the system to predict lesion dimensions and determine optimal spot patterns in advance, enabling both sub-visible and patterned treatments without relying on visible lesions for positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the predicted lesion size from the reference database informs the determination of subsequent spot patterns. This predictive feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize treatment patterns for sub-visible lesions while maintaining treatment efficiency, as the expected outcomes guide the treatment plan without requiring visual confirmation of each previous lesion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Area of stationary object

If multiple laser applications are applied to cover desired area, then treatment coverage is improved, but treatment precision is reduced due to manual positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment coverageVSAvoidlesion placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of expected lesion sizes based on laser parameters before treatment. A reference database stores pre-measured lesion sizes for various laser settings, allowing the system to predict lesion dimensions and determine optimal spot patterns in advance, enabling both sub-visible and patterned treatments without relying on visible lesions for positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical positioning method with a computational system. Instead of physicians manually calculating and positioning each laser spot based on visual feedback, the system uses automated calculations based on a reference database to determine optimal spot patterns, thereby improving precision while maintaining coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 accurate and efficient application of both visible and sub-visible lesions, as well as patterned treatments, by determining the optimal number and spacing of laser spots, improving treatment precision and coverage without relying on pre-existing lesion positioning.

Implementation Method 1

laser-based interventional treatments of the eye... application of laser energy in the form of a laser treatment beam... to create visible or sub-visible lesions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotothermal conversion: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2739229B1Optimization of laser therapy

Publication Date: 2017.03.22 TOPCON MEDICAL LASER SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

Systems and processes for the optimization of laser treatment of an eye are disclosed. The process can include receiving a set of parameters of a laser treatment (e.g., an aerial beam size, contact lens, pulse duration, and the desired clinical grade), determining an estimated size of a lesion to be generated by the laser treatment beam, receiving a lesion pattern density (e.g., full grid, mild grid, or other), and determining a recommended pattern of laser treatment beam spots. The recommended pattern of laser treatment beam spots may include a recommended number of laser treatment spots and a spacing between the spots.