Phase-Modulated Laser Vitreolysis Through Multifocal IOLs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) disperse and reduce laser energy intended for treating eye floaters, potentially causing laser energy to reach the retina, complicating laser vitreolysis procedures.

Innovation Solution

A phase modulator is used to add a phase profile to the laser beam that compensates for the phase shift caused by the IOL, ensuring the laser beam focuses at a single focal point by inverting the IOL's phase shift, allowing effective treatment of floaters without retinal damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) is used to improve vision at multiple distances, then the IOL provides extended depth of focus, but the IOL disperses and reduces laser energy intended for treating eye floaters, potentially causing laser energy to reach the retina

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextended depth of focusVSAvoidlaser energy dispersion to retina

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The phase modulator applies a preliminary phase shift to the laser beam before it enters the eye, which counteracts the phase shift introduced by the multifocal IOL. This pre-compensation ensures that the laser energy remains focused on the intended target (floaters) rather than being dispersed to the retina, thus preventing harmful effects while preserving the IOL's multifocal functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The phase modulator acts as an intermediary optical element between the laser source and the patient's eye. It modifies the laser beam's phase profile to compensate for the IOL's effect, serving as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of maintaining focused laser energy for treatment while respecting the IOL's phase-shifting properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the laser beam is directed through the IOL to treat floaters, then the treatment can proceed, but the IOL's phase shift causes the laser energy to disperse and potentially reach the retina

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloater treatment capabilityVSAvoidlaser energy focusing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation and application of the compensating phase shift using the phase modulator before the laser beam enters the eye. This advance preparation ensures that when the laser passes through the IOL, the combined phase shifts result in proper focusing on the floaters, maintaining both treatment effectiveness and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses wavefront propagation theory to calculate the appropriate phase compensation, creating a feedback loop where the known IOL phase shift characteristics are used to determine the necessary compensating phase shift. This ensures accurate and reliable laser focusing despite the presence of the multifocal IOL

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 system enables precise targeting of eye floaters while maintaining focused laser energy, effectively breaking up floaters without dispersing energy to the retina, thus improving surgical efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

The phase modulator has a phase front that yields a first phase shift of the laser beam that changes to a second phase shift when the laser beam reaches the IOL

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

The computer may calculate the first phase shift from the second phase shift by determining how the first phase shift changes between the phase modulator and the IOL according to wavefront propagation theory

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavefront propagation:

Implementation Method 3

The IOL has a phase profile that yields an IOL phase shift of light entering the eye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 4

a laser beam is directed into the vitreous to disintegrate eye floaters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 5

The laser beam may be used to remove the floaters, thus improving vision

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotodissociation: Photodissociation

Data Source

PatentUS12564518B2Performing laser vitreolysis on an eye with an intraocular lens

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 ALCON INC

AI summary

In certain embodiments, an ophthalmic laser system includes a laser device and a computer, where the laser device includes a laser and a phase modulator. The laser device directs a laser beam towards a target in an eye, where an intraocular lens (IOL) is disposed within the eye. The IOL has a phase profile that yields an IOL phase shift of light entering the eye. The laser generates the laser beam. The phase modulator has a phase front that yields a first phase shift of the laser beam that changes to a second phase shift when the laser beam reaches the IOL. The second phase shift is an inverse to the IOL phase shift.