Microscope-Integrated Laser Delivery for Precise Eye Incisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser systems for eye surgery, particularly cataract surgery, face challenges in achieving precise laser incisions and capsulotomies due to high complexity, cost, and logistical issues with patient interfaces, and require repositioning the patient under a surgical microscope, leading to time delays and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A laser delivery system integrated with a surgical microscope that allows for precise laser incisions and capsulotomies without a patient interface, enabling seamless integration with standard surgical setups, and includes features like motorized movement, diagnostic modules, and active stabilization to enhance precision and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a separate laser system with patient interface is used for eye surgery, then precise laser incisions can be achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the laser delivery system with the surgical microscope into a single integrated unit. The laser source, scanning mirrors, focusing optics, and microscope are merged into one system, eliminating the need for separate laser equipment and patient interfaces. This integration maintains precise laser incision capability while significantly reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions through a single device: it provides both optical imaging through the microscope and precise laser delivery for incisions and capsulotomies. The system can switch between diagnostic/imaging mode and treatment mode, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for each function.
2Reliability
If patient repositioning under surgical microscope is required, then standard surgical procedures can be followed, but time delays and logistical issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the laser delivery system with the surgical microscope, the patent eliminates the need to reposition the patient between laser treatment and microscopic examination. The combined system allows the surgeon to perform laser incisions, capsulotomies, and visual inspections continuously without moving the patient, maintaining procedural reliability while eliminating time delays.
3Manufacturing precision
If high powered femtosecond oscillator with high pulse rates is used, then photochemical induced decomposition can be achieved, but the pulse energy increases and cavitation bubble size increases reducing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls laser pulse parameters, using lower pulse energies (10 nJ to 800 nJ) with appropriately selected pulse durations to achieve photochemical induced decomposition and thermoelastic disruption. By optimizing the balance between pulse energy and duration, the system achieves precise tissue decomposition while minimizing cavitation bubble formation and associated shock waves that could damage surrounding tissues.
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 provides precise laser incisions and capsulotomies with reduced complexity and cost, allowing for integrated surgical procedures without the need for patient repositioning, thereby improving surgical efficiency and reducing complications.
Implementation Method 1
The optical breakdown (photodisruptive breakdown) creates a micro plasma followed by a small cavitation bubble. This photodisruption of tissue can be used to cut and dissect tissue areas of any size and shapes by scanning a sequence of many such laser pulses over a desired volume in the eye.
Implementation Method 2
This class of femtosecond lasers-tissue interaction that work below the optical (photodisruptive) breakdown threshold and destroy or rather decompose the tissue in the focus zone through a so called photochemical induced decomposition and thermoelastic disruption
Implementation Method 3
The laser pulses are always focused to a very small spot size in the range of 0.3 to 10 micrometers, so that a laser induced optical breakdown or a subthreshold effect is achieved in any tissue or liquid (e.g. aqueous humor) that falls within the spot size location.
Implementation Method 4
Priority is therefore given to minimizing the spot size to achieve an above threshold laser fluence while using laser pulses within a low pulse energy range of typically 0.15 (full angle Θ>15 deg) and in some optimized cases NA >0.3 or even NA >0.6 to get into the range of a 1 um spot size or smaller
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and system for improved laser eye surgery using photodisruptive laser pulses. A system for moving a femtosecond laser delivery head in a horizontal direction from a retracted position to an extended position over a patient.