Near-Infrared Alignment Pattern for Ophthalmic Laser Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic photomedicine techniques using visible wavelength aiming beams for laser treatment procedures can increase patient anxiety and pose safety and discomfort issues, as the alignment pattern is visible to the patient.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a near-infrared (NIR) alignment wavelength generated by an alignment laser source, which forms an alignment pattern projected only onto the target tissue of the eye, invisible to the patient, using a micro-display projector and beam-splitter optics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a visible wavelength aiming beam is used to generate an alignment pattern, then the physician can accurately align the treatment beam, but the patient sees the alignment pattern which increases patient anxiety and poses safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the aiming beam from visible range (400-700 nm) to near-infrared range (700-1400 nm). This parameter change allows the alignment pattern to remain visible to the physician through infrared detection while becoming invisible to the patient, thereby maintaining alignment accuracy while eliminating patient anxiety and safety risks associated with visible light exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary infrared detection system that allows the physician to visualize the alignment pattern without the patient seeing it. The infrared beam serves as a mediator between the treatment laser and the patient's eye, enabling precise alignment while avoiding the harmful effects of visible light on the patient's vision and psychology.
2Measurement precision
If a visible alignment pattern is projected onto the patient's eye, then the physician can verify target alignment, but the irradiance in the patient's eye is higher than in the physician's eye causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the light wavelength parameter from visible to near-infrared, which fundamentally alters how the light interacts with ocular tissues. The infrared wavelength reduces the irradiance concentration in the patient's eye while maintaining sufficient signal strength for the physician's detection system, thereby verifying target alignment without causing eye discomfort or safety issues.
3Measurement precision
If the patient's gaze is fixed on the visible aiming beam during macula treatment, then the patient can maintain eye position, but unintended destruction of central vision may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the aiming beam wavelength to near-infrared, making it invisible to the patient. This eliminates the risk of the patient inadvertently fixing their gaze on the visible beam during macula treatment, while infrared detection systems maintain eye position stability through alternative monitoring methods that do not rely on patient visual fixation.
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
This approach eliminates the need for superimposed target patterns on the patient's eye, reducing patient anxiety and associated safety and discomfort issues, while allowing the physician to accurately align the treatment beam.
Implementation Method 1
an alignment laser source is configured to generate a near-infrared (NIR) alignment wavelength for forming an alignment pattern for projection on a target tissue of the eye
Implementation Method 2
a first optical element is configured to direct light from a light source upon an organic object, illustratively, the eye of an individual
Implementation Method 3
A third optical element is configured to (i) receive reflected light from the eye resulting from the light directed upon the eye;
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic illumination method and system with a head-up display imaging system is provided wherein a therapeutic light is generated by a first laser light source configured to generate therapeutic light and a near-infrared wavelength of an alignment pattern is generated by a second laser light source, where the therapeutic light is directed upon an eye to be examined or treated in accordance with the alignment pattern.