OCT-Guided Ophthalmic Laser Alignment Using a Calibration Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-guided laser beam delivery systems for ophthalmic surgical procedures, such as laser vitreolysis, fail to provide satisfactory accuracy and precision due to inherent variations in eye optical properties and complex registration techniques.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic laser surgical system that integrates an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device, a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) device, and a laser-OCT xy-scanner, with a beam combining and alignment device, to co-register imaging and laser beams using a calibration pattern, enabling precise alignment and delivery of the laser beam to the target.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image-guided laser beam delivery techniques are used, then laser delivery accuracy is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to variations in eye optical properties
Solution Approach 1:
A calibration pattern is introduced as an intermediary object placed at the treatment location within the eye. The imaging system captures images of this calibration pattern to establish a reference coordinate system, which serves as a mediator between the imaging system and the laser delivery system. This allows accurate mapping of laser beam positions to anatomical locations despite variations in eye optical properties, thereby maintaining both measurement precision and reliability
2Measurement precision
If complex registration techniques are used, then alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration pattern is positioned and imaged before laser treatment begins. The imaging system captures images of the calibration pattern to pre-establish the coordinate system and alignment relationships. This preliminary action simplifies subsequent laser delivery by providing a ready-made reference framework, avoiding the need for complex real-time registration techniques during the actual treatment
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 achieves accurate and precise delivery of the laser beam to the target, minimizing retinal tissue damage and ensuring ocular safety by compensating for optical distortions and variations in the eye.
Implementation Method 1
an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device that directs an OCT imaging beam along an imaging beam path towards the calibration pattern, receives the OCT imaging beam reflected from the calibration pattern, and generates an OCT image of the calibration pattern from the reflected OCT imaging beam
Implementation Method 2
The laser device directs the laser beam along towards a laser xy-location of the calibration pattern to yield a mark at the laser xy-location
Implementation Method 3
The beam combining and alignment device aligns the OCT imaging beam and the laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, an ophthalmic laser surgical system for imaging and treating a target in an eye includes an imaging system with an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device that directs an OCT imaging beam along an imaging beam path towards the target in the eye, and generates OCT images from the OCT imaging beam reflected from the eye. The beam combining and alignment device aligns the OCT imaging beam and the laser beam. The laser-OCT xy-scanner: receives the OCT imaging beam from the imaging system, directs the OCT imaging beam along the imaging beam path towards the eye, and scans the OCT imaging beam in an xy-plane in the eye; and receives the laser beam from the laser device, directs the laser beam along the laser beam path aligned with the imaging beam path towards the eye, and scans the laser beam in the xy-plane in the eye.