OCT-guided laser scanner alignment for eye surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser treatment systems for eye diseases face challenges in maintaining precise alignment of treatment laser radiation with eye structures, particularly during periods without OCT imaging, leading to potential misalignments due to eye movements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a handpiece with markings imaged by an OCT module to determine relative positions, allowing for precise actuation of a scanning laser scanner to ensure accurate focus placement on eye structures, even when the OCT module and laser treatment device are freely movable relative to each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If OCT imaging is used to monitor focus position, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity is worsened due to intermittent monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of the focus position by continuously imaging the markings on the contact lens with the OCT scanner. This eliminates the intermittent nature of previous monitoring methods, ensuring that the focus position is constantly tracked without interruption to the treatment process, thereby maintaining both high measurement precision and treatment productivity
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid eye fixation is used to maintain alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation is worsened due to patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the OCT scanner continuously images markings on the contact lens to determine the actual position of the eye. This position information is fed back to the control device, which then adjusts the laser scanner's aiming to compensate for eye movements. This closed-loop feedback system maintains precise alignment without requiring rigid eye fixation, thereby improving patient comfort while preserving alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical constraint of rigid eye fixation with an optical-mechanical feedback system. Instead of physically restraining the eye, the system uses OCT imaging to detect eye position and automatically adjusts the laser scanning mirrors to track eye movements. This substitution eliminates the need for uncomfortable mechanical fixation while maintaining treatment precision
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate scanners are used for treatment laser and OCT imaging, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the treatment laser scanner and OCT scanner into a single integrated scanner that performs both functions. The scanner is configured to alternate between guiding treatment laser radiation and guiding OCT imaging beams, or to simultaneously perform both functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate scanner mechanisms while maintaining the adaptability of independent scanning control through software coordination, thereby reducing device complexity without sacrificing versatility
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 enables precise and continuous monitoring of the focus position, allowing for adjustments to be made in real-time, reducing the need for rigid eye fixation and improving the comfort and accuracy of laser surgery by compensating for eye movements during treatment.
Implementation Method 1
an OCT module with a controllable OCT scanner to image structures of the eye in a scanning manner
Implementation Method 2
a controllable laser scanner to guide the treatment laser radiation over the eye in a scanning manner
Implementation Method 3
Treatment laser radiation is focused into the eye of the patient in order to produce cuts at predefined locations
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting a scanning laser-treatment device to an eye, including: using a laser-treatment device for emitting treatment laser radiation, a handpiece into which the radiation is coupled and having multiple markings and an outlet end for emitting the radiation into the eye, and a laser scanner arranged between a radiation source and the outlet end; using an OCT module with a scanner to image eye structures, the handpiece and the module being movable relative to each other in a first state, and the handpiece coupling to the module to image the eye through the outlet end; imaging the markings and ascertaining a first relative position between the markings and the OCT scanner; imaging an eye structure using the module through the handpiece and outlet end, and ascertaining a second relative position; and generating signals to actuate the laser scanner based on the first and the second relative positions.