Nonlinear OCT Scanning for Ophthalmic Laser Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic surgical systems face challenges in achieving high precision during laser surgery due to misalignment of the target pattern with the eye's structures, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to surrounding tissues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of nonlinear scanning techniques, combined with imaging methods like optical coherence tomography (OCT), ultrasound, and microscopic imaging, to determine target region parameters and adjust surgical position parameters, ensuring precise alignment of the laser beam with the target tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional linear scanning methods are used for imaging target tissue, then the imaging process is simple and fast, but the alignment precision between the target pattern and eye structures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved scanning paths (arcs) instead of straight linear scans to match the spherical geometry of the eye. The nonlinear scanning follows arc trajectories that conform to the eye's curvature, enabling precise mapping of corneal and internal structures while maintaining accurate spatial relationships between different anatomical features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear scanning to two-dimensional arc-based scanning by introducing angular positioning as an additional dimension. This allows the system to capture depth information at multiple angular positions around the eye, creating a comprehensive three-dimensional map of target structures that improves alignment precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple scans are performed to improve target region parameter accuracy, then the measurement precision increases, but the surgical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary nonlinear scanning to map the eye's structures and determine target region parameters before the actual surgical intervention. This pre-mapping phase captures all necessary geometric and positional data, allowing the surgical system to be pre-configured with accurate alignment information, thereby eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the scan data to generate feedback about the eye's actual geometry and target structure positions. This feedback is processed to automatically adjust surgical parameters and refine the target pattern alignment, creating a closed-loop system that continuously optimizes precision without requiring multiple manual scanning passes during the procedure.
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 high-precision targeting and efficient ophthalmic surgery by accurately determining target region parameters and adjusting surgical positions in real-time, reducing the risk of tissue damage and improving surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The determining the depth includes imaging the eye target region with at least one of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) method
Implementation Method 2
The determining the depth includes imaging the eye target region with at least one of an ultrasound-based method
Implementation Method 3
The determining the depth includes imaging the eye target region with at least one of an interference based method
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques for laser surgery are described. Scan data may be created by determining a coordinate of the object at a set of points along an arc by the imaging system, wherein the coordinate of the object is a Z coordinate of an object layer. An object shape parameter and position parameter may be determined based on the scan data by a system control module by extracting an amplitude and a phase of the scan data determining a center of the object layer based on the extracted amplitude and phase.