OLCR Pachymeter for Laser Surgery Eye Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for precisely positioning patients during ophthalmological laser surgery are cumbersome, as they rely on visual cues from auxiliary light beams, making it difficult to accurately assess and correct deviations from the optimal working distance, leading to inefficient adjustment processes.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a coherent-optical interferometric measuring device, such as Optical Low-Coherence Reflectometry (OLCR), into a laser surgical device to measure the distance between the eye and the treatment laser beam's focal position, allowing for precise determination of deviations and automatic adjustment commands to ensure proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual cues from auxiliary light beams are used for positioning, then the positioning method is simple to implement, but the measurement precision and ability to quantitatively assess deviations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual positioning system (auxiliary light beams and manual observation) with an optical interferometric measurement system. The coherent-optical interferometric measuring device uses light interference patterns to automatically and precisely measure the distance between the eye and the treatment laser beam's focal position, eliminating the need for visual assessment by the physician.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system (interferometric device) between the patient positioning system and the treatment laser. This intermediary device provides quantitative distance measurements that mediate between the physical positioning and the laser treatment, enabling precise control without direct visual observation.
2Ease of operation
If iterative manual adjustments are made to achieve proper alignment, then the positioning can be achieved, but the loss of time and productivity is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the interferometric measuring device continuously monitors the distance between the eye and the laser focal position. The evaluation and control unit processes this measurement data and provides feedback to automatically adjust the patient positioning or laser parameters, eliminating the need for time-consuming iterative manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system performs self-adjustment through automated feedback control. The evaluation and control unit automatically processes measurement data and adjusts positioning parameters without requiring continuous manual intervention from the physician, making the system self-correcting and significantly reducing positioning time.
3Productivity
If the patient is incorrectly positioned, then the treatment can still be performed, but the manufacturing precision and treatment quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary positioning verification using the interferometric measuring device before initiating the laser treatment. The system measures and confirms the correct distance between the eye and the laser focal position in advance, ensuring that the treatment will be performed with the required precision. This preliminary check prevents incorrect positioning from compromising treatment quality.
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 solution simplifies and enhances the precision of patient positioning by providing quantitative feedback on deviations, reducing the need for iterative adjustments and ensuring accurate alignment before initiating laser treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a coherent-optical interferometric measuring device for measuring the distance of a specified measuring point or measuring area of an eye to be treated from a reference point that is known to be related to the focal position of the treatment laser beam
Implementation Method 2
an excimer laser beam source radiating in the UV wavelength range for emitting a focused treatment laser beam
Implementation Method 3
A photodisruptive or ablating interaction of the laser radiation with the treated tissue only occurs in the area of the beam focus
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A device for ophthalmologic, particularly refractive, laser surgery comprises a laser beam source (20) for emitting a focused treatment laser beam (200) and an optical coherence interferometric measuring apparatus (34), for example an OLCR pachymeter, for measuring the z-position of a predetermined point of an eye to be treated in the coordinate system of the laser surgery device. A processor (C) used as an evaluation and control unit is equipped to assess on the basis of the measured z-position as to whether a desired treatment location of the eye in the z-direction coincides with the focal plane of the treatment laser beam or is offset therefrom. Depending on whether or not the patient is correctly positioned with respect to the focal plane, the processor (C) can cause different reactions.