Ophthalmic Docking System Lens Alignment via OCT Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic docking systems face challenges in precisely centering the patient interface with the eye, particularly due to the misalignment of the internal lens, which is difficult to visualize and align accurately, leading to potential misdirection of the laser beam during cataract surgery.
Innovation Solution
An imaging-guided docking system that utilizes an ophthalmic imaging system with an image processor to separate and present the shift and tilt of the lens in an intuitive manner, integrating this information into a single display for the surgeon, allowing for precise alignment and compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an OCT imaging system is used to image the lens, then the lens can be imaged efficiently, but the imaging process is slow and does not provide images fast enough for docking
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary full OCT imaging of the lens to obtain accurate location-orientation data, then uses this information to guide the docking process without requiring continuous high-speed imaging. The preliminary action provides sufficient information for the subsequent docking operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system conducts lens imaging and analysis before the actual docking process begins. The location-orientation analysis is performed in advance on the imaged lens, and the docking is then executed based on these pre-computed parameters, eliminating the need for real-time imaging during docking.
2Loss of information
If the surgeon manually analyzes incongruent images to determine lens shift and tilt, then alignment information can be obtained, but the complexity of analyzing increases and precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary computational module that automatically processes the OCT images and calculates the lens location and orientation parameters. This intermediary translates the complex image data into simple, actionable docking parameters, reducing the complexity for the surgeon while maintaining information accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the manual mechanical analysis process with an automated computational analysis system. The image processor automatically determines lens shift and tilt from the OCT images, substituting the surgeon's manual measurement and calculation work with an automated algorithmic process.
3Ease of operation
If the patient interface is centered with the visible limbus, then docking can be performed, but the laser beam may be misdirected relative to the lens center
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses OCT imaging to provide feedback on the actual lens location and orientation relative to the patient interface. Based on this feedback, the system calculates the necessary adjustments to achieve precise alignment between the patient interface center and the lens center, ensuring accurate laser beam direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary imaging and location-orientation analysis of the lens before docking. This preliminary action allows the system to determine the correct alignment parameters in advance, so that when docking is performed, the patient interface is already positioned to ensure precise laser beam alignment with the lens center.
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging-guided docking system can separate the tilt and location of an imaged ophthalmic target and present them in an intuitive manner for an ophthalmic surgeon. The docking system can include an ophthalmic imaging system to image a portion of an eye of a patient, an image processor to determine a location and an orientation of the imaged portion of the eye, and a guidance system, coupled to the ophthalmic imaging system, to guide an ophthalmic docking based on the determined location and orientation. In some implementations, the imaging system images an internal eye-structure to determine its orientation and a video-imaging system video-images a frontal eye-structure to determine a location of the frontal eye-structure. The determined orientation and location can be displayed for the surgeon. The alignment of ophthalmic procedures can also be assisted with this imaging capability, e.g. the placement and centration of IOLs into the lens capsule.