Ophthalmic Laser Beam Steering for Patient Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current femtosecond laser systems for cataract surgery require patients to be transferred from their regular bed to a separate patient support, complicating the clinical workflow and being uncomfortable for patients. Additionally, these systems have different optimal locations for cataract and LASIK procedures, leading to inefficiencies in clinical workflow and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic laser system that includes a beam delivery system, a controller, a guide, and an orientation analysis system. The system allows for the precise positioning of a focus of the laser beam at different locations within the eye or on the cornea, and the guide and orientation analysis system enable the movable portion of the beam delivery system to be oriented correctly relative to the patient's head, regardless of the patient's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate stationary patient support is used for femtosecond laser surgery, then the laser treatment can be performed with precise positioning, but the clinical workflow is complicated and patient comfort is reduced due to transfer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the femtosecond laser system with the phacoemulsification surgical system into a single integrated platform. The laser beam delivery system is integrated within the existing surgical microscope/phaco machine, eliminating the need for separate patient supports and transfers. This merging allows precise laser positioning while maintaining efficient clinical workflow in the sterile operating theatre.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical system is designed to perform multiple functions: both phacoemulsification surgery and femtosecond laser-assisted procedures (for cataract, LASIK, and other corneal/lens treatments). This multi-functional system eliminates the need for separate dedicated laser systems and patient supports, improving workflow efficiency while maintaining treatment precision.
2Ease of operation
If a femtosecond laser system is located close to the excimer laser for LASIK procedures, then patient transfer is simplified, but the system cannot be optimally positioned in the sterile operating theatre for cataract surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system is designed to handle both LASIK and cataract procedures, allowing it to be optimally positioned in the sterile operating theatre where both types of surgery are performed. The system's multi-functionality enables it to serve multiple surgical purposes from a single location, eliminating the conflict between proximity requirements for different procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates movable components including a movable mirror or beam steering mechanism that can dynamically adjust the laser beam path. This allows the physical system to remain in one location while the functional capabilities adapt to different surgical requirements and patient positions, providing location flexibility without sacrificing procedural efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the beam delivery system is made movable to adjust orientation to patient head position, then the system can adapt to different patient orientations, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a movable mirror or beam steering mechanism that can dynamically adjust the laser beam orientation to match different patient head positions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to various surgical configurations without requiring complex mechanical repositioning of the entire laser system.
Solution Approach 2:
A movable mirror or beam steering component acts as an intermediary between the fixed laser source and the patient's eye. This intermediary element can be adjusted to change beam direction while keeping the main laser system stationary, reducing overall system complexity compared to making the entire beam delivery system movable.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a guide configured to allow moving at least a portion of the beam delivery system, to adjust an orientation of at least the movable portion to different orientations of the patient's head measured around an axis of the eye to be treated. The system has an orientation analysis system for acquiring orientation-related data using one or more body portions of the patient. The ophthalmic laser system allows a user and/or the controller, using the orientation-related data, to move the movable portion of the beam delivery system so that during the laser treatment, the movable portion has an orientation around the axis of the eye and relative to the patient's head, which corresponds or substantially corresponds to a pre-determined target orientation; or which is within or substantially within a pre-determined target range.