Ophthalmic Laser Flap Centration via Anatomical Marker Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ophthalmic laser surgery systems face challenges in accurately creating anatomical flaps due to patient eye movement and reliance on visual estimation for suction ring and patient interface placement, leading to potential errors in flap centration and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A surgical laser system with an imaging system and suction ring coupled with a patient interface captures digital images of the eye to identify optimum flap placement using anatomical markers as reference points, enhancing precision through image processing and recognition software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If visual estimation is used for suction ring and patient interface placement, then the placement process is simple and quick, but the accuracy and precision of flap centration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual estimation method with an automated image processing system. The imaging system captures images of the eye, and software algorithms automatically identify anatomical landmarks (limbus, pupil center, iris pattern) to calculate optimal suction ring and patient interface placement, substituting human visual judgment with computational analysis for higher precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the eye's anatomical structure through imaging. This digital representation allows for precise measurement and calculation of placement positions without physically touching the eye during the planning phase, enabling accurate flap centration determination before actual surgery begins
2Device complexity
If suction ring and patient interface are placed without imaging guidance, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of flap placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary imaging and analysis before the actual surgical procedure. By capturing images and calculating optimal placement positions in advance, the system establishes a reliable reference framework that guides subsequent flap creation, ensuring consistent and reliable centration across multiple surgical steps
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing system provides feedback by comparing the planned flap position with the actual anatomical landmarks identified in the images. This feedback loop allows verification of placement accuracy and enables adjustments to ensure reliable flap centration before the laser procedure begins
3Reliability
If flaps are oversized to compensate for placement errors, then the safety margin is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the corneal treatment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual estimation with automated image processing to achieve sub-millimeter precision in flap positioning. By using computer algorithms to identify anatomical landmarks and calculate optimal placement, the system eliminates the need for oversized flaps as a safety compensatory measure, enabling precise treatment within accurately positioned smaller flaps
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this invention relate to systems and methods for providing anatomical flap centration for an ophthalmic laser treatment system. In one embodiment, the laser surgery system, having an imaging system and a suction ring coupled with a patient interface, captures a digital image of a subject's eye and identifies an optimum treatment placement of the corneal flap using anatomical markers as reference points.