Ophthalmic Laser Scanner Dynamics for Fundus Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic laser treatment apparatuses require frequent adjustments to irradiate a wide area of the eye, as operators need to move the device after each spot irradiation, making the process cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus with an optical scanner for two-dimensional scanning of laser beams and an aiming beam, controlled by a unit that adjusts the irradiation pattern and moves the beam to different positions, allowing continuous irradiation without manual adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the treatment laser beam is irradiated spot by spot to a wide area of the fundus, then the irradiated area is expanded, but the operator has to adjust the position of the apparatus frequently which increases operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment area is divided into multiple discrete spot positions arranged in a predetermined pattern. The optical scanner segments the continuous laser beam into discrete spot irradiations, moving between predetermined positions to cover the wide area without requiring manual apparatus adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical scanner dynamically moves the laser beam between different spot positions within the treatment area. This dynamic scanning capability allows the system to irradiate multiple spots automatically while keeping the apparatus stationary, resolving the contradiction between wide area coverage and operational simplicity.
2Area of stationary object
If the slit lamp is moved up and down or right and left to irradiate different areas, then the irradiation coverage is expanded, but the treatment time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically moving the slit lamp, the optical scanner dynamically redirects the laser beam to different positions within the treatment area. This dynamic beam steering maintains the apparatus in a fixed position while achieving wide area coverage, significantly reducing treatment time and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical movement of the slit lamp is replaced by an optical scanning system that redirects the laser beam using mirrors or prisms. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming mechanical repositioning while maintaining the ability to irradiate wide areas, thereby improving treatment efficiency.
3Area of stationary object
If the treatment laser beam is sequentially irradiated to multiple spots, then the wide area is covered, but the operator cannot continuously observe the eye during treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The aiming beam is activated before the treatment laser beam to mark the spot positions on the fundus. This preliminary action allows the operator to verify the correct positions before actual treatment, ensuring continuous observation capability while maintaining the multi-spot irradiation pattern for wide area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The aiming beam serves as an intermediary between the operator and the treatment laser beam. It provides visual guidance and confirmation of spot positions, allowing the operator to continuously monitor the treatment process without interrupting the sequential irradiation of multiple spots across the wide treatment area.
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
Enables efficient irradiation of a wide area of the patient's eye by automating the movement of the treatment laser beam and aiming beam, reducing operator effort and improving treatment precision.
Implementation Method 1
an optical scanner including a galvano mirror and others to sequentially irradiate a treatment laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a treatment laser beam is irradiated spot by spot to a fundus of a patient's eye to thermally coagulate a wide area of tissues
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus includes: an irradiation optical system including an optical scanner for two-dimensionally scanning spots of a treatment laser beam and an aiming beam on eye tissue; a control unit to control the irradiation optical system to irradiate the treatment beam to a spot position based on an irradiation pattern of spots for treatment beam irradiation and based on an aiming rule associated with the irradiation pattern to irradiate the aiming beam to indicate the treatment beam spot position; and a movement unit to move an irradiation position of each beam. The control unit irradiates the treatment beam to a sequence of spots from a n-th position to a m-th position in association with the irradiation pattern, and then controls the movement unit and irradiates the aiming beam based on the aiming rule to a position different from the spot position just irradiated by the treatment beam.