Ophthalmic Laser Shot Sequencing for Local Frequency Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser ablation in ophthalmic surgery can cause temporary or permanent eye damage due to excessive temperature increases if the local frequency of laser pulses exceeds a damage threshold, necessitating a maximum local frequency limit.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic surgical system adjusts the laser shot list by shifting or suspending laser shots to ensure that local shot frequencies do not exceed the maximum local frequency, using a computer to manage the laser shot sequence and account for changes in treatment frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser pulses are directed at high frequency to improve treatment efficiency, then productivity increases, but local temperature exceeds damage threshold causing eye damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the laser shot frequency based on real-time conditions. When the treatment frequency changes, the system automatically modifies the number of laser shots in each substring and shifts or suspends shots to maintain safe local frequencies, transforming a static frequency limit into a dynamic control system that adapts to varying treatment requirements while preventing thermal damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of local shot frequency to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting the number of laser shots in substrings and shifting/suspending individual shots based on treatment frequency changes, the system maintains local frequency within safe limits while optimizing overall treatment efficiency through parameter adaptation
2Temperature
If laser shots are shifted or suspended to maintain safe local frequency, then temperature control improves, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the shot list to identify substrings and potential frequency violations before treatment begins. By pre-calculating the optimal number of shots per substring and identifying shots that need shifting or suspension, the system minimizes real-time adjustments and reduces overall treatment time while ensuring temperature safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system strategically skips or suspends only the minimum necessary shots to maintain safe local frequency limits. Rather than uniformly reducing frequency across all shots, the system identifies specific shots that can be shifted or suspended to achieve compliance with minimal delay, rushing through safe sequences at full speed while pausing only where necessary
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
The system effectively maintains local shot frequencies within safe limits, preventing tissue damage and ensuring precise laser ablation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Laser photoablation, or laser ablation, is the process of removing material from a surface by irradiating it with a laser beam. In ophthalmic surgery, an ablation procedure typically uses laser pulses to reshape the cornea to change its refractive properties.
Implementation Method 2
As the laser pulses hit a location of the eye, they increase the temperature at the location. If the temperature exceeds a damage threshold, the eye may suffer temporary or permanent damage.
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic surgical system for treating an eye comprises a laser device and computer. The laser device directs laser pulses at a treatment frequency towards the eye according to a shot list, which comprises a sequence of laser shots and corresponding locations. The sequence of laser shots comprises substrings, where each substring indicates a local shot frequency at a location. The number of laser shots in a substring depends on the treatment frequency. The computer performs the following for the substrings: if there is a change in the treatment frequency, adjust the number of laser shots in a substring; check whether the substring indicates that a local shot frequency satisfies a maximum local frequency at the treatment frequency; and if the local shot frequency fails to satisfy the maximum local frequency, adjust the shot list such that the local shot frequency satisfies the maximum local frequency.