Refractive Surgery Laser Wavelength Selection for Retinal Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refractive surgery techniques using laser systems often result in side effects such as transient light syndrome and blue-light hazard effects due to energy transmission through the cornea, potentially causing damage to the retina, as the radiation is not fully absorbed within the treatment area.
Innovation Solution
A laser system emitting radiation in the wavelength range of approximately 1600 nm to 1700 nm, preferably 1625 nm to 1675 nm, which is transmissive through the cornea but absorbed in the aqueous humour, preventing damage to structures behind the treatment region like the iris, lens, and retina.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser radiation is used for refractive surgery, then the refractive properties of the eye can be altered, but energy transmission through the cornea causes side effects such as transient light syndrome and blue-light hazard effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the laser radiation from conventional ranges (340-350 nm or 1000-1100 nm) to a specific range of 1600-1700 nm. This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction of laser radiation with ocular tissues, achieving both effective corneal treatment and absorption in the aqueous humour to prevent harmful effects on the retina.
Solution Approach 2:
The aqueous humour acts as an intermediary that absorbs the laser radiation. By selecting a wavelength (1600-1700 nm) that is absorbed by the aqueous humour, the radiation is stopped before it can reach the retina, thus protecting posterior eye structures while still enabling effective corneal treatment.
2Use of energy by moving object
If UV femtosecond laser systems are used for photo-disruption, then efficient energy conversion is achieved, but 5% of energy enters the eye and is absorbed in the lens causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the wavelength parameter from the UV range (345 nm) to the 1600-1700 nm range. This change maintains efficient energy conversion for photo-disruption in the cornea while fundamentally altering the penetration depth and absorption characteristics, preventing energy from reaching the lens and retina.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts what would normally be a harmful effect (laser energy penetrating to the lens and retina) into a beneficial outcome by selecting a wavelength that is specifically absorbed by the aqueous humour. The aqueous humour, which normally is a transparent medium, becomes a protective barrier that absorbs the laser energy before it can reach sensitive posterior structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If visible wavelength lasers are used for cutting, then the cornea can be incised, but visual stressing of the patient during the operation is unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter from the visible range (710-810 nm or 517 nm) to the 1600-1700 nm infrared range. This parameter change eliminates visual stressing of the patient during surgery while maintaining the ability to perform corneal incisions through photo-disruption, and additionally provides protection against retinal damage.
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
This approach minimizes damage to ocular structures by ensuring that radiation not absorbed in the cornea is absorbed in the aqueous humour, reducing side effects and preventing damage to the retina and other posterior eye structures.
Implementation Method 1
A laser system emitting radiation in the wavelength range of approximately 1600 nm to 1700 nm, preferably 1625 nm to 1675 nm, which is transmissive through the cornea but absorbed in the aqueous humour
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an eye treatment device having a radiation source, the light emitted by the radiation source having such a wavelength range that it brings about a reaction in a treatment region of an eye and is absorbed, at least partially, in at least one of the regions located behind same in the direction of the retina that are in front of the retina. The light emitted by the radiation source can have a wavelength range in which the treatment region is partially transmissive. The treatment region can be the cornea. The reaction brought about in the treatment region by the light can be an ablation of tissue. The reaction brought about in the treatment region by the light can also be a laser-induced optical perforation of tissue, which is also referred to as photo-disruption. The radiation source can be a laser source. The wavelength range of the light emitted by the radiation source is approximately 1600 nm to approximately 1700 nm, preferably approximately 1625 nm to approximately 1675 nm, most preferably approximately 1640 nm to approximately 1660 nm.