Retinal Laser Photocoagulation System with Adaptive Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser photocoagulation techniques for treating retinal disorders like macular edema lack accuracy due to two-dimensional visualization and large-sized laser impacts, leading to damage in surrounding healthy tissues and reduced reproducibility across practitioners.
Innovation Solution
A system for laser photocoagulation that includes a photocoagulation laser with adaptive optics to compensate for ocular aberrations, a position control loop for precise targeting, and imaging for real-time visualization and feedback, allowing for a small, focused laser impact of less than 100 μm in size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large-sized laser impact is used to ensure complete coverage of the treatment area, then the reliability of treatment is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates because the laser impact size cannot be precisely controlled and damages surrounding healthy tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional slit lamp visualization to three-dimensional OCT imaging, adding a depth dimension to the visualization. This enables precise localization of laser impact at both the retinal surface and the targeted layer (blood vessels or pigment epithelium), achieving accurate treatment while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues through real-time feedback on laser impact position and depth.
2Ease of operation
If standard laser photocoagulation procedures are used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to empirical focusing and dosage without reproducible results across practitioners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback through OCT imaging that visualizes the laser impact on the retina and the targeted layer during the procedure. This feedback mechanism allows practitioners to adjust focusing and dosage based on actual observed effects rather than empirical estimates, significantly improving reproducibility and precision while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive visual guidance.
3Manufacturing precision
If the laser impact size is reduced to treat only the specific area, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because ocular aberrations cause the laser impact to miss the targeted position
Solution Approach 1:
The OCT imaging system provides real-time feedback on the actual position and size of the laser impact on the retina, allowing practitioners to compensate for ocular aberrations by observing the true location of the laser effect. This feedback loop ensures that even with reduced laser impact size for precise treatment, the reliability is maintained through visual confirmation of accurate targeting.
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 achieves precise localization and containment of the laser impact, minimizing damage to healthy tissues and improving reproducibility by compensating for ocular aberrations and providing real-time, three-dimensional visualization.
Implementation Method 1
an adaptive optics positioned in the optical path and configured to modify the wavefront of the laser beam propagating in the optical path in order to compensate ocular aberrations occurring up to the retina
Implementation Method 2
a photocoagulation laser comprising a laser source and an optical transport fiber... a laser beam emitted by the photocoagulation laser
Implementation Method 3
the therapeutic target of the laser may be located at two layers: the layer of the retinal blood vessels... the retinal pigment epithelium
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for laser photocoagulation of the retina, comprising: a photocoagulation laser (1); an optical path (5) connecting the upstream photocoagulation laser (1) to a downstream laser outlet opening (6) intended to be positioned in front of the retina; an adaptive optical element (9) positioned in the optical path and configured to modify the wavefront of the laser beam being propagated in the optical path, in order to compensate for aberrations of the eye that occur as far as the retina; a position control loop (10) controlling a first actuator (14) positioned in the optical path downstream of the adaptive optical element in order to control the position of the laser outlet opening relative to the retina to be treated; and at least one imaging device (8) configured to obtain an image of the retina diverted from the optical path.