Laser Scan Pattern Calibration With Fluorescent Plate Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calibration of surgical laser systems in ophthalmic procedures is often cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring manual calibration of scanning systems with calibration plates, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an automated calibration method using a camera with a sensor array and a scanning system that maps sensor surface locations to the treatment space by scanning electromagnetic radiation over fluorescent material, allowing for polynomial fitting or lookup table-based calibration, and includes an xy-scan device and z-scan device for precise beam control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual calibration with calibration plate is used, then calibration accuracy can be achieved, but calibration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically scanning fluorescent markers in the treatment space and mapping their positions to sensor coordinates. The processor autonomously calculates transformation parameters without requiring manual intervention or external calibration plates, enabling the system to calibrate itself quickly and accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical calibration operations with an automated optical scanning system. Instead of physically positioning calibration plates and manually recording coordinates, the system uses electromagnetic radiation scanning combined with fluorescent imaging to automatically determine spatial relationships and generate calibration data.
2Reliability
If manual calibration procedures are implemented, then system calibration can be performed, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system autonomously executes the entire calibration sequence: scanning fluorescent markers, capturing images, processing coordinates, and calculating transformation parameters. This self-service approach eliminates the need for operators to understand complex calibration procedures or manually manipulate calibration equipment, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms calibration from a manual procedural task into an automated parameter optimization process. The system varies scanning parameters and processes image data to automatically determine optimal transformation parameters that map sensor coordinates to treatment space coordinates, simplifying the operator's role while ensuring accurate calibration.
3Productivity
If automated calibration with fluorescent scanning is implemented, then calibration time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fluorescent markers as intermediary objects that facilitate automated calibration. These markers serve as mediators between the scanning system and the treatment space, providing easily detectable reference points that enable rapid automated imaging and coordinate mapping without requiring complex direct measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the fluorescent property of the markers, which emit light at different wavelengths or intensities when excited by the scanning electromagnetic radiation. This optical property change enables automatic detection and differentiation of marker positions by the imaging system, streamlining the automated calibration process while managing system complexity through well-established optical detection methods.
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 significantly reduces calibration time and complexity by enabling automatic calibration of laser systems, improving precision and efficiency in ophthalmic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the laser system's electromagnetic radiation beam is scanned to a series of scanning locations of a fluorescent material. The camera captures light that is emitted from the series of locations of the fluorescent material in response to the scanned electromagnetic radiation beam.
Data Source
AI summary
A laser system calibration method and system are provided. In some methods, a calibration plate may be used to calibrate a video camera of the laser system. The video camera pixel locations may be mapped to the physical space. A xy-scan device of the laser system may be calibrated by defining control parameters for actuating components of the xy-scan device to scan a beam to a series of locations. Optionally, the beam may be scanned to a series of locations on a fluorescent plate. The video camera may be used to capture reflected light from the fluorescent plate. The xy-scan device may then be calibrated by mapping the xy-scan device control parameters to physical locations. A desired z-depth focus may be determined by defining control parameters for focusing a beam to different depths. The video camera or a confocal detector may be used to detect the scanned depths.