Ophthalmological Scanner Displacement for Extended Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmological laser systems require larger and more complex scanner systems to adjust focus positions beyond the cornea, leading to increased costs and control complexity, as well as thermal load on optical systems.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmological device with a displacement device that adjusts the scanner system along the optical axis based on zoom settings, eliminating the need for enlarged scanner mirrors and simplifying control algorithms, allowing for smaller mirrors and reduced thermal load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the zoom system adjusts focus positions beyond the cornea, then the focusing range is extended, but the scanner system diameter must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a displacement device that moves the scanner system along the optical axis (adding a longitudinal dimension) to adjust the virtual entry pupil position, replacing the traditional approach of increasing scanner diameter (lateral dimension) to achieve extended focusing range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of scanner system position along the optical axis through the displacement device, allowing dynamic adjustment of the virtual entry pupil location to enable extended focusing range without increasing scanner diameter
2Adaptability or versatility
If the scanner system diameter is increased to accommodate zoom movements, then the focusing range is extended, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts from lateral expansion (increasing diameter) to longitudinal displacement (moving along optical axis) to achieve the same functional goal, reducing manufacturing costs by using smaller scanner components
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement device creates a virtual copy of the entry pupil position at different locations along the optical axis, allowing the same physical scanner to serve multiple focusing depths without requiring multiple large scanner systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional scanning axes are added to re-deflect the beam, then the focus position can be adjusted, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the focus adjustment function from the scanner control system and implements it through a separate displacement device that physically moves the scanner, simplifying the control architecture by separating scanning and focusing functions
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement device acts as an intermediary between the control system and the scanner system, translating focus position commands into physical displacement of the scanner, thereby simplifying the control interface
4Adaptability or versatility
If larger scanner mirrors are used, then the laser beams can enter the entry pupil without restrictions, but the thermal load on the optical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses longitudinal displacement of the scanner system to adjust the virtual entry pupil position, allowing smaller scanner mirrors to effectively handle the beam without requiring larger surface areas that would absorb more laser energy and generate heat
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 solution reduces the size and cost of scanner systems, decreases thermal load, and enhances dynamics by enabling simpler connections and faster operations without the need for complex four-axes scanner systems.
Implementation Method 1
a scanner system for dynamically deflecting the laser pulses
Implementation Method 2
for treating eye tissue with laser pulses
Implementation Method 3
projection optical unit for focused projection of the laser pulses
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmological device for treating eye tissue with laser pulses comprises a projection optical unit for focused projection of the laser pulses, a scanner system for dynamically deflecting the laser pulses and a zoom system, which is arranged between the projection optical unit and the scanner system and which is configured to adjust the focused projection of the laser pulses in the projection direction in different zoom settings. The ophthalmological device moreover comprises a displacement device, which is configured to displace the scanner system depending on the zoom setting of the zoom system. What the displacement of the scanner system coupled to the zoom setting of the zoom system renders possible is the adaptation of the position of the scanner system in a dynamic and synchronized fashion to the setting of the zoom system and hence to the current position of the virtual entry pupil of the zoom system.