Ophthalmic Scanner System with Z-Modulator for Curved Tissue Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmological devices using pulsed laser beams face challenges in cutting eye tissue with vertical components, as they are slow and require significant effort and cost due to the need for movable optics and lenses, and struggle to adapt to non-spherical lenticule surfaces, leading to errors and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a scanner system that directs pulsed laser beams to process target points in eye tissue with cutting paths separated by tissue bridges, using a measuring system to detect cut trajectories and adapt to the actual shape of the cutting paths, and a z-modulator to tilt scanning lines, allowing for precise cutting without vertical focus shifts and improved adaptation to curved surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If movable optics and lenses are used to achieve vertical focus shifts for cutting with vertical components, then the cutting capability in vertical direction is improved, but the processing speed decreases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical movement of projection optics or zoom lenses with an optical solution using a z-modulator. The z-modulator dynamically adjusts the focal position of the laser beam in the vertical direction by modulating the optical path, eliminating the need for mechanical focus shifting mechanisms. This substitution maintains vertical cutting capability while significantly improving processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the focal position parameter dynamically during the scanning process using the z-modulator. By adjusting the focal distance in real-time according to the scanning position, the system achieves vertical cutting components without mechanical movement. This parameter modulation enables fast focus switching that matches the scanning speed.
2Productivity
If straight fast scan lines are used for cutting, then the processing speed is improved, but the cutting accuracy on curved surfaces decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the scanning system dynamic by introducing a z-modulator that adjusts the focal position during scanning. This dynamic adaptation allows the laser focus to follow curved surfaces while maintaining fast scan speeds. The system transitions from static straight scan lines to dynamic scan paths with variable focal positions, achieving both speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the focal position parameter during scanning to adapt to surface curvature. By modulating the focus depth in real-time, the system maintains cutting precision on curved surfaces while using fast scan lines, resolving the contradiction between speed and accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If movable projection optics are used to cover large processing area, then the adaptability to different eye structures is improved, but the processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical movement of projection optics with a z-modulator-based optical focusing system. The z-modulator enables rapid adjustment of focal position without mechanical displacement, maintaining the ability to treat different eye structures while eliminating the speed limitation imposed by mechanical movement.
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 enables faster and more precise cutting of eye tissue with vertical components, reducing errors and the need for costly optics, while allowing for flexible adaptation to complex surface curvatures, enhancing processing speed and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source configured to generate a pulsed laser beam; focusing optics configured to focus the pulsed laser beam into the ocular tissue
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
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Figure 5~10
AI summary
For the treatment of ocular tissue (20), an ophthalmic device (1) comprises a laser source (11) configured to generate a pulsed laser beam (L), a focusing optic (16) configured to focus the pulsed laser beam into the ocular tissue (20), and a scanner system (100) for deflecting the pulsed laser beam with overlapping laser pulse spots (P) onto successive treatment target points (F) in the ocular tissue (20). A circuit (10) controls the scanner system (100) such that the scanner system (100) directs the pulsed laser beam into adjacent treatment paths to first create cutting paths separated by remaining tissue bridges of a tissue cut to be made on a surface, and then directs the pulsed laser beam into the remaining tissue bridges between the cutting paths to complete the tissue cut.