Variable Pulse Rate Laser Control for Eye Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional laser systems for eye tissue ablation have a fixed pulse repetition rate, limiting the physician's ability to adjust based on patient-specific needs or treatment type, which can lead to concerns about local heating and tissue damage, discouraging the use of higher pulse repetition rate systems.
Innovation Solution
A laser apparatus with a processor-based control unit that allows selection of variable pulse repetition rates through a user interface, enabling physicians to customize pulse emission sequences for different phases of treatment, such as epithelial and stromal tissue ablation, and store patient-specific settings for future reference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed pulse repetition rate is used in traditional laser systems, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the physician cannot adjust the pulse repetition rate based on patient-specific needs or treatment type, leading to thermal risks and longer treatment times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pulse repetition rate control system where the laser apparatus can switch between multiple predefined pulse repetition rates (e.g., 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 1500 Hz) based on user input. The control unit dynamically adjusts the pulse emission sequence during different phases of treatment (epithelial ablation vs. stromal ablation), allowing the system to adapt to varying clinical requirements while maintaining operational simplicity through predefined rate options.
2Productivity
If a high pulse repetition rate is used, then treatment time is reduced, but local heating of eye tissue increases causing thermal damage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by utilizing multiple predefined pulse repetition rates that can be selected based on treatment phase and clinical requirements. The control unit delivers laser pulses in structured sequences with different repetition rates for different ablation phases, allowing optimization between treatment speed and thermal management. This periodic variation in pulse delivery patterns enables the system to achieve fast treatment when appropriate while preventing excessive thermal accumulation.
3Ease of operation
If a single pulse repetition rate is used for all treatment phases, then the control system is simple, but the treatment cannot be optimized for different tissue types (epithelial vs. stromal ablation)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the treatment process into distinct phases (epithelial ablation and stromal ablation) with different optimal pulse repetition rates. The control unit is configured to deliver different pulse sequences for each phase, allowing optimization for specific tissue types. This segmentation enables precise control over the ablation process for different tissue layers while maintaining ease of operation through automated phase-based rate selection.
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
Enables flexible and tailored laser treatment protocols, reducing thermal risks and allowing for shorter treatment times, accommodating both modern and older systems, while ensuring patient comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an apparatus for laser eye surgery for performing a transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy
Implementation Method 2
laser ablation is performed on the stromal tissue of the cornea thereby exposed
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for laser eye surgery comprises a laser module (12), which is equipped to emit pulsed, focused laser radiation of a variable pulse repetition rate, and a processor-based control unit (18), which is equipped to receive at least one user input pertaining to a selection of one of several predefined pulse repetition rates over a user input and to control the laser module in accordance with the at least one selected pulse repetition rate. In certain specific embodiments, the user interface enables input of two user entries, each of which relates to a selection of one of several predefined pulse repetition rates. The control unit controls the laser module for a first phase of a laser treatment in accordance with one of the two user inputs, and for a second phase of the laser treatment, it controls the laser module in accordance with the other one of the two user inputs. For example, such specific embodiments permit an epithelial tissue ablation to be performed at a different pulse repetition rate than a stromal tissue ablation as part of a transepithelial keratectomy on a human eye.