Virtual Irradiation Mask for Corneal Laser Precision
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) technologies for treating anterior corneal pathologies lack precision in matching laser ablation profiles with non-round lesions, and they do not allow for the selection of very small laser spots, leading to inefficient tissue removal and potential damage to adjacent healthy tissue.
Innovation Solution
The method involves setting a virtual irradiation mask with any shape to match pathological alterations of the eye, ensuring that only specific areas are irradiated with the laser. This mask is projected onto a mask plane perpendicular to the laser's irradiation direction, allowing for precise control of laser pulses within the designated area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual peeling and small laser spots are used for smoothing, then tissue removal precision is improved, but device complexity increases and treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual irradiation mask that copies the shape and position of the corneal lesion onto a mask plane, allowing precise laser delivery without manual intervention. The control device creates a digital representation of the lesion and automatically generates the irradiation pattern, replacing manual peeling operations with automated virtual masking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical peeling operations with an automated optical system. The control device uses virtual masks and automated beam deflection to deliver laser pulses precisely to the lesion area, eliminating the need for manual instruments and surgeon intervention in the smoothing process.
2Ease of operation
If conventional PTK with circular laser spots is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to match non-round lesions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic virtual irradiation mask that can be customized for each patient's specific lesion. The control device automatically adjusts the mask shape, size, and position based on the individual corneal pathology, allowing the laser to adapt to non-round lesions while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the irradiation mask from fixed circular patterns to variable shapes that match the specific lesion characteristics. The control device modifies mask geometry parameters (shape, size, position) to precisely match each patient's corneal pathology, enabling accurate ablation profiles for non-round lesions.
3Ease of operation
If larger laser spots are used for treatment, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of substance increases due to removal of healthy tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a virtual irradiation mask that is specifically shaped to match the location and boundaries of the corneal lesion. The control device delivers laser energy only to the precise area defined by the mask, ensuring that healthy tissue surrounding the lesion is not affected while maintaining ease of operation through automated targeting.
4Manufacturing precision
If masking liquids are used to define treatment areas, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical application of masking liquids with a digital control system. The control device uses virtual masks that are automatically generated from corneal imaging data, eliminating the need for physical masking liquids and their associated application steps while maintaining precise treatment area definition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the corneal lesion morphology and uses it to generate the virtual irradiation mask. This digital copying approach allows for precise treatment area definition without requiring physical masking materials, reducing preparation time and eliminating the complexity of liquid mask application and removal.
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 precise and defined treatment of corneal pathologies, minimizing unnecessary tissue removal and reducing recovery time, while also reducing the impact on eye refraction, especially for peripheral lesions.
Implementation Method 1
laser pulses cause a photodisruption and/or photoablation in a focus situated within an organic tissue to remove or cauterize the tissue from the cornea
Implementation Method 2
laser pulses cause a photodisruption and/or photoablation in a focus situated within an organic tissue to remove or cauterize the tissue from the cornea
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for providing control data for an ophthalmological laser (12) of a treatment apparatus (10) for treating a human or animal eye (16), wherein the method comprises the following steps performed by a control device (18): setting an area (14) to be irradiated on or in a cornea of the eye (16) to be treated for performing an irradiation treatment with the laser (12), setting a virtual irradiation mask (50) in a mask plane (40), wherein the area (14) to be irradiated is situated within the virtual irradiation mask (50) in a perpendicular projection onto the mask plane (40), and providing control data for the laser (12) by the control device (18), wherein the control data includes coordinates of the area (14) to be irradiated such that the laser (12) emits laser pulses to the area (14) to be irradiated during the treatment.