Virtual Ocular Reference Guides for Rotationally Precise Incisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ocular surgeries, particularly astigmatism correction, face challenges due to the lack of effective and rotationally accurate reference markings on wet ocular tissues, which are difficult to measure or mark pre-surgery, leading to inaccurate incisions and undesirable post-surgical outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A real-time, multidimensional visualization system with a data processor generates virtual reference indicia for limbal and corneal relaxing incisions, aligned with the eye's natural vertical axis, allowing surgeons to make precise incisions using 3D or 2D guides under their control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-surgery reference markings are made on ocular tissues, then surgical guidance is provided, but the markings are dissolved, altered, or removed by rinsing, sterilization, drugs, and body fluids during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the patient's eye anatomy through pre-surgical imaging (photographs, videos, or other visual data) and generates virtual reference indicia from this copy. This digital replica remains intact throughout surgery and can be displayed in real-time, avoiding the problem of physical markings being dissolved or removed by surgical fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of imaging equipment, data processing, and display devices that bridge the gap between pre-surgical planning and intra-surgical execution. This intermediary layer allows reference information to be transmitted and displayed without direct contact with ocular tissues, preventing fluid-related degradation.
2Manufacturing precision
If pre-surgery measurements and markings are translated to internal structures, then surgical guidance is provided, but the translation leads to inaccurate incisions due to rotational misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic real-time display of virtual reference indicia that can be adjusted and repositioned during surgery. The system allows for dynamic alignment correction to account for any rotational changes or misalignments that occur between pre-surgical imaging and the actual surgical field, ensuring continuous accuracy throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback to the surgeon through displayed virtual reference indicia that show the precise location and orientation of incisions relative to the current surgical view. This feedback loop enables immediate correction of any misalignment, ensuring accurate incision placement that matches the planned surgical path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If freehand and best guess techniques are used for surgical adaptation, then individual patient requirements are met, but the procedure relies on surgeon experience rather than precise measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs all necessary measurements, anatomical analysis, and reference indicium generation during the pre-surgical phase using high-quality imaging data. This preliminary action captures the patient's unique ocular dimensions and creates customized surgical guidance before surgery begins, allowing precise measurement-based planning that adapts to individual patient requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a digital copy of the patient's eye anatomy from pre-surgical imaging, the system preserves the unique anatomical features and measurements for use during surgery. This digital replica allows precise measurement and analysis without requiring repeated physical measurement or relying on the surgeon's memory and experience.
4Ease of operation
If physical reference markings are used on wet ocular surfaces, then incision guidance is provided, but the wet surface diminishes marking quality and subsequent contact with fluids removes or distorts markings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical markings with a digital copy system that uses imaging data to create virtual reference indicia. This digital copy can be displayed on a screen throughout the entire surgical procedure without being affected by wet surfaces or surgical fluids, maintaining both visibility and persistence from start to finish.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/physical marking system (pens, dyes, or ink applied directly to tissues) with an electronic/digital system using cameras, image processing, and display technology. This substitution eliminates the inherent limitations of physical markings on wet surfaces while maintaining the guidance function.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for guiding an astigmatism correction procedure on an eye of a patient are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a photosensor configured to record a pre-operative still image of an ocular target surgical site of the patient. The apparatus also includes a real-time, multidimensional visualization module configured to produce a real-time multidimensional visualization of the ocular target surgical site during an astigmatism correction procedure. The apparatus further includes a data processor configured to determine a virtual indicium that includes data for guiding the astigmatism correction procedure. The data processor uses the pre-operative still image to align the virtual indicium with the multidimensional visualization such that the virtual indicium is rotationally accurate. The data processor then displays the multidimensional visualization of the ocular target surgical site in conjunction with the virtual indicium.