DEVICE FOR THE REFRACTIVE SURGERY OF AN EYE AND A PROCESS FOR MONITORING THE FUNCTIONALITY THEREOF

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a functionality of an apparatus (100) for refractive surgery on an eye (2) using a laser beam (4). The method comprises a determination of at least one parameter of a preparation and/or implementation of a method for refractive surgery, wherein the preparation and/or the implementation of the method are carried out at least in part by the apparatus for refractive surgery using the laser beam (4). Further, the method comprises an analysis of the functionality of the apparatus (100) on the basis of the determined parameter of the preparation and/or the implementation of the method for refractive surgery. In this case, the at least one parameter characterizes one or more of the following properties of the preparation and/or implementation of the method for refractive surgery: a provision of the laser beam (4) by the apparatus (100); an effect on the eye (2) by the apparatus (100); an external influence on the preparation and/or the implementation of the method for refractive surgery from outside of the apparatus (100); and a suitability of the effect on the eye (2) by the laser beam (4) for the further method of the refractive surgery on the eye (2).

Moreover, the invention relates to a control unit (14) and an apparatus (100) for refractive surgery on an eye (2).

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A method for controlling a functionality of an apparatus for refractive surgery on an eye using a laser beam, the method comprising: determining at least one parameter of a preparation and/or implementation of a refractive surgery, wherein the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery are carried out at least in part by the apparatus for refractive surgery using the laser beam; and analyzing the functionality of the apparatus on the basis of the determined parameter of the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery, wherein the at least one parameter characterizes one or more of the following properties of the preparation and/or implementation of the refractive surgery: a provision of the laser beam by the apparatus; an effect on the eye by the apparatus; an external influence on the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery from outside of the apparatus; and a suitability of the effect on the eye by the laser beam for a further proceeding of the refractive surgery on the eye.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising: receiving data from a sensor, wherein determining the at least one parameter of the preparation and/or implementation of the refractive surgery is based on the data from the sensor.

18. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising one or more of: implementing a measure for improving the functionality of the apparatus; providing a notification about the functionality of the apparatus; and adjusting or modifying an operation of the apparatus.

19. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the analysis of the functionality of the apparatus on the basis of the determined parameter comprises: comparing the determined parameter of the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery on the basis of the determined parameter with a predetermined intended value; and assessing the functionality of the apparatus for refractive surgery on the basis of the comparison of the determined parameter with the predetermined intended value.

20. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the determination of a parameter characterizing the provision of the laser beam by the apparatus comprises a determination of a state of a contact glass of the apparatus, wherein the laser beam is applied to the eye through the contact glass.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the determination of the state of the contact glass comprises a determination of optical structures in an image of optical radiation passing through the contact glass.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the determination of the optical structures comprises a determination of optical edges in the image, wherein the determination of the optical edges comprises a determination of edges running in a straight line and/or edges running in a circle.

23. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the determination of the parameter characterizing the effect on the eye by the apparatus for the purposes of monitoring the functionality of the apparatus comprises a determination of a docking time of the apparatus on the eye and/or a determination of a number of necessary docking attempts until the apparatus successfully docks on the eye.

24. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the determination of the parameter characterizing the effect on the eye by the apparatus comprises a determination of arising optical structures in an image of the eye during application of the laser beam to the eye, wherein the arising optical structures comprise bright spots and/or dark spots.

25. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the determination of the parameter characterizing the effect on the eye by the apparatus comprises a determination of a structure and/or a texture of a part of the eye impinged by the laser beam and, optionally, a determination of a homogeneity of the structure and/or the texture of the part of the eye impinged by the laser beam.

26. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the determination of the parameter characterizing the external influence on the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery from outside of the apparatus comprises a determination of a movement path of at least one part of the apparatus during the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery along the optical axis of the eye.

27. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the determination of the parameter characterizing the external influence on the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery from outside of the apparatus comprises a determination of acoustic background noises before and/or during the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery.

28. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the determination of the parameter characterizing the suitability of the effect of the eye by the laser beam for the further proceeding of the refractive surgery on the eye comprises a determination of a time required for a surgical removal of a lenticule following the effect on the eye by the laser beam.

29. An apparatus for refractive eye surgery using a laser beam comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit is programmed to: monitor the functionality of the apparatus by: determining at least one parameter of a preparation and/or implementation of a refractive surgery, wherein the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery are carried out at least in part by the apparatus for refractive surgery using the laser beam; and analyzing the functionality of the apparatus on the basis of the determined parameter of the preparation and/or the implementation of the for refractive surgery; wherein the at least one parameter characterizes one or more of the following properties of the preparation and/or implementation of the refractive surgery: a provision of the laser beam by the apparatus; an effect on the eye by the apparatus; an external influence on the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery from outside of the apparatus; and a suitability of the effect on the eye by the laser beam for the further proceeding of the refractive surgery on the eye.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, further comprising a sensor, wherein monitoring the functionality of the apparatus further comprises: receiving data from the sensor, wherein determining the at least one parameter of the preparation and/or implementation of the refractive surgery is based on the data from the sensor.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the control unit is further programmed to: implement a measure for improving the functionality of the apparatus; provide a notification about the functionality of the apparatus; and/or adjust or modify an operation of the apparatus.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the analysis of the functionality of the apparatus on the basis of the determined parameter comprises: comparing the determined parameter of the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery on the basis of the determined parameter with a predetermined intended value; and assessing the functionality of the apparatus for refractive surgery on the basis of the comparison of the determined parameter with the predetermined intended value.

33. A method for refractive eye surgery using a laser beam of an apparatus for refractive surgery on the eye, the method comprising: treating the eye by carrying out a refractive eye surgery with the apparatus while monitoring a functionality of the apparatus, wherein monitoring the functionality of the apparatus includes: determining at least one parameter of a preparation and/or implementation of the refractive surgery, wherein the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery are carried out at least in part using the laser beam of the apparatus; and analyzing the functionality of the apparatus based on the determined parameter of the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery, wherein the at least one parameter characterizes one or more of the following properties of the preparation and/or implementation of the refractive surgery: a provision of the laser beam by the apparatus; an effect on the eye by the apparatus; an external influence on the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery from outside of the apparatus; and a suitability of the effect on the eye by the laser beam for the further proceeding of the refractive surgery on the eye.

34. The method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising one or more of: implementing a measure for improving the functionality of the apparatus; providing a notification about the functionality of the apparatus; and adjusting or modifying an operation of the apparatus.

35. The method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the analysis of the functionality of the apparatus based on the determined parameter comprises: comparing the determined parameter of the preparation and/or the implementation of the refractive surgery on the basis of the determined parameter with a predetermined intended value; and assessing the functionality of the apparatus for refractive surgery on the basis of the comparison of the determined parameter with the predetermined intended value.

Description

[0043] Further details and advantages of the invention will now be explained more specifically on the basis of an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the following drawing. It is understood that the features and embodiments mentioned above and below should not only be considered part of the disclosure in the respective combination; instead, it is understood that other combinations of features that appear technically advantageous to a person skilled in the art and/or the features on their own should also be considered part of the disclosure relating to the monitoring of the functionality of an apparatus.

[0044] In detail:

[0045] FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic illustration, an apparatus 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for refractive surgery on an eye 2.

[0046] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for refractive surgery on an eye. The apparatus 100 is designed as a treatment appliance and serves to carry out, using a laser beam a refractive error correction on an eye 2 of a patient by means of a method for refractive surgery. To this end, the apparatus 100 comprises a laser or laser source 3, which emits pulsed laser radiation. In this case, the pulse duration is in the femtosecond range, for example, and the laser radiation acts on the cornea of the eye 2 in order to separate a lenticule from the surrounding cornea within the cornea.

[0047] The laser beam emitted by the laser 3 along an optical axis A1 or the treatment beam 4 is incident on a beam splitter 5 in the process, the latter guiding the laser beam 4 to a scanning device 6. The scanning device 6 has two scanning mirrors 7 and 8 which are rotatable about mutually orthogonal axes such that the scanning device 6 deflects the treatment beam 4 in two dimensions. An adjustable projection optical unit 9 focuses the treatment beam 4 onto or into the eye 2, and hence moreover complements the scanning device 6 such that three-dimensional scanning of the focused laser beam is facilitated. In this case, the projection optical unit 9 has two lens elements 10 and 11.

[0048] A contact glass 2 is disposed downstream of the lens element 11 and is connected securely to the lens element 11 by way of a holder H and hence to the beam path of the apparatus 100. The contact glass 12 rests on the cornea of the eye 2. The optical combination of contact glass 2 and the other optical components of the apparatus 100 causes the treatment beam 4 to be focused at a focus 13 located within the cornea of the eye 2.

[0049] The apparatus 100 further comprises a control unit 14 which is configured, in particular, to control the scanning device 6, the laser 3 and the projection optical unit 9. Moreover, the control unit 14 is configured to monitor the functionality of the apparatus and, for this purpose, determine at least one parameter of a preparation and/or implementation of a method for refractive surgery and analyze the functionality of the apparatus on the basis of the determined parameter. Even though the embodiment shown illustrates only one control unit, a plurality of control units which carry out the specified tasks and/or other tasks may also be provided in accordance with other embodiments.

[0050] The control unit 14 preferably determines the relative position of the focus 13, both transversely to the optical axis A1 (by the scanning mirrors 7 and 8) and in the direction of the optical axis A1 (by the projection optical unit 9).

[0051] Further, the control unit 14 reads a detector 15 which detects radiation scattered back and/or reflected by the cornea, which radiation passes through the contact glass and passes the beam splitter 5 as reflection radiation 16. To this end, there can be confocal imaging of the back-scattered reflection radiation 16 on the detector 15. Therefore, the detector 15 can represent a sensor, in particular one of the plurality of sensors which are connected to the control unit 14 for the purposes of monitoring the function of the apparatus.

[0052] For the treatment, the contact glass 12 is coupled to the eye 2 such that the contact glass 12 preferably rests directly on the eye. According to an embodiment, a liquid can additionally be arranged between the contact glass 12 and the eye 2 in order to obtain a suitable transition of the refractive indices between the contact glass 12 and the eye 2 and thereby minimize reflections and/or other losses of the laser beam and/or the reflection radiation 16. According to another embodiment, the contact glass 12, preferably a curved contact glass 12 adapted to the curvature of the cornea of the eye 2, rests directly on the cornea of the eye 2.

[0053] On account of the contact of the cornea with the contact glass 12, the eye 2 is in a predetermined relative position with respect to the contact glass 12 and hence with respect to the apparatus 100. As a result, the focus 13 can be positioned exactly in three dimensions in the cornea, but also within the contact glass 12, by way of an actuation of the scanning device 6 and the adjustable projection optical unit 9.

[0054] Moreover, according to the embodiment shown, the control unit 14 is connected to a motion sensor 17 and an acoustic sensor 18. According to the embodiment shown, the motion sensor 18 is arranged on the holder H connecting the lens element 11 to the contact glass 12 and accordingly follows a movement path of the contact glass, in particular along the optical axis A1 or the optical axis of the eye 2. In this way, the control unit 14 can determine the movement path of the contact glass as a parameter by the motion sensor 17 and can use this for the analysis of the functionality of the apparatus.

[0055] By means of the acoustic sensor 18, the control unit can further determine acoustic background noises as a parameter and use these for the analysis of the functionality of the apparatus 100. By way of example, the acoustic sensor 18 can be arranged in such a way that it can receive acoustic signals or reports especially from where the occurrence thereof is to be expected. By way of example, the acoustic sensor 18 can be directed at the head of the patient in order to be able to reliably recognize background noises caused by the patient. By way of example, such a parameter can characterize the one or more external influences from outside of the apparatus on the preparation and/or implementation of the method for refractive surgery. The acoustic sensor 18 can also represent a sensor which is connected to the control unit 14 for the purposes of determining parameters for monitoring the functionality of the apparatus.

[0056] Moreover, the control unit 14 as per the embodiment shown is connected to a display unit 20, for instance a computer display. The apparatus 100 is configured to output and/or record notifications via the display unit 20, for example for the user of the apparatus 100, and/or to query the user of the apparatus 100. Thus, for example a time period required for removing the lenticule from the eye 2 by the user or a surgeon can be determined as a further parameter by virtue of placing via the display unit 20 a corresponding query for the user or the surgeon, and requesting the latter to input a corresponding value. To the extent that there is an input, this determined time period can also be used as a parameter for the analysis of the functionality of the apparatus 100. By way of example, such a parameter can characterize the suitability of the effect on the eye 2 by the laser beam for the further method of the refractive surgery on the eye.

[0057] Additionally, the apparatus 100 or the control unit 14 can use the reflection radiation 16 to determine a parameter. By way of example, the control unit can make use of the detector 15 to this end. A parameter determined in this way can for example characterize the provision of the laser beam by the apparatus. Preferably, the determination of the parameter on the basis of the reflection radiation 16 may comprise the determination of possible damage to and/or contamination of the contact glass 12 and/or other optical components of the apparatus which influence the functionality of the apparatus 100. Moreover, in this way it is possible for example to determine a parameter which characterizes the effect on the eye 2 by the apparatus 100. By way of example, this may comprise the determination of the occurrence or lack of scattering centers at the positions at which the laser beam 4 acts on the eye 2, which may be implemented for example by determining bright and/or dark spots in the image of the reflection radiation 16.

[0058] On the basis of the determined parameters there can subsequently be an analysis of the functionality of the apparatus 100. The analysis of the functionality can preferably be carried out by the control unit 14 and/or another component of the apparatus 100. Alternatively or in addition, the parameters can preferably be provided to an external apparatus, for example a server, which thereupon implements the analysis and/or monitoring of the functionality of the apparatus.

[0059] Particularly preferably, monitoring of the apparatus is carried out over a multiplicity of implemented methods and comprises the collection of statistical data in respect of the parameters determined. In this way, it is preferably possible to also determine long-term changes which could not be determined if only individual methods or treatments were considered. In this way, there can be reliable monitoring of the functionality of the apparatus.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0060] 2 Eye [0061] 3 Laser [0062] 4 Laser beam [0063] 5 Beam splitter [0064] 6 Scanning device [0065] 7 Scanning mirror [0066] 8 Scanning mirror [0067] 9 Projection optical unit [0068] 10 Lens element [0069] 11 Lens element [0070] 12 Contact glass [0071] 13 Focus [0072] 14 Control unit [0073] 15 Detector [0074] 16 Reflection radiation [0075] 17 Motion sensor [0076] 18 Acoustic sensor [0077] 20 Display unit [0078] 100 Apparatus for refractive surgery on an eye [0079] A1 Optical axis