Patent ID: 8452372
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A system for laser coagulation of a retina, comprising: a local control system disposed at a first location and a central control system disposed at a remote site, said remote site being at a second location; at least a first laser-imaging system, said laser-imaging system including a laser-imaging apparatus, a first processor and a local control module; said laser-imaging apparatus including a wide angle digital image acquisition and storage system configured to take and store digital images of said retina, said digital image acquisition and storage system including at least one retinal viewing camera that provides a field of view of said retina in a range between 160° and 200°, said digital image acquisition and storage system further including means for transmitting digital images; a laser generation system configured to generate and transmit at least a first aiming laser beam and at least a first coagulation laser beam, and means for controlling said digital image acquisition and storage system and said laser generation system; said local control module including a local operation sub-module, a local operation and performance simulation sub-module, and a local safety and verification sub-module, said local operation sub-module configured to acquire at least a first retinal image of said retina from said digital image acquisition and storage system and transmit said first retinal image to said remote site, said local operation sub-module further configured to receive a target laser transmission area and laser transmission parameters from a remote physician, apply an active contour algorithm to extract multiple contours of said retina, calculate the corresponding areas between said contours, and partition said first retinal image into a grid map, said local operation sub-module additionally configured to perform a scatter laser coagulation of said retina under said remote physician's command in which a plurality of laser spots are applied to said retina by said laser generation system, acquire a plurality of post-procedure retinal images, and transmit said post-procedure retinal images to said remote site for evaluation and verification of treatment; said central control system being in communication with said laser-imaging apparatus, and including a remote control module and a second processor configured to receive and process command signals from said remote physician and transmit said command signals to said local control module; said remote control module including a remote operation sub-module configured to facilitate communications between said remote physician and said second processor, execute a virtual treatment of said retina, perform a test surgical procedure, and perform a fully automated and continuous laser coagulation procedure over the entire area of said retina in an actual control mode; said remote control module further including a remote operation and performance simulation sub-module and a remote safety and verification sub-module, said remote operation and performance simulation sub-module configured to test performance parameters of said local operation module and perform virtual treatment of said retina by said remote physician; said local and remote safety and verification sub-modules including physical, logical and medical safety constraints for safe operation of the system; and wherein said system for laser coagulation of said retina is in the form of a non-contact system that does not require the use of a contact lens.