Document Detail


Effect of air-flow on the evaluation of refractive surgery ablation patterns.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21369297     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Data-Review    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
An Allegretto Eye-Q laser platform (Wavelight GmbH, Erlangen, Germany) was used to study the effect of air-flow speed on the ablation of artificial polymer corneas used for testing refractive surgery patterns. Flat samples of two materials (PMMA and Filofocon A) were ablated at four different air flow conditions. The shape and profile of the ablated surfaces were measured with a precise non-contact optical surface profilometer. Significant asymmetries in the measured profiles were found when the ablation was performed with the clinical air aspiration system, and also without air flow. Increasing air-flow produced deeper ablations, improved symmetry, and increased the repeatability of the ablation pattern. Shielding of the laser pulse by the plume of smoke during the ablation of plastic samples reduced the central ablation depth by more than 40% with no-air flow, 30% with clinical air aspiration, and 5% with 1.15 m/s air flow. A simple model based on non-inertial dragging of the particles by air flow predicts no central shielding with 2.3 m/s air flow, and accurately predicts (within 2 μm) the decrease of central ablation depth by shielding. The shielding effects for PMMA and Filofocon A were similar despite the differences in the ablation properties of the materials and the different full-shielding transmission coefficient, which is related to the number of particles ejected and their associated optical behavior. Air flow is a key factor in the evaluation of ablation patterns in refractive surgery using plastic models, as significant shielding effects are found with typical air-flow levels used under clinical conditions. Shielding effects can be avoided by tuning the air flow to the laser repetition rate.
Authors:
Carlos Dorronsoro; Silvia Schumacher; Pablo Pérez-Merino; Jan Siegel; Michael Mrochen; Susana Marcos
Related Documents :
21231017 - Direct measurement of the flow field around swimming microorganisms.
1103617 - Filtration and infusion phlebitis: a double-blind prospective clinical study.
2339527 - Clinical efficacy of five filters specific for leukocyte removal.
15248547 - Assessing blood flow control through a bootstrap method.
8792897 - Subcutaneous blood flow in man during sleep with continuous epidural anaesthesia.
20205927 - Evaluation of a pig femoral head osteonecrosis model.
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Optics express     Volume:  19     ISSN:  1094-4087     ISO Abbreviation:  Opt Express     Publication Date:  2011 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-03-03     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101137103     Medline TA:  Opt Express     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  4653-66     Citation Subset:  IM    
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Improved detection sensitivity of D-mannitol crystalline phase content using differential spectral p...
Next Document:  Near-field investigation of THz surface-wave emission from optically excited graphite flakes.