Paper
18 March 2016 Eye safety analysis for non-uniform retinal scanning laser trajectories
Uwe Schelinski, Hans-Georg Dallmann, Heinrich Grüger, Jens Knobbe, Tino Pügner, Peter Reinig, Franziska Woittennek
Author Affiliations +
Abstract
Scanning the retinae of the human eyes with a laser beam is an approved diagnosis method in ophthalmology; moreover the retinal blood vessels form a biometric modality for identifying persons. Medical applied Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopes (SLOs) usually contain galvanometric mirror systems to move the laser spot with a defined speed across the retina. Hence, the load of laser radiation is uniformly distributed and eye safety requirements can be easily complied. Micro machined mirrors also known as Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) are interesting alternatives for designing retina scanning systems. In particular double-resonant MEMS are well suited for mass fabrication at low cost. However, their Lissajous-shaped scanning figure requires a particular analysis and specific measures to meet the requirements for a Class 1 laser device, i.e. eye-safe operation. The scanning laser spot causes a non-uniform pulsing radiation load hitting the retinal elements within the field of view (FoV). The relevant laser safety standards define a smallest considerable element for eye-related impacts to be a point source that is visible with an angle of maximum 1.5 mrad. For non-uniform pulsing expositions onto retinal elements the standard requires to consider all particular impacts, i.e. single pulses, pulse sequences in certain time intervals and cumulated laser radiation loads. As it may be expected, a Lissajous scanning figure causes the most critical radiation loads at its edges and borders. Depending on the applied power the laser has to be switched off here to avoid any retinal injury.
© (2016) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Uwe Schelinski, Hans-Georg Dallmann, Heinrich Grüger, Jens Knobbe, Tino Pügner, Peter Reinig, and Franziska Woittennek "Eye safety analysis for non-uniform retinal scanning laser trajectories", Proc. SPIE 9700, Design and Quality for Biomedical Technologies IX, 97000B (18 March 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2209296
Advertisement
Advertisement
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission  Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace
KEYWORDS
Laser safety

Eye

Microelectromechanical systems

Retina

Mirrors

Near infrared

Pulsed laser operation

RELATED CONTENT

The hazard of accommodation and scanning LIDARs
Proceedings of SPIE (May 28 2018)
Biophysical and medical safety basis of laser emission
Proceedings of SPIE (January 08 1996)
Safe use of ultrashort lasers
Proceedings of SPIE (June 04 1999)

Back to Top