Adjustable-Optics Fiber Probe for Low-Pain Glaucoma Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber probes for laser treatment of glaucoma are painful, require anesthesia, can cause bleeding and contamination, and need experienced medical personnel due to anatomical variations among patients.
Innovation Solution
A handheld fiber probe with adjustable optics, featuring two lenses that can be manually varied to focus the laser beam, allowing precise targeting and reducing laser energy input, and a design that prevents contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If fiber probe is placed on eye with pressure and large laser energy is applied, then laser treatment effectiveness is improved, but treatment pain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable optics that allow dynamic modification of the laser beam focus during treatment. The optical system can be adjusted to create different focal points, enabling the practitioner to optimize the balance between laser energy delivery and pain management for each patient's specific anatomical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the laser beam by providing adjustable lenses that can modify focus, beam diameter, and convergence angle. These parameter adjustments allow the same laser power to produce different tissue interaction characteristics, reducing pain while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
2Power
If fiber probe is placed on eye with pressure, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but bleeding risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable optical system allows dynamic adaptation to patient anatomy, enabling the practitioner to optimize focus depth and beam distribution to avoid vascular structures and reduce bleeding risk while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
By adjusting optical parameters such as focal distance and beam convergence, the system can deliver laser energy more precisely to target tissues while sparing surrounding vascular structures, thereby reducing bleeding risk.
3Device complexity
If fixed optics are used in fiber probe, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different patient anatomies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed optical system into a dynamic one by incorporating adjustable lenses that can be repositioned along the optical axis. This allows the same device to adapt to different patient anatomies, age groups, and treatment requirements without increasing fundamental device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable optical system enables a single fiber probe design to serve multiple functions and patient populations. By varying the focus and beam characteristics, the same device can treat different anatomical locations and conditions, enhancing versatility without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The probe provides a gentler, less painful treatment without anesthesia, reduces bleeding risks, and improves operability by allowing focus adjustment to fit individual patient anatomy.
Implementation Method 1
The fiber probe (2) has a housing (10) having a front end, which is also referred to below as the distal contact end (18), which is designed to rest on the eye
Implementation Method 2
The fiber probe has optics for beam shaping, in particular for focusing the laser light. These optics have at least two lenses, namely a front and a rear lens
Implementation Method 3
the contact end has a concavely curved surface that is fitted to the human eye
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld fiber probe provides laser treatment of medical tissue. In the assembled state, the fiber probe contains a housing having a front end with an exit point for laser light, and a fiber optic cable having an optical fiber with a fiber termination. The fiber termination of the optical fiber is disposed in the housing. Lenses are provided including a front lens and a rear lens being adjusted relative to one another by a user, so that a laser beam can be varied by varying a distance between the front and rear lenses. The rear lens are a monolithic part of the fiber termination and is formed by fusing the fiber termination.