Curved Laser Probe Segmentation for Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of ophthalmic surgical procedures due to the need for disposable, single-use laser probes, which require replacement for each treatment, necessitates a solution for reusing laser probes safely across multiple procedures.

Innovation Solution

A curved laser probe design featuring a reusable handle and single-use optic fiber, where the optic fiber is connected via transitory connectors that can be sterilized and reused, allowing for multiple surgical procedures while maintaining safety and effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If disposable single-use laser probes are used, then safety and effectiveness are maintained, but treatment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The laser probe is divided into two separate segments: a reusable handle and a disposable optic fiber. The handle containing the laser source can be sterilized and reused, while the optic fiber that contacts the patient is discarded after single use. This segmentation allows the expensive reusable components to be sanitized and reused, while the single-use components ensure safety without requiring the entire probe to be disposable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optic fiber is designed as a single-use component that is discarded after one procedure, while the handle is recovered, sterilized, and reused for subsequent procedures. This selective discarding and recovery approach maintains safety by ensuring the patient-contact component is never reused, while recovering the expensive laser source for multiple uses to reduce overall costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Loss of substance

If reusable laser probes are used, then treatment costs decrease, but safety risks increase due to sterilization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment costsVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the probe into a reusable handle and disposable optic fiber, the design eliminates the safety risks associated with reusing patient-contact components. The optic fiber is discarded after single use, ensuring no cross-contamination, while the handle can be properly sterilized between uses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optic fiber is designed as a low-cost, single-use component that is discarded after one procedure. This disposable approach eliminates the need for complex sterilization processes while maintaining safety, as each optic fiber is used only once and then disposed of, preventing any risk of contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If disposable laser probes are used, then safety is ensured, but device complexity increases due to replacement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidreplacement requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The laser probe is segmented into a permanent handle and a replaceable optic fiber cartridge. This design simplifies the replacement process by allowing the optic fiber to be quickly exchanged in the handle without requiring replacement of the entire probe assembly, reducing operational complexity while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple optic fibers. Once the handle is equipped with a sterile optic fiber, it can be used for multiple procedures on the same patient or in the same surgical field, reducing the frequency of replacements needed while maintaining safety standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design reduces the cost of ophthalmic surgical procedures by enabling the reuse of the laser probe while ensuring safety and maintaining the effectiveness of laser treatments, such as photocoagulation, by using a single-use optic fiber that can be sterilized and reused multiple times.

Implementation Method 1

an optic fiber configured to receive laser energy from the laser surgical machine and transmit the laser energy to a treatment site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10709504B2Curved laser probe with single-use optic fiber

Publication Date: 2020.07.14 KATALYST SURGICAL LLC

AI summary

A curved laser probe with single-use optic fiber may include a reusable handle, an optic fiber fixture, and a single-use optic fiber. The single-use optic fiber may include an optic fiber having an optic fiber distal end and an optic fiber proximal end. The optic fiber may be disposed in a first transitory connector having a first transitory connector distal end and a first transitory connector proximal end wherein the optic fiber distal end extends a fixed distance from the transitory connector distal end. The optic fiber may be disposed in a second transitory connector having a second transitory connector distal end and a second transitory connector proximal end wherein the optic fiber proximal end extends a fixed distance from the second transitory connector distal end. The first transitory connector may be inserted in the reusable handle and the second transitory connector may be inserted in the optic fiber fixture.