Dynamic Optical Surgical System for Retinal Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic surgical laser systems are time-consuming, fatiguing, and costly due to their complexity and lack of direct correlation between the physician's visual field and the pattern of treatment light, making them inefficient for procedures like retinal photocoagulation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device that simultaneously moves the treatment beam and the physician's field of view, allowing for a predetermined pattern of treatment light to be applied to the target tissue while maintaining peripheral viewing, using a combination of a light source assembly, microscope, and translation device to align and control the beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single-shot step and repeat approach is used for laser treatment, then the physician can precisely control each laser pulse, but the treatment becomes time-consuming and fatiguing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic scanning optics that continuously move the laser beam across the retinal tissue in predetermined patterns, transforming the static single-shot approach into a dynamic continuous treatment process. The scanning mirrors rapidly deflect the beam to deliver multiple pulses along defined trajectories, enabling high-speed treatment while maintaining precision through controlled beam movement and timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes continuous laser beam delivery by scanning the beam continuously across the treatment area rather than delivering discrete isolated pulses. The laser operates in continuous wave or high-repetition mode while the scanning optics move the beam along predetermined patterns, ensuring uninterrupted treatment delivery and maximizing productivity without sacrificing precision.
2Productivity
If simultaneous multiple spot delivery devices are used to increase treatment speed, then productivity improves, but the laser system becomes inordinately complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the treatment process by dividing the retinal area into multiple scan lines and patterns that are sequentially traversed by the scanning beam. Instead of using multiple simultaneous beams, the system delivers treatment in segmented passes along predetermined trajectories, achieving comprehensive coverage through systematic scanning patterns while maintaining a simple single-beam laser source.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning optics act as an intermediary that transforms a single stationary laser beam into multiple moving treatment spots across the retinal tissue. The mirrors and optical scanning mechanisms mediate between the simple single-beam source and the complex pattern of multiple treatment locations, enabling high-speed multi-spot delivery without requiring a complicated multi-source laser system.
3Productivity
If scanning optics are used to create patterns of sequential therapeutic spots, then treatment speed increases, but the system cost and complexity increase due to elaborate pattern sensing and feedback systems
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning optics system is self-contained and self-controlled, using predetermined programmed scan patterns stored in memory to automatically guide the beam trajectory. The system does not require external pattern sensing or complex feedback mechanisms because the scan paths are pre-defined and executed autonomously by the scanning control system, simplifying the overall architecture while maintaining high-speed patterned delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment patterns and scan trajectories are predetermined and pre-programmed before treatment begins. The scanning optics execute pre-planned paths across the retinal tissue, eliminating the need for real-time pattern sensing or adaptive feedback during treatment. This preliminary preparation of scan patterns enables high-speed autonomous operation without complex sensing systems.
4Ease of operation
If manual laser procedures are performed with footswitch activation for each pulse, then the physician maintains full control, but the procedure becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time feedback by continuously displaying the scan pattern and beam position on a monitor that shows the physician's field of view. The physician can observe the predetermined pattern being executed and monitor treatment progress, maintaining situational awareness and control while the automated scanning handles the tedious repetitive activation, dramatically reducing procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a visual copy or representation of the treatment pattern displayed on a monitor that mirrors what the physician sees through the microscope. This visual copy allows the physician to verify pattern accuracy and monitor treatment without manually controlling each pulse, enabling automated high-speed delivery while maintaining oversight through the visual representation of the scan pattern.
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 approach enhances the speed and safety of laser surgeries by allowing rapid treatment of large areas while maintaining the beams at the center of the physician's vision, reducing fatigue and complexity, and is cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source for generating a treatment beam of light to be translated across the target tissue in a predetermined pattern
Implementation Method 2
a translation device for translating the light source assembly and the microscope together in a predetermined pattern, thereby translating the treatment beam and the field of view across the target tissue
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method of treating target tissue that includes generating a treatment beam of light using a light source, directing the treatment beam onto target tissue using an optical element, generating an image of the target tissue from light emanating from the target tissue using a plurality of optical elements, and translating the light source, the optical element and/or the plurality of optical elements relative to the target tissue (using a translation device) to simultaneously move the treatment beam along the target tissue and the field of view of the target tissue as defined by the plurality of optical elements. Control electronics control the translation device to cause the treatment beam to move along the target tissue in a predetermined pattern.