Erbium Pulsed Laser Sclera Treatment for Presbyopia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Presbyopia, a condition causing difficulty in focusing on near objects due to age-related decline in accommodation, is not effectively addressed by existing treatments, which often involve invasive surgical methods with limitations in precision and thermal effects.
Innovation Solution
The use of an Erbium-based pulsed laser to direct energy onto the sclera and ciliary muscle, creating tissue treatments such as apertures or pits to enhance accommodation, allowing for non-corneal manipulations that increase the eye's ability to focus on both near and far objects, using techniques like laser ablation and fluid application to minimize thermal damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional surgical methods (scalpels, forceps, scissors) are used for non-corneal manipulations, then the procedure can be completed, but the precision and thermal control are insufficient causing excessive thermal damage and invasive trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical surgical instruments (scalpels, forceps, scissors) with an Erbium-based pulsed laser system that delivers electromagnetic energy to the sclera and ciliary muscle. This substitution enables precise tissue treatment through optical energy delivery, achieving controlled thermal effects without the mechanical trauma and uncontrolled thermal damage associated with conventional surgical tools. The laser system provides programmable energy delivery with precise spatial and temporal control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pulsed laser delivery where the Erbium-based laser emits energy in controlled pulses rather than continuous wave. This periodic action allows thermal energy to be delivered in discrete bursts, enabling precise heating of target tissues (sclera and ciliary muscle) while allowing cooling intervals between pulses. The pulsed regime prevents excessive thermal accumulation and damage to surrounding tissues, achieving the desired therapeutic effect with minimal harmful thermal side effects.
2Ease of operation
If conventional surgical methods are used, then the procedure can be performed, but the invasiveness and recovery time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical surgery with non-contact laser energy delivery. The Erbium-based pulsed laser treats the sclera and ciliary muscle through the conjunctiva without requiring incisions, sutures, or mechanical manipulation of tissues. This minimally invasive approach eliminates surgical wounds and reduces postoperative recovery time, allowing patients to resume normal activities much sooner than with conventional surgical methods.
3Reliability
If laser energy is applied to the sclera and ciliary muscle, then accommodation is enhanced, but uncontrolled thermal effects may cause tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pulsed laser delivery where the Erbium-based laser emits energy in controlled pulses to the sclera and ciliary muscle. The pulsed regime delivers thermal energy in discrete bursts with controlled duration and interval, ensuring that tissue heating reaches the threshold needed for accommodation enhancement without exceeding damage thresholds. The programmable pulse parameters (duration, frequency, energy per pulse) provide reliable and repeatable therapeutic effects while preventing uncontrolled thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an Erbium-based laser with specific wavelength characteristics that are absorbed by water in ocular tissues. By selecting this wavelength and adjusting pulse energy, duration, and repetition rate, the system achieves optimal thermal effects for stimulating accommodation while remaining below tissue damage thresholds. The parameter control includes adjustable pulse energy, pulse width, and repetition frequency, allowing precise tailoring of the thermal stimulus to the patient's needs.
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 method effectively mitigates presbyopia by increasing accommodation, enabling patients to see both near and far objects with improved precision and reduced thermal impact, utilizing a minimally invasive approach with the Er,Cr:YSGG laser for precise tissue treatments and fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
The source of treatment energy can comprise a source of electromagnetic energy, such as a laser. In certain implementations, the laser is an Erbium based, pulsed laser which emits optical energy into the sclera of the eye. Introduction of the treatment energy into the sclera can increase or facilitate an increase in accommodation of the eye
Data Source
AI summary
Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as the conjunctiva and sclera, to treat presbyopia. The treatments can affect at least one property of the eye and enhance an accommodation of the eye.