Excimer Laser Trabeculostomy for Glaucoma Risk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for glaucoma are invasive and may not effectively address elevated intraocular pressure until it causes significant optic nerve damage and vision loss, particularly in individuals at risk before symptoms appear.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using an excimer laser to create perforations in the trabecular meshwork during a surgical procedure, either prophylactically or concurrently with cataract treatment, to enhance fluid drainage and reduce intraocular pressure, even in patients without diagnosed glaucoma, by applying the laser energy through a small incision and combining it with phacoemulsification ultrasound for cataract removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional glaucoma treatments are used, then intraocular pressure can be reduced, but the treatments are invasive and may not effectively address elevated pressure until significant optic nerve damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of glaucoma treatmentVSAvoidinvasiveness of treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing laser trabeculostomy procedures on patients at risk of developing glaucoma before symptoms appear or significant damage occurs. The system identifies patients with risk factors (family history, age, ethnicity) and proactively treats them to prevent glaucoma progression, rather than waiting for diagnosis and then treating invasively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical interventions with laser-based treatment. Instead of invasive surgical procedures that physically manipulate eye tissues, the system uses excimer laser energy to create precise perforations in the trabecular meshwork, reducing the mechanical invasiveness while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If laser trabeculostomy is performed to create perforations in the trabecular meshwork, then fluid drainage is enhanced and intraocular pressure is reduced, but the procedure requires precision and carries risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid drainage efficiencyVSAvoidlaser placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through real-time monitoring during laser trabeculostomy procedures. The system uses intraoperative imaging and sensor feedback to adjust laser delivery parameters dynamically, ensuring precise placement of perforations in the trabecular meshwork while avoiding damage to surrounding structures. This closed-loop control maintains high precision despite the complexity of the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If prophylactic treatment is applied to patients at risk before symptoms appear, then vision loss can be prevented, but the treatment timing and patient selection require accurate risk assessment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevision preservationVSAvoidrisk assessment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses risk assessment tools and diagnostic intermediaries to identify patients who would benefit from prophylactic treatment. The system incorporates multiple risk factors (family history, age, ethnicity, ocular parameters) as intermediary indicators to predict glaucoma risk, enabling timely intervention before symptoms manifest. These intermediaries bridge the gap between normal eye examinations and definitive glaucoma diagnosis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 minimizes invasive procedures, reduces recovery time, and can prevent vision loss by lowering intraocular pressure and improving fluid drainage in patients at risk for glaucoma, even before symptoms manifest.

Implementation Method 1

applying, through an incision in an eye of a patient, excimer laser energy to create perforations in a trabecular meshwork of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

applying, through the incision in the eye, phacoemulsification ultrasound to the patient diagnosed as having the cataracts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11877951B1Systems and methods for applying excimer laser energy with transverse placement in the eye

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 ELIOS VISION INC

AI summary

An illustrative method of delivering laser energy to a surface of a trabecular meshwork of an eye includes inserting a probe into the eye and delivering, at multiple locations along the trabecular meshwork, shots of the laser energy via the probe to create a plurality of perforations in the trabecular meshwork. The plurality of perforations form a line or curve that is transverse to a Schlemm's canal in the eye.