Four-Mirror SLT Lens Eliminates Rotation for 360-Degree Trabecular Meshwork Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) procedures using a single mirror lens are inefficient due to the need for continuous rotation, leading to reduced accuracy, increased procedure time, and patient discomfort, as well as insufficient energy delivery to the trabecular meshwork.
Innovation Solution
A four-mirror lens device and a modified method that utilize four internal reflectors to direct laser pulses to different quadrants of the eye, allowing for simultaneous 360-degree coverage without lens rotation, thereby increasing accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single mirror lens is used to direct laser shots to the trabecular meshwork, then the laser can be delivered to the eye, but the lens must be rotated several times during the procedure which significantly reduces overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The single mirror lens is divided into four separate mirror segments arranged in a circular pattern. Each mirror segment directs laser energy to a specific quadrant of the trabecular meshwork. This segmentation allows all four quadrants to be treated simultaneously without rotation, resolving the contradiction between procedure efficiency and device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If laser energy is delivered to the trabecular meshwork, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but continuous lens rotation is required to cover the entire 360 degrees which increases procedure time
Solution Approach 1:
The lens divides the 360-degree field into four static quadrants, each covered by a dedicated mirror segment. This eliminates the time-consuming rotation required in single-mirror systems while maintaining precise laser delivery to each quadrant simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
All four mirror segments deliver laser energy continuously and simultaneously to their respective quadrants without interruption for rotation. This continuous parallel action reduces total procedure time while maintaining treatment completeness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lens is rotated continuously during the procedure, then all quadrants can be covered, but patient comfort is reduced due to movement
Solution Approach 1:
The four stationary mirror segments provide comprehensive 360-degree coverage without requiring lens rotation. The patient experiences no movement discomfort while all quadrants are treated simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.
4Reliability
If laser shots are spread across the trabecular meshwork, then selective photothermolysis is achieved, but the single mirror lens requires multiple rotations reducing energy delivery efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Each of the four mirror segments independently directs laser energy to a specific quadrant, enabling selective photothermolysis in all quadrants simultaneously. This parallel energy delivery increases overall productivity while maintaining the reliability of selective cell disruption through preserved wavelength, pulse duration, and spot size parameters.
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 four-mirror lens device and method enable precise and efficient delivery of laser energy to the entire trabecular meshwork, reducing procedure time and minimizing collateral damage, while maintaining patient comfort by eliminating the need for continuous lens rotation.
Implementation Method 1
Each internal reflector can include a mirrored or reflective surface that is configured to direct light or laser pulses to a particular quadrant of the patient's eye
Implementation Method 2
The laser shots in the SLT procedure treat the TM with a specific wavelength light that is predominately absorbed by the melanin residing in the TM
Implementation Method 3
SLT uses a Q-switched, frequency-doubled, Nd:YAG laser to selectively target the melanin-containing cells of the trabecular meshwork or selective photothermolysis
Data Source
AI summary
A lens device for use in Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) procedures is provided. The lens device includes four internal reflectors, each having a reflector surface configured direct a laser beam pulse toward the trabecular meshwork region of a patient's eye. Each of the four internal reflectors is arranged to correspond to a particular quadrant of the patient's eye to enable the entire 360-degrees of the trabecular meshwork to be treated with laser pulses without rotation of the lens device. A method for performing an SLT procedure using the lens device is also provided. The method includes placing the lens device of the patient's eye, aligning the internal reflectors with the quadrants of the patient's eye, directing laser pulses through each internal reflector until the trabecular meshwork in each quadrant of the patient's eye has been treated.