Handheld Ophthalmic Laser With Treatment Guide for Ciliary Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glaucoma treatments, including medications and surgical interventions, face challenges such as high costs, undesirable side effects, and difficulties in accurately targeting the ciliary body for therapeutic light delivery, which can lead to incomplete treatment and complications.
Innovation Solution
A handheld ophthalmic laser treatment device with a replaceable distal tip and a treatment guide that aligns the device with the ciliary process, allowing for precise delivery of therapeutic light, either through a single spot or multiple spots, using a battery-powered system that can operate independently of an AC power source, with adjustable parameters and a user interface for optimal treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medications are used to reduce aqueous humor production or increase outflow, then intraocular pressure is reduced, but cost increases and undesirable side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological intervention with a physical laser-based intervention. Instead of using medications that cause side effects, the invention uses a handheld laser device to deliver controlled thermal energy to the ciliary body, achieving IOP reduction through a mechanical/physical process rather than chemical interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the treatment parameter from chemical (medication) to physical (laser energy). By controlling laser power, pulse duration, and treatment location, the system achieves therapeutic effects without the systemic side effects associated with pharmacological approaches.
2Reliability
If destructive surgical interventions are used to increase outflow or lower production, then intraocular pressure is reduced, but risk of severe complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using low-power, non-destructive laser energy delivery. Instead of destructive cyclodestructive procedures that carry high risk, the invention uses controlled thermal laser energy at lower intensities to achieve therapeutic effects with minimal tissue damage and reduced complication risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces destructive mechanical surgical interventions with a non-invasive laser-based approach. The handheld laser device delivers controlled energy through the sclera to the ciliary body without requiring open surgery or destructive tissue removal, thereby reducing surgical complications.
3Ease of operation
If laser energy is directed through air or fiber optic handpieces, then treatment can be delivered, but accurate targeting of the ciliary body becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the sclera as an intermediary medium for laser energy delivery. The handheld device places the laser source in direct contact with or close proximity to the sclera, which acts as a transmission medium to deliver energy to the underlying ciliary body, eliminating the need for complex fiber optic coupling and improving targeting accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the laser source from a remote console and places it directly in a handheld device that can be positioned immediately against the eye. This extraction of the laser source from the traditional slit lamp setup enables direct, accurate targeting of the ciliary body without relying on air-based beam transmission or complex fiber optic handpieces.
4Reliability
If traditional laser systems are used, then treatment can be delivered, but dependency on AC power source and complex setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the laser system self-contained and portable by integrating the laser source, power supply, and control electronics into a single handheld device. The battery-powered design eliminates dependency on AC power and external console equipment, allowing the device to serve itself and be used in various clinical settings without complex infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the laser source, power supply, cooling system, and control interface into a single integrated handheld unit. This consolidation of previously separate components (laser console, fiber optic cable, handpiece) into one portable device reduces complexity and eliminates AC power dependency while maintaining reliable treatment delivery.
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 solution enables precise and effective delivery of therapeutic light to the ciliary process, reducing treatment time, minimizing side effects, and improving patient compliance, while allowing for use in various settings without the need for external power, thus addressing the limitations of existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
A therapeutic light source housed within the treatment device housing may generate therapeutic light
Data Source
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AI summary
In some embodiments, an ophthalmic laser system may be provided that does not include a traditional laser console. Instead, the treatment device may be configured to house the treatment light source within the device handle. Additionally, in some embodiments, the handheld treatment device may include a user interface, such as dials and buttons, for adjusting various parameters of the therapeutic light. With certain embodiments, the self-contained handheld treatment device may be operated independent of an AC power source. For example, in some embodiments, the handheld treatment device may be battery powered. Additionally, the handheld treatment device may be disposable or may utilize replaceable distal tips in certain embodiments. Certain embodiments may be particularly designed for transscleral cyclophotocoagulation. Also, treatment guides are provided that may be configured to couple with a treatment device to align the device with a target tissue of the eye.