Illuminated Laser Probe Alignment for Glaucoma Ciliary Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glaucoma treatments, such as medications and surgical interventions, have undesirable side effects and challenges in accurately delivering laser energy to the ciliary body for reducing intraocular pressure, particularly due to anatomical variations among patients.
Innovation Solution
A treatment probe with an illumination light conduit and a treatment fiber that allows for precise illumination and delivery of laser energy to the ciliary process, adjusting the angle and position of illumination light to align with the ciliary process, and a convex contact surface for sliding along the eye's surface to facilitate accurate laser application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser energy is delivered to the ciliary body to reduce intraocular pressure, then treatment efficacy is improved, but accuracy of targeting is worsened due to anatomical variations among patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses illumination light to change the visual appearance of the treatment area, allowing the ciliary process to be visually identified through illumination. This enables accurate positioning of the laser treatment on the ciliary body despite anatomical variations, as the illuminated structure provides real-time visual feedback for precise targeting.
2Device complexity
If conventional laser delivery methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but safety is worsened due to risk of unintended tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces illumination light as an intermediary between the laser delivery system and the target tissue. This intermediary provides visual guidance that mediates the interaction between the surgeon and the anatomical structure, enabling safe and precise laser application while minimizing the risk of damaging unintended tissues.
3Measurement precision
If visual guidance is added to the treatment probe, then targeting accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination light conduit and laser treatment fiber into a single integrated treatment probe. This merging of functions allows the probe to simultaneously provide visual guidance and deliver laser energy, improving targeting accuracy while minimizing the increase in device complexity through functional integration.
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
Enhances the accuracy and safety of laser treatment by providing visual guidance for targeting the ciliary process, reducing the risk of unintended tissue damage and improving treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination light conduit for delivering illuminating light to an eye from a distal end of the illumination light conduit
Implementation Method 2
a treatment fiber for delivering a treatment laser to the eye from a distal end of the treatment fiber
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates systems, methods, and devices for treating an eye of a patient. In some embodiments, a system may be provided that includes a console for generating a treatment laser and an illumination light. The system may further include a treatment probe for delivering the illumination light to an eye so as to illuminate the ciliary process of the eye. With the illuminated ciliary process, the treatment probe may be aligned to deliver the treatment laser from the console to the ciliary process of the eye for the purpose of treating a patient for glaucoma. In some embodiments, a treatment probe may be provided with an illumination fiber for delivering light to specific portions of the eye or at desired angles in order to illuminate the ciliary process. In some embodiments a treatment probe may be configured to cooperate with a removable light pen for eye illumination.