Intraocular Imaging Probe for Precise Schlemm's Canal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glaucoma treatments, particularly minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedures, face challenges in accurately aligning surgical instruments with Schlemm's canal due to its invisibility during normal ocular pressure, leading to potential misplacement of implants and complications such as tearing of the trabecular meshwork and dislodgment.
Innovation Solution
A combined treatment and imaging probe system, comprising a camera and optical fibers, is inserted into the eye to provide real-time, augmented images of anatomical structures like Schlemm's canal, allowing precise alignment and placement of implants through a heads-up display that overlays markers on the microscope image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a surgeon estimates the location of Schlemm's canal without imaging assistance, then the procedure is simpler and faster, but the alignment accuracy with Schlemm's canal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An imaging probe is introduced as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and Schlemm's canal. The probe captures images of the canal's location and transmits them to a display system, enabling the surgeon to visually identify and align with the canal without direct physical contact or complex pre-operative imaging procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual estimation and mechanical alignment methods with an optical imaging system. Instead of relying on surgical skill and mechanical guides alone, the system uses cameras, light sources, and digital display to provide visual feedback for precise positioning of the treatment probe relative to Schlemm's canal.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If Schlemm's canal is visualized by lowering eye pressure to allow blood entry, then the canal becomes visible, but once the trabecular meshwork is penetrated, blood enters the anterior chamber and visualization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging probe serves as a mediator that can detect and visualize Schlemm's canal under various pressure conditions. The system includes a camera positioned to view the canal, a light source to illuminate it, and a display to present the image, allowing continuous visualization regardless of pressure changes or blood presence in the anterior chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy (image) of Schlemm's canal that can be displayed and analyzed separately from the actual anatomical structure. This optical copy allows the surgeon to identify the canal's location and characteristics without being affected by changes in the actual viewing conditions inside the eye.
3Reliability
If an implant is placed without accurate assessment of Schlemm's canal location, then the procedure is faster, but the implant may not be fully placed in the canal or may become dislodged
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system provides real-time feedback to the surgeon during implant placement. The camera continuously monitors the position of the treatment probe and implant relative to Schlemm's canal, allowing the surgeon to verify proper positioning before final implantation and to make adjustments if the implant is not fully seated or is at risk of dislodgment.
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 surgical accuracy by enabling consistent and uniform creation of openings in Schlemm's canal for improved aqueous fluid outflow, reducing complications and improving surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a camera and optical fibers, is inserted into the eye to provide real-time, augmented images of anatomical structures
Implementation Method 2
one or more light sources and a camera positioned to image the distal end of the probe and collector channels
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging probe comprises a camera or endoscope with an external detector array, in which the probe is sized and shaped for surgical placement in an eye to image the eye from an interior of the eye during treatment. The imaging probe and a treatment probe 500 can be coupled together with a fastener or contained within a housing. The imaging probe and the treatment probe 500 can be sized and shaped to enter the eye through an incision in the cornea and image one or more of the ciliary body band or the scleral spur. The treatment probe 500 may comprise a treatment optical fiber or a surgical placement device to deliver an implant. A processor coupled to the detector can be configured with instructions to identify a location of one or more of the ciliary body band, the scleral spur, Schwalbe's line, or Schlemm's canal from the image.