Intrascleral Laser Probe for Pre-Coagulating Scleral Vasculature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating glaucoma by implanting drug-eluting devices in the eye cause excessive bleeding due to incisions through the scleral vasculature, and existing delivery methods face challenges in effectively targeting tissues through the sclera due to its thickness and optical properties.
Innovation Solution
The method involves partially penetrating the sclera with a probe to deliver light energy, such as laser energy within the visible light spectrum, to coagulate underlying vasculature, using a probe with depth control to minimize tissue damage and ensure effective treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an incision is formed in the sclera to place an implant, then the implant can be positioned to increase aqueous humor outflow, but excessive bleeding occurs from the underlying choroid vasculature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by coagulating the choroid vasculature before forming the scleral incision. The method involves delivering laser energy through the sclera to coagulate underlying blood vessels prior to implant insertion, thereby preventing excessive bleeding during and after the procedure while maintaining effective implant placement
2Ease of operation
If the sclera is fully penetrated to deliver treatment to target tissues, then direct access to underlying structures is achieved, but tissue damage and bleeding increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by penetrating the sclera only partially rather than fully. The needle penetrates the sclera to a controlled depth that is sufficient to deliver laser energy to the target tissues (such as the choroid or ciliary body) but stops before causing excessive tissue damage or triggering significant bleeding from the vasculature
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional transcleral methods are used to deliver treatment, then the sclera's thickness and optical properties are overcome, but precise targeting of underlying tissues is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the sclera itself as an intermediary medium. By delivering laser energy through the sclera in a controlled manner, the method utilizes the scleral tissue to transmit and focus the energy to the target tissues, achieving precise targeting while accounting for the sclera's thickness and optical properties rather than trying to overcome them
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 prevents bleeding and allows for precise delivery of treatment to target tissues without damaging surrounding structures, overcoming the limitations of conventional transcleral methods.
Implementation Method 1
delivering treatment light energy through the fiber at the first location so as to coagulate vasculature underlying the sclera within the incision
Implementation Method 2
coagulate vasculature underlying the sclera within the incision
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of treating an eye are provided that entail partially penetrating the sclera and delivering light energy from an optical fiber within the penetration to treat the a target tissue in the eye, for example, to coagulate vasculature underlying the sclera within a planned incision area. Also provided are treatment probes for treating an eye of a patient includes an elongate body that defines a handle and an advanceable penetrating member and optical fiber housed within the elongate body. The probe is configured to advance the penetrating member so as to penetrate the sclera, only partially, and advance the treatment fiber into the penetration to deliver treatment light energy to coagulate the vasculature underlying the sclera. The probe can include one or more penetrating members and corresponding optical fibers to form one or more penetrations concurrently within the planned incision area.