Laser Capsulorrhexis for Stable Lens Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for capsulorrhexis in cataract surgery face challenges such as errant tears, difficulty in visualizing and grasping the capsule, maintaining anterior chamber depth, and issues with older patients or young children due to mechanical limitations, leading to complications like posterior capsule tears and misalignment of intraocular lenses.
Innovation Solution
The use of a scanning treatment laser beam with a programmed scan profile to create a closed curve on the anterior lens capsule, causing thermal denaturing of collagen without ablation, along with a visualization laser beam to aid in alignment and tissue separation, minimizing shear stress and promoting a stable capsulorrhexis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual capsulorrhexis is performed using forceps or needle, then the surgeon can create a capsular opening, but errant tears and radial rips may occur leading to posterior capsule tears
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (forceps/needle) with a laser-based system that uses photothermal effects to create the capsulorrhexis. The laser beam delivers energy to the capsule tissue, causing controlled thermal denaturation and separation without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating errant tears associated with manual manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser energy as an intermediary between the surgeon's intent and the capsule tissue. The laser beam acts as a mediator that transfers energy precisely to the target location, enabling controlled tissue separation without direct mechanical contact that could cause unintended tears
2Ease of operation
If manual capsulorrhexis is performed, then the surgeon can create an opening, but adequate visualization of the capsule is difficult due to lack of red reflex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the laser's visible wavelength to create a visualization pattern that appears as a colored ring on the capsule surface. This optical effect provides enhanced contrast and visibility of the capsule and treatment zone, overcoming the visualization limitations caused by lack of red reflex in cataractous eyes
3Stability of the object's composition
If manual capsulorrhexis is performed, then the surgeon can create an opening, but maintaining anterior chamber depth is difficult after initial opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the capsulorrhexis creation and initial stabilization as a single integrated laser procedure. The laser creates the opening and simultaneously allows for immediate control of the capsular edges, enabling maintenance of anterior chamber depth without the difficulty of manual manipulation after opening
4Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical capsulorrhexis is performed on older patients or young children, then the procedure can be attempted, but the capsule is too soft and elastic to be mechanically ruptured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rupture approach with a photothermal mechanism. The laser energy directly heats and denatures the collagen in the capsule tissue, causing controlled separation without relying on mechanical strength. This approach works effectively regardless of the capsule's elastic properties in older patients or children
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanism of action from mechanical force to thermal energy. By using laser energy to raise the temperature of the capsule tissue to the point of collagen denaturation, the procedure becomes independent of the capsule's mechanical strength and elasticity, making it adaptable to patients of all ages including those with unusually soft or elastic capsules
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 reduces the risk of tears and misalignment, enhances the mechanical integrity of the capsulorrhexis, and ensures precise and stable positioning of the intraocular lens, improving the long-term success of cataract surgery by creating a strong and elastic capsular rim.
Implementation Method 1
a power selected to cause thermal denaturing of collagen in the anterior lens capsule resulting in thermal tissue separation along the closed curve without ablating anterior lens capsule tissue
Implementation Method 2
a wavelength selected to be strongly absorbed at the anterior lens capsule
Data Source
AI summary
Laser assisted cataract surgery methods and devices utilizing one or more treatment laser beams to create a shaped opening in the anterior lens capsule of the eye when performing a capsulorrhexis procedure. A light absorbing agent may optionally be added onto or into the lens capsule tissue, and the treatment laser wavelength selected to be strongly absorbed by the light absorbing agent. Alternatively, the treatment laser wavelength may be selected to be absorbed or strongly absorbed by the tissue itself, in which case no additional light absorbing agent need be used. Visualization patterns produced with one or more target laser beams may be projected onto the lens capsule tissue to aid in the procedure. The devices may be attached to or integrated with microscopes.