Q-Switched Laser Iris Color Change via Selective Melanocyte Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for changing the color appearance of the iris are inefficient and may cause damage to the eye, as they require lengthy processes and can impair the functional integrity of the iris due to the removal of melanocytes through the Schlemm's Canal, leading to potential increased intraocular pressure.
Innovation Solution
A non-surgical method involving the application of predefined energy quantities, such as laser pulses, to selectively ablate melanocytes in the anterior stroma layer, with the ablated tissue debris being discharged into the anterior eye chamber via a mechanically generated flow of rinsing solution, allowing for efficient and gentle pigment density modification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser beam irradiation is used to destroy melanin or kill melanocytes in the stroma layer, then the color appearance of the iris can be changed, but the treatment process becomes lengthy and requires multiple sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies Q-switched laser technology which delivers high peak power in ultra-short pulses (nanosecond duration). By changing the temporal parameters of laser delivery (high peak power, short pulse duration, low average power), the treatment achieves rapid pigment destruction in a single session without thermal damage to surrounding tissues, resolving the contradiction between treatment efficiency and treatment duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pulsed laser delivery with specific pulse durations in the nanosecond range. This periodic action delivers energy in concentrated bursts rather than continuous illumination, allowing complete pigment destruction in one treatment session while avoiding cumulative thermal effects that would require multiple sessions.
2Productivity
If melanin pigments are removed from the anterior stroma layer to change eye color, then the desired blue color appearance is achieved, but the posterior pigment layer may be damaged causing functional impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs selective laser absorption where the laser wavelength is specifically chosen to be absorbed by melanin pigments in the anterior stroma layer but not by the posterior pigment layer. This creates local quality differentiation where only the target anterior pigments are affected while the posterior functional layer remains intact, resolving the contradiction between color change effectiveness and functional integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or chemical methods of pigment removal with optical field-based Q-switched laser ablation. This non-contact, selective energy delivery allows precise targeting of anterior melanin without physical disruption or chemical damage to the posterior pigment layer, maintaining iris functional reliability while achieving desired color change.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If gentle procedures are used to decrease melanin pigment density, then tissue damage is minimized, but the color change process becomes slower and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of energy delivery to ultra-short nanosecond pulses with high peak power. This parameter change allows the energy to be delivered so rapidly that pigment destruction occurs before thermal conduction can damage surrounding tissues, achieving both gentle tissue interaction and rapid color change in a single treatment session.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses Q-switched laser pulses that deliver the entire treatment effect in ultra-short nanosecond bursts, rushing through the pigment destruction process so quickly that thermal diffusion to surrounding tissues is minimized. This allows aggressive pigment removal without proportional tissue damage, resolving the contradiction between treatment speed and tissue safety.
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 enables rapid and efficient change in iris color by minimizing tissue damage and avoiding prolonged treatment sessions, reducing the risk of intraocular pressure issues by directly removing melanocyte debris through the anterior eye chamber flow.
Implementation Method 1
it is proposed to use a laser beam for irradiating the stroma layer such that either the melanin is destroyed, or such that the pigmented cells, i.e. the melanocytes, are selectively killed
Implementation Method 2
use a laser beam for irradiating the stroma layer such that either the melanin is destroyed
Implementation Method 3
use a laser beam for irradiating the stroma layer such that either the melanin is destroyed, or such that the pigmented cells, i.e. the melanocytes, are selectively killed
Data Source
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AI summary
The underlying invention is directed to a method for changing the human perceptual color appearance of the iris (4) of a human's or animal's eye (1) by selectively decreasing the density of pigments of the anterior stroma layer (8) of the iris (4), the method comprising the steps of generating a plurality of predefined energy quantities (14); applying one or more of the predefined energy quantities (14) to the anterior stroma layer (8), wherein each of the predefined energy quantities (14) is generated and applied such that it ablates at least in part melanocytes (15) of the stroma (6), wherein the predefined energy quantities (14) at least in part are generated and applied in such a way that ablated tissue (16) generated as an immediate cause of the energy quantities is discharged into the anterior eye chamber (9) such that the discharged tissue (16) can be removed by maintaining a mechanically generated flow (17) of rinsing solution through or within the anterior eye chamber (9).