Femtosecond Laser Micromachined Polymer Eye Scope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gonioscopes are bulky, expensive, and provide reversed images, making it difficult for ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat conditions, especially in peripheral regions of the eye, due to their oblique viewing angles and total internal reflection issues.
Innovation Solution
The development of eye scopes with polymer members modified by femtosecond laser micromachining to create wavefront patterns that deflect light, allowing direct viewing of interior eye structures at steep angles, including the anterior chamber angle, using transparent rigid support members and patient contact interfaces for intuitive observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional gonioscopes use mirrors or prisms to view the anterior chamber angle, then the viewing angle is improved, but the device becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-bending function from bulky mirrors and prisms, concentrating it into a thin polymer layer with micromachined wavefront patterns. This layer is positioned close to the eye, eliminating the need for large optical components while achieving the same light deflection effect for viewing anterior chamber angle structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror/prism system with an optical wavefront modulation approach. The micromachined polymer layer uses precisely controlled refractive index variations to bend light, substituting mechanical reflection-based systems with a more compact optical modulation system.
2Loss of information
If indirect goniolenses use prisms to correct reverse images, then image orientation is improved, but the instrument becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the image orientation correction function from bulky prism assemblies and implements it through wavefront pattern design in a thin polymer layer. The micromachined patterns are configured to both deflect light to the viewing angle and correct image orientation simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate prism-based correction mechanisms.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If direct goniolenses are placed on the cornea to view the anterior chamber angle, then the viewing position is improved, but the patient must lie down and the device cannot be used with an ordinary slit lamp
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the scope system to be adaptable to multiple viewing configurations. The polymer layer can be positioned close to the eye while working with various slit lamp configurations, and the system can accommodate both direct and indirect viewing arrangements, making it universally applicable to different clinical settings and patient positions.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional scopes use oblique angles to view anterior chamber structures, then the viewing angle is improved, but total internal reflection hides the structures from view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the micromachined polymer layer as an intermediary optical element between the viewer and the anterior chamber angle structures. This layer actively manipulates light waves to overcome total internal reflection by creating wavefront patterns that extract and redirect light rays that would otherwise be trapped, making hidden structures visible.
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
Enables direct and intuitive viewing of interior eye structures, simplifying diagnosis and treatment by providing clear, non-reversed images of peripheral regions, reducing the need for bulky equipment and allowing for more effective treatment of conditions like glaucoma and retinal detachment.
Implementation Method 1
an internal layer modified by femtosecond laser micromachining to alter the refractive index to have a wavefront pattern that deflects light passing through the polymer member
Implementation Method 2
a wavefront pattern that deflects light passing through the polymer member from the distal to the proximal side
Data Source
AI summary
Scopes for viewing interior chambers of the eye include a refractive hydrogel polymer button formed by femtosecond laser micro-machining. The refractive button is sandwiched between two transparent plates and mounted on an ocular adapted to be placed directly on the cornea. A physician may look directly through the scope to see anatomical structures at very steep angles within the eye, such as to function as a gonioscope when viewing the anterior chamber angle. The scopes can be modified for viewing a variety of anatomical structures within the eye, and can also be used in conjunction with treatments such as by guiding injections or laser procedures. The refractive button has at least one region with a wavefront pattern of linear steps formed therein. Multiple regions with different wavefront patterns provide the physician with greater flexibility. The refractive button may be rotated relative to the ocular to further customize the image.