Illuminated Laser Probe with Adjustable Fiber Tip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic surgical instruments lack the ability to simultaneously provide precise illumination and adjustable laser light to the surgical site, limiting the surgeon's control over the surgical field during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A manually manipulatable surgical probe with integrated illumination and laser optic fibers, where the laser fiber can be retracted or extended from the tip, allowing for adjustable illumination and precise laser light delivery to the surgical site, facilitated by a mechanism operated by the surgeon's finger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single probe provides both illumination and laser light, then surgical precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines illumination and laser delivery functions into a single probe structure. The probe includes an illumination optic fiber and a laser optic fiber that share common structural elements (handle, tip, and a movable component), merging two functions into one integrated device to improve surgical precision while managing complexity through shared architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe is designed as a multi-functional instrument that can simultaneously provide illumination light and laser light to the surgical site. The single probe structure serves multiple purposes: delivering illumination for visualization and laser energy for surgical procedures, making it a universal tool for ophthalmic surgery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the laser fiber is made extendable from the tip, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser optic fiber is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move between retracted and extended positions relative to the probe tip. This dynamic configuration enables the laser fiber to adapt to different surgical requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall probe structure through the use of a straightforward extension mechanism.
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 precise control over illumination and laser light delivery, enhancing surgical precision and flexibility during ophthalmic and potentially other surgical procedures by allowing adjustable illumination and targeted laser application.
Implementation Method 1
A length of illumination optic fiber extends through the handle and the tip. The length of illumination optic fiber has opposite proximal and distal ends and the fiber distal end is positioned adjacent the tip distal end.
Implementation Method 2
A length of laser optic fiber also extends through the handle and the tip. The length of laser optic fiber has opposite proximal and distal ends and the laser optic fiber distal end is positioned adjacent the tip distal end and the illumination optic fiber distal end.
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated laser probe primarily designed for ophthalmic surgery provides both illumination light to a surgical site and laser light to the surgical site. The probe has an elongate handle with a tubular tip extending from a distal end of the handle. A length of illumination optic fiber and a length of laser optic fiber extend through the handle and the tip. A mechanism is provided on the handle at a position where the mechanism can easily be manipulated by a finger of a surgeons hand holding the handle. The mechanism is operatively connected with the laser optic fiber and is manipulated to selectively extend a distal portion of the optic fiber from the instrument tip and retract the distal portion of the optic fiber back into the instrument tip.