Laser Pulse Sequences for Retinal Tissue Sclerosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser treatment methods for retinal pigmentary epithelium (RPE) dysfunction, such as in senile macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, face challenges in precise energy delivery and tissue protection, with existing systems often causing damage to surrounding tissue and requiring invasive post-treatment diagnostics, limiting their applicability in standard ophthalmic practices.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a laser with dosimetry control using a device for detecting thermally induced bubble formation, allowing for real-time adjustment of pulse energy and power to maintain comparability of transients, employing a pressure transducer or photo-detector, and utilizing a compact fiber interferometer for precise energy delivery and tissue monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high energy laser pulses are applied to thermally sclerose diseased RPE areas, then therapeutic effect is improved, but surrounding tissue damage occurs leading to necrosis of photoreceptors
Solution Approach 1:
The laser treatment is divided into multiple partial pulse sequences with stepwise increasing power rather than a single high-energy pulse. This segmentation allows the energy to be delivered in controlled increments, achieving therapeutic effect while limiting peak energy exposure to surrounding tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The method employs periodic laser pulsing with specific pulse durations (0.05-50 microseconds) and intervals. This periodic action with controlled timing allows thermal diffusion between pulses, preventing excessive heat accumulation in surrounding tissues while maintaining therapeutic effect in the target RPE areas.
2Measurement precision
If invasive post-treatment diagnostics are used to monitor treatment results, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms that monitor treatment effects during laser application. This feedback allows automatic or semi-automatic adjustment of subsequent pulse parameters based on observed tissue response, achieving precise monitoring without requiring complex separate diagnostic equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediary signals (such as optical or electrical signals from the tissue during treatment) to convey treatment status information. This intermediary approach enables monitoring through the existing treatment system rather than requiring separate invasive diagnostic tools.
3Productivity
If pulse energy is increased to ensure therapeutic effect, then productivity is improved, but loss of energy to surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser energy is focused to create highly localized heating precisely at the target RPE sites. The pulse parameters (duration, repetition rate, power level) are optimized to confine thermal effects to the immediate treatment zone, ensuring high productivity while minimizing energy loss to surrounding healthy tissues through controlled thermal diffusion.
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 precise and effective laser treatment with reduced risk of collateral damage, allowing for continuous monitoring and adjustment of pulse energy during treatment, ensuring therapeutic effects while minimizing harm to non-target tissues, thus enhancing the safety and efficacy of RPE therapy.
Implementation Method 1
Irradiation of targeted diseased areas of the eye fundus are admittedly thermally sclerosed... The production of temperatures lethal to the diseased cells through laser light absorption
Implementation Method 2
Irradiation of targeted diseased areas of the eye fundus are admittedly thermally sclerosed
Implementation Method 3
A first partial pulse sequence is applied... Any bubble formation at the irradiation location is to be detected during the application of the first partial pulse sequence
Implementation Method 4
utilizing a compact fiber interferometer for precise energy delivery and tissue monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a method for operation of an irradiation laser whereby laser pulse sequences or pulses of varying length are modified during application such that the comparability of recorded transients is retained.