Computer-Guided Laser Trabeculoplasty Pattern Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser-based trabeculoplasty treatments for glaucoma, such as ALT and SLT, are tedious and time-consuming due to the manual alignment and delivery of individual laser pulses, making it difficult to ensure accurate and efficient treatment of the trabecular meshwork without overlap or excessive gaps.
Innovation Solution
A computer-guided optical scanning system that automatically adjusts the gonioscopic mirror to align and abut adjacent light beam patterns on the trabecular meshwork, allowing for direct physician control over the rotation and visualization of the treatment patterns to ensure continuous coverage without overlap or gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual alignment and delivery of individual laser pulses is used, then physician control over treatment is maintained, but the treatment process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment is divided into multiple discrete light beam patterns that are applied sequentially to different angular orientations of the trabecular meshwork. Each pattern covers a specific angular range, and the segmentation allows the system to systematically treat the entire circumference while maintaining physician control over the progression and customization of treatment zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates and stores multiple light beam patterns with predetermined angular orientations and spacing. Before treatment begins, the physician selects the desired number and distribution of patterns, and the system automatically positions each subsequent pattern to abut the previous one without overlap or gaps, eliminating the need for manual realignment during the procedure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual alignment of laser spots is performed, then flexibility in treatment customization is achieved, but accurate placement without overlap or gaps becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the angular position of each applied light beam pattern is tracked and recorded. This feedback information is used to automatically calculate and adjust the angular orientation of subsequent patterns, ensuring they abut precisely without overlap or gaps. The system provides real-time feedback to the physician about pattern placement accuracy while maintaining the ability to customize treatment parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical alignment process is replaced with an automated optical scanning system that uses computer-controlled angular positioning and calculation. Instead of relying on manual dexterity to place each laser spot accurately, the system uses automated angular measurements and predetermined pattern geometries to ensure precise placement, while still allowing physician input for treatment customization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual laser spots are applied sequentially, then treatment can be customized per area, but the overall treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by automatically transitioning between light beam patterns without interruption or manual realignment steps. Once the physician initiates treatment, the system continuously applies patterns in predetermined angular sequences, eliminating idle time between spots. The automated angular positioning and rapid beam delivery ensure that the useful treatment action continues uninterrupted throughout the procedure.
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 system simplifies and accelerates the treatment process by ensuring that consecutive light patterns are pieced together without overlap or excessive gaps, improving the efficiency and accuracy of laser trabeculoplasty for glaucoma therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for producing a beam of light, a scanning device for deflecting the beam of light to produce a pattern of the light beam
Implementation Method 2
an ophthalmic lens assembly having a reflective optical element for reflecting the light beam pattern onto the target tissue
Implementation Method 3
Both ALT and SLT treat the TM with light that is predominantly absorbed by the melanin residing therein
Implementation Method 4
ALT uses longer pulses (100 ms) causing diffused thermal damage to the TM itself
Implementation Method 5
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)... uses short pulses (a few nanoseconds) to substantially spatially confine the heat produced to the targeted melanin particles
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of performing therapy on target eye tissue. A light source produces a beam of light, and a scanning device deflects the light beam to produce an pattern of the light beam. An ophthalmic lens assembly includes a mirror for reflecting the light beam pattern onto the target eye tissue. The mirror is rotatable to angularly align the light beam pattern to the target tissue. Control electronics control the scanning device to apply the light beam pattern onto the reflective optical element at first and second angular orientations separated by a predetermined angle RA. The predetermined angle RA is set such that light beam patterns applied to the target tissue at the first and second angular orientations, which are also angularly aligned to the target tissue through rotation of the mirror, automatically are adjacently abutting to each other on the target tissue.