Crystalline Lens Plasma Patterning for Precise Cataract Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cataract surgery techniques, such as phacoemulsification, face challenges with mechanical manipulation and ultrasound use that can lead to complications like posterior lens capsule rupture and damage to intraocular structures, particularly during the step of nuclear sculpting and removal.

Innovation Solution

A method using scanned patterns of optical energy to soften and segment the lens, involving a femtosecond laser system that generates a light beam, deflects it to form treatment patterns, and mechanically breaks the lens into pieces for removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ultrasonic fragmentation and mechanical manipulation are used to remove the lens nucleus, then the lens can be broken down and removed, but the risk of damage to intraocular structures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens removal efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to intraocular structures

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical ultrasonic fragmentation with a laser-based system that uses optical energy to soften and segment the lens nucleus. The laser creates controlled micro-fractures and softens the nuclear material through photothermal effects, allowing for safer removal without the mechanical manipulation risks associated with ultrasonic tips and phacoemulsification instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser is used to pre-soften and pre-segment the lens nucleus before removal. By delivering optical energy patterns that soften the nuclear material and create fragmentation planes in advance, the procedure reduces the need for forceful mechanical manipulation during the actual removal phase, thereby minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding intraocular structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If traditional phacoemulsification techniques are used, then lens removal can be achieved, but surgical precision and safety are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens removal capabilityVSAvoidsurgical precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The laser system delivers energy in highly localized patterns to specific regions of the lens nucleus. By controlling the spatial distribution of optical energy, the system can selectively soften or fragment only the targeted nuclear material while leaving surrounding tissues unaffected, thereby enhancing surgical precision and allowing for more controlled lens removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If mechanical manipulation is used during nuclear sculpting, then the lens can be shaped and removed, but the complexity and risk of the procedure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens sculpting capabilityVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical sculpting maneuvers with a laser-based softening and segmentation approach. The laser creates controlled micro-fractures and softens the nuclear material through optical energy delivery, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sculpting techniques and reducing overall procedural complexity while maintaining lens removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances surgical precision and safety by allowing controlled segmentation and softening of the lens, reducing the risk of complications and facilitating easier removal of lens pieces.

Implementation Method 1

scanned patterns of optical energy, generated by an ultrafast laser system, to soften and segment the lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

Patterned plasma-mediated modification of the crystalline lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma-mediated modification: Plasma

Data Source

PatentUS12629246B2Method for patterned plasma-mediated modification of the crystalline lens

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 AMO DEVELOPMENT LLC

AI summary

A method of treating a lens of a patient's eye includes generating a light beam, deflecting the light beam using a scanner to form a treatment pattern of the light beam, delivering the treatment pattern to the lens of a patient's eye to create a plurality of cuts in the lens in the form of the treatment pattern to break the lens up into a plurality of pieces, and removing the lens pieces from the patient's eye. The lens pieces can then be mechanically removed. The light beam can be used to create larger segmenting cuts into the lens, as well as smaller softening cuts that soften the lens for easier removal.