Limbal Area Laser Irradiation for Glaucoma Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In cases of narrow or closed angle glaucoma, traditional laser trabeculoplasty methods struggle to irradiate the trabecular meshwork due to the narrowed angle between the cornea and iris, preventing effective drainage of aqueous humor and increasing intraocular pressure.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that allow for the irradiation of the trabecular meshwork through the limbal area without contact with the eye, using a 532 nm laser beam to penetrate the limbal area and enhance aqueous humor drainage, employing a beam shaping device to direct electromagnetic radiation and an aiming beam for precise targeting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional laser trabeculoplasty uses a gonioscopic contact lens to irradiate the trabecular meshwork, then the laser can reach the target, but the method cannot be used in cases of narrow or closed angle glaucoma where the angle between cornea and iris is narrowed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to narrow or closed angle glaucomaVSAvoidneed for gonioscopic contact lens

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of directing the laser beam through the narrowed angle between cornea and iris (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by directing the laser beam through the limbal area (peripheral region) to reach the trabecular meshwork. This alternative pathway bypasses the angle narrowing problem entirely, enabling treatment of narrow or closed angle glaucoma cases where traditional methods fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a beam shaping device as an intermediary optical element that transforms the laser beam into a configuration suitable for limbal area irradiation. This device includes optical components such as lenses or mirrors that shape and direct the beam through the limbal region, serving as a mediator between the laser source and the trabecular meshwork target, enabling effective treatment without direct contact with the eye.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a gonioscopic contact lens is used to deliver laser to the trabecular meshwork, then treatment can be delivered, but the procedure requires contact with the eye and longer treatment time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment timeVSAvoidneed for contact lens application

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the requirement for gonioscopic contact lens application from the treatment procedure. By utilizing limbal area irradiation with a beam shaping device, the method eliminates the need to place a contact lens on the patient's eye, simplifying the procedure, reducing preparation time, and improving ease of operation while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If selective laser trabeculoplasty targets melanin-containing cells, then aqueous humor flow is improved without damaging surrounding tissue, but the laser must precisely reach the trabecular meshwork through the angle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselectivity of laser treatmentVSAvoidapplicability to narrow angle glaucoma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention maintains the selective targeting mechanism of SLT (using 532 nm wavelength that targets melanin-containing cells) but inverts the delivery pathway. Instead of approaching the trabecular meshwork through the narrowed angle, the laser beam is directed through the limbal area, preserving the selectivity and safety of SLT while making it applicable to narrow or closed angle glaucoma cases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 effectively reduces intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma, achieving comparable results to traditional methods while avoiding the need for a gonioscopic contact lens, with treatment times less than a second and long-lasting effects.

Implementation Method 1

using a 532 nm laser beam to penetrate the limbal area and enhance aqueous humor drainage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a 532 nm laser beam is capable of penetrating the 1 mm thick limbal area and reaching the trabecular tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight penetration: Light

Implementation Method 3

employing a beam shaping device to direct electromagnetic radiation and an aiming beam for precise targeting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11564836B2System and method for treating an eye

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 TEL HASHOMER MEDICAL RES INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES LTD

AI summary

An apparatus includes a laser source and a scanner. The laser source is configured to generate electromagnetic radiation. The scanner scans at least part of a limbal area of an eye with the electromagnetic radiation generated by the laser source, thereby directing the electromagnetic radiation through an entire thickness of the limbal area of the eye without any contact with the eye and irradiating one or more regions of a trabecular meshwork of the eye with the electromagnetic radiation.