Non-Contact Trabecular Meshwork Laser Targeting for Glaucoma
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glaucoma treatments using laser irradiation often require physical contact with the eye, necessitating analgesia and expertise, and may cause thermal damage or side effects.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact system that uses a probe to irradiate the trabecular meshwork with optical beams, controlled by a processor to select and irradiate target regions around the limbus, eliminating the need for physical contact and reducing thermal effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical contact with the eye is made during laser irradiation, then the laser can be accurately delivered to the trabecular meshwork, but it necessitates analgesia and expertise, and may cause thermal damage or side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system that enables non-contact visualization and targeting of the trabecular meshwork. The OCT probe positioned adjacent to but not contacting the eye provides real-time cross-sectional images, allowing the laser to be accurately delivered without physical contact, thereby eliminating the need for analgesia and reducing thermal damage risks.
2Measurement precision
If physical contact with the eye is made during laser irradiation, then the laser can be accurately delivered to the trabecular meshwork, but it requires expertise and analgesia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the OCT imaging system automatically guides the laser delivery process. The system provides real-time cross-sectional images that enable automatic identification and targeting of the trabecular meshwork, allowing the procedure to be performed without requiring specialized ophthalmological expertise or administration of analgesia, as the system self-corrects and guides the treatment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-contact irradiation is used, then thermal damage and side effects are reduced, but the system requires complex imaging and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single unified system. The OCT probe serves dual purposes: it provides real-time cross-sectional imaging for visualization and simultaneously guides the laser delivery for treatment. This multi-functional integration reduces the need for separate imaging and treatment devices, thereby managing complexity while enabling non-contact irradiation that minimizes thermal damage and side effects.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If non-contact irradiation is used, then thermal damage and side effects are reduced, but the system requires complex imaging and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the OCT imaging system continuously provides real-time cross-sectional images of the trabecular meshwork during the laser irradiation process. This feedback enables automatic identification of target regions and real-time adjustment of laser delivery parameters, allowing the system to maintain high automation levels while reducing thermal damage and side effects through non-contact irradiation guided by live imaging feedback.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (20) includes a probe (36) and a processor (144). The probe is positioned adjacent to an eye (28) of a patient (32) and is configured to irradiate a trabecular meshwork (56) of the eye with one or more optical beams (52). The processor is configured to select one or more target regions (80) of the trabecular meshwork, and to control the probe to irradiate the selected target regions with the optical beams.