Feedback-Controlled Ocular Laser Dosing for Intraocular Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glaucoma treatments, including medications, laser surgeries, and conventional surgeries, face challenges such as variable success rates, complications like elevated intraocular pressure, corneal haze, and shifts in refractive error, and none effectively manage low intraocular pressure glaucoma.
Innovation Solution
A laser system that uses spatially and temporally modulated laser light, coupled with real-time feedback control, to regulate dosimetry and adjust parameters like pulse repetition rate, duration, and intensity, allowing for precise modulation of intraocular pressure by forming and stabilizing porous structures in the sclera and trabecular meshwork.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is used to reduce intraocular pressure, then aqueous outflow is improved, but complications such as elevated IOP, corneal haze, and retinal side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a catheter with a localized treatment zone that delivers laser energy precisely to the trabecular meshwork while isolating surrounding tissues. The catheter design ensures that only the target area receives laser treatment, preventing harmful effects on adjacent structures like the cornea and retina.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (such as a gel or fluid) that mediates between the laser energy and the tissue. This intermediary protects surrounding tissues from laser damage while allowing controlled energy delivery to the trabecular meshwork, thereby reducing complications like corneal haze and retinal side effects.
2Reliability
If laser cyclocoagulation (LCC) is used to reduce aqueous humor production, then intraocular pressure decreases, but excessive IOP reduction and corneal decompensation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where real-time monitoring of intraocular pressure and tissue response guides the laser treatment process. The system adjusts laser parameters based on detected tissue characteristics and pressure changes, preventing excessive IOP reduction and avoiding corneal decompensation by stopping treatment when optimal results are achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of laser parameters during treatment, adjusting power, pulse duration, and repetition rate based on real-time tissue response. This dynamic approach allows precise control over aqueous humor production reduction while avoiding excessive treatment that could lead to corneal decompensation.
3Reliability
If conventional glaucoma surgeries are performed to improve aqueous outflow, then IOP is reduced, but risks of cataract, hypotony, bleb failure, and infection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surgical procedures with a minimally invasive laser-based system delivered through a catheter. This substitution eliminates the need for large incisions, sutures, and external blebs, thereby avoiding complications such as cataract formation, hypotony, bleb failure, and infection associated with conventional surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes laser energy delivery that produces localized thermal effects without mechanical disruption. The laser-induced changes in tissue properties (such as controlled coagulation or pore formation) achieve improved aqueous outflow without the mechanical trauma that leads to surgical complications.
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 predictable and long-term normalization of intraocular pressure, reducing complications and improving treatment efficacy for both elevated and low intraocular pressure conditions, with the ability to reversibly change aqueous humor outflow.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source; a feedback controller, configured to regulate a dosimetry of the laser source to produce spatially and/or temporally modulated laser light
Implementation Method 2
a detecting element, configured to detect one or more physical, chemical, mechanical and/or structural characteristics in a second area on the eye in a real-time during the change of the IOP
Data Source
AI summary
A laser system for changing an IOP of an eye includes a laser source; a feedback controller, configured to regulate a dosimetry of the laser source to produce spatially and/or temporally modulated laser light; a first optical delivery element, configured to guide the spatially and/or temporally modulated laser light to irradiate a first area on the eye; and a detecting element, configured to detect one or more physical, chemical, mechanical and/or structural characteristics in a second area on the eye in a real-time during the change of the IOP, wherein the feedback controller is configured to regulate the dosimetry of the laser source in a real-time based on the real-time detected information pertaining to the one or more physical, chemical, mechanical and/or structural characteristics in the second area.