Integrated Ocular Probe for Laser Ablation and Viscoelastic Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current glaucoma surgery methods involve multiple microsurgical instruments, such as mechanical trabeculotomy/goniotomy probes and viscoelastic injection devices, leading to procedural complexity and inconsistent results, with potential tissue damage and surgeon dependence.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument combining laser ablation, illumination, and viscoelastic injection functions in a single probe, utilizing a single or multiple optical fibers to project laser and illumination light for tissue disruption and enhanced visualization, with simultaneous viscoelastic injection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple microsurgical instruments are used for laser ablation, illumination, and viscoelastic injection, then each function can be performed with a specialized tool, but the procedural complexity increases and surgeon dependence rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedural consistencyVSAvoidinstrument complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines laser ablation, illumination, and viscoelastic injection functions into a single integrated probe. The probe includes a laser fiber for ablation, an illumination fiber for visualization, and a viscoelastic injection port, all integrated into one device that can be inserted through a single incision, thereby reducing procedural complexity and improving consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single probe serves multiple functions simultaneously: it performs laser ablation of the trabecular meshwork, provides illumination for visualization of the surgical site, and enables viscoelastic injection to maintain anterior chamber integrity. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized instruments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If mechanical cutting blades are used for trabeculotomy/goniotomy, then tissue disruption can be achieved, but unwanted damage to surrounding tissues may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue disruption effectivenessVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cutting blades with a laser ablation system. The laser fiber delivers focused energy to precisely ablate the trabecular meshwork tissue through photothermal effects, eliminating the need for mechanical contact and cutting blades that could cause unwanted damage to surrounding tissues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser energy is focused locally at the distal tip of the probe to ablate only the target trabecular meshwork tissue. The illumination fiber provides localized lighting only at the surgical site, and the viscoelastic is injected locally to maintain anterior chamber integrity, minimizing effects on surrounding tissues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If separate incisions are made for each microsurgical instrument, then each instrument can be inserted independently, but the number of incisions and procedural steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument insertion independenceVSAvoidprocedural time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple instrument functions into a single probe that can be inserted through one incision. The probe integrates the laser fiber, illumination fiber, and viscoelastic injection port, allowing all functions to be accessed through a single corneal incision rather than requiring separate incisions for each instrument

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Simplifies glaucoma surgery by reducing instrument complexity, improving procedural consistency, and minimizing tissue damage while maintaining intraocular space integrity.

Implementation Method 1

one or more optical fibers transmitting a laser light for irradiating an area proximate to the window for ablation of an ocular tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

the one or more optical fibers further transmitting an illumination light for illumination of the intraocular space of a patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS12564516B2Probe for laser ablation, illumination, and viscoelastic injection

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 ALCON INC

AI summary

Microsurgical instruments having combined illumination, laser ablation, and viscoelastic injection functions. A surgical instrument includes a probe having a main lumen and a port at a distal end thereof. The probe may further include one or more optical fibers within the main lumen, the optical fibers configured to project laser light and illumination light. Laser light may be emitted from the distal end of the probe for disrupting an ocular tissue, while illumination light may be simultaneously emitted, axially or laterally, to provide enhanced visualization of the intraocular space during tissue disruptance. Upon disrupting the tissue, a viscoelastic fluid may be injected from the port to maintain an integrity of the intraocular space.