Replaceable Ophthalmic Contact Tip for Precise Ciliary Laser Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glaucoma treatments, including medications and surgical interventions, face challenges in accurately and effectively reducing intraocular pressure due to limitations in delivering therapeutic light to subsurface targets like the ciliary body, often resulting in side effects and compliance issues with existing drug therapies and invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A handheld ophthalmic laser treatment device with a replaceable distal tip and treatment guide is designed to deliver therapeutic light directly to the ciliary process, featuring a non-normal angle contact surface and internal optics for precise alignment and distribution of light, allowing for targeted cyclophotocoagulation and potentially reducing side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If laser energy is delivered through air to the patient's eye, then the treatment can be performed with a seated patient, but accurately directing the laser beam to subsurface targets like the ciliary body is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
A contact tip is introduced as an intermediary medium between the laser source and the patient's eye. The contact tip is placed in direct contact with the ocular surface, serving as a mediator that precisely positions and directs laser energy to subsurface targets like the ciliary body, thereby resolving the targeting accuracy problem while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces free-space optical coupling with direct mechanical contact between the contact tip and the ocular surface. This mechanical contact provides stable positioning and precise alignment, substituting the need for complex optical alignment mechanisms while improving targeting accuracy
2Use of energy by moving object
If fiber optic handpieces are used to deliver laser energy, then the laser can be directed through contact with the eyeball, but accurately targeting subsurface structures remains difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The handpiece is segmented into a replaceable contact tip portion and a main body. The contact tip is specifically designed with optical coupling features and positioning elements that enable precise alignment with subsurface targets, separating the targeting function from the energy delivery function to improve overall precision
3Adaptability or versatility
If replaceable contact tips are implemented, then the distal end of the treatment device can be customized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact tip is designed with a universal interface that can be attached to and detached from the treatment device housing. This universal coupling mechanism allows different contact tip configurations to be used with the same device body, providing adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The contact tip is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component. This allows for customization of the distal end for different treatment scenarios without permanently increasing device complexity, as each tip is a simple, self-contained element that can be discarded after use
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
The device enables precise and effective delivery of therapeutic light to the ciliary process, potentially reducing intraocular pressure with fewer side effects and improving treatment accuracy and accessibility compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
A therapeutic light source housed within the treatment device housing may be configured to generate therapeutic light
Implementation Method 2
The replaceable contact tip may include internal optics configured to optically couple with the optics housed within the treatment device housing
Implementation Method 3
The distal end of the optical fiber may protrude from a contact surface of the replaceable contact tip
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, an ophthalmic laser system may be provided that does not include a traditional laser console. Instead, the treatment device may be configured to house the treatment light source within the device handle. Additionally, in some embodiments, the handheld treatment device may include a user interface, such as dials and buttons, for adjusting various parameters of the therapeutic light. With certain embodiments, the self-contained handheld treatment device may be operated independent of an AC power source. For example, in some embodiments, the handheld treatment device may be battery powered. Additionally, the handheld treatment device may be disposable or may utilize replaceable distal tips in certain embodiments. Certain embodiments may be particularly designed for transscleral cyclophotocoagulation. Also, treatment guides are provided that may be configured to couple with a treatment device to align the device with a target tissue of the eye.