Handheld Ophthalmic Laser Tips and Guide for Ciliary Body 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 adverse side effects and compliance issues with expensive medications, and risks associated with destructive surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A handheld ophthalmic laser treatment device with a replaceable distal tip and a treatment guide that aligns the device with target tissues, allowing for precise delivery of therapeutic light to the ciliary process, either through a non-normal angle or using angled and curved contact tips, and potentially incorporating multiple treatment spots or sweeping motions, powered by a battery for portability and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional laser systems are used for glaucoma treatment, then therapeutic light can be delivered to target tissue, but the systems are complex, expensive, and require AC power sources that reduce portability
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system is divided into separate modular components: a handheld treatment device with replaceable distal tips, a separate treatment guide, and a battery power source. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables portable operation without complex integrated systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable or replaceable distal tips that can be attached to the handheld device. These single-use tips eliminate the need for complex sterilization and maintenance systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining portability and effectiveness
2Reliability
If destructive surgical procedures like cyclocryotherapy are used to lower aqueous humor production, then IOP can be reduced, but severe complications including phthisis bulbi and inflammation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment delivers laser energy in controlled pulses or intermittent bursts rather than continuous exposure. This periodic delivery allows tissue to recover between pulses, reducing thermal damage and inflammation while maintaining effective treatment of the ciliary body
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment targets only the specific subsurface region of the ciliary body needed for aqueous humor production reduction, rather than destroying entire structures. This partial action achieves IOP control while preserving surrounding healthy tissue and avoiding severe complications
3Ease of operation
If laser energy is delivered through air to the eye, then treatment can be performed, but accurate targeting of subsurface non-visible structures like the ciliary body is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
A treatment guide with contact surface is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the eye. The guide provides tactile feedback and physical alignment cues that enable accurate positioning over subsurface targets without requiring direct visualization of the ciliary body
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment guide features a curved contact surface that conforms to the spherical shape of the eye. This curvature ensures proper alignment and contact with the ocular surface, facilitating accurate delivery of laser energy to the subsurface ciliary body region
4Reliability
If expensive medications are used to reduce aqueous humor production or increase outflow, then IOP can be controlled, but compliance-dependent problems and side effects occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The laser treatment provides a one-time or infrequent procedural intervention that creates long-lasting effects on aqueous humor dynamics. This self-sustaining treatment reduces or eliminates the need for ongoing daily medication, improving patient compliance while maintaining reliable IOP control
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 solution enables more precise and effective treatment of glaucoma by reducing side effects, improving targeting accuracy, and providing a portable, cost-effective alternative to traditional laser systems, potentially enhancing patient compliance and treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
A handheld ophthalmic laser treatment device with a replaceable distal tip and a treatment guide that aligns the device with target tissues, allowing for precise delivery of therapeutic light to the ciliary process
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.