Optical Filter for Macular Degeneration Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser therapies for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are ineffective due to large treatment areas damaging healthy retinal cells, preventing healthy cells from migrating to damaged areas and improving nutrient flow through Bruch's membrane.
Innovation Solution
An optical filter that selectively distributes light beam power to target specific cells in the retina, using a grid or distributive element to create smaller beam diameters (30-50 microns) and reduce damage to healthy tissues, allowing healthy cells to migrate and improve nutrient flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If existing laser therapy is used to treat AMD, then therapeutic energy can be delivered to the retina, but the large beam size (400-5000 microns) causes excessive damage to healthy retinal cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large laser beam into multiple smaller beams using optical elements such as beam splitters, diffraction gratings, or microlens arrays. This segmentation allows the therapeutic energy to be distributed across multiple focal points on the retina, each with a diameter of 30-50 microns, thereby treating the diseased area while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables selective delivery of therapeutic energy to specific localized regions of the retina affected by AMD. By focusing multiple small beams precisely on the damaged areas (such as drusen deposits) while maintaining healthy tissue between treatment zones, the system achieves local quality improvement without widespread damage.
2Area of stationary object
If large area laser treatment is applied, then therapeutic coverage is achieved, but healthy RPE cells cannot migrate into damaged areas due to extensive tissue destruction
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the treatment into multiple discrete focal points rather than a continuous large-area burn, the patent creates isolated zones of damage surrounded by healthy tissue. This segmentation preserves the integrity of the retinal pigment epithelium in non-treated areas, enabling healthy RPE cells to migrate into and repopulate the damaged regions, thereby restoring nutrient flow through Bruch's membrane.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies therapeutic energy partially to only the necessary diseased areas rather than treating the entire retinal surface. This partial action approach treats sufficient areas to achieve therapeutic effect while leaving adequate healthy tissue intact to support natural healing processes including cell migration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If laser speckle technique is used to mitigate beam damage, then some damage reduction is achieved, but the treatment becomes inconsistent and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than relying on the inconsistent speckle pattern produced by random beam scattering, the patent uses controlled optical segmentation through precisely engineered beam-dividing elements. This deterministic segmentation produces consistent, reproducible beam patterns with predictable focal points, ensuring reliable and consistent treatment outcomes while still achieving damage mitigation through reduced individual beam intensity.
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 optical filter minimizes damage to healthy cells, enabling effective migration and treatment of AMD by targeting specific cells with reduced injury size, promoting nutrient flow and improving treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
an optical filter that may distribute power from a light beam incident on the optical filter to a retina of the eye
Implementation Method 2
The optical filter may be configured to separate and distribute power from a coherent light beam into a plurality of coherent light beams
Implementation Method 3
The focusing lens may focus a plurality of light beams over a predetermined area of a retina of an eye
Implementation Method 4
The focusing lens may be configured to generate a real image of the retina
Implementation Method 5
The non-transmissive material may distribute power from a light beam into a plurality of light beams
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is disclosed for treating macular degeneration including an optical filter configured to be mated with the ophthalmic lens, the filter having a surface wherein at least a portion of the surface comprises non-transmissive material that may distribute power from a light beam creating a plurality of light beams. A method of treating macular degeneration using the optical filter is also disclosed.