Optical Scanning System for Trabecular Meshwork Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glaucoma treatments, such as laser therapies like ALT and SLT, are tedious and time-consuming due to the manual application of individual laser spots on the trabecular meshwork, which limits their efficiency and patient comfort.
Innovation Solution
An optical scanning system that projects a pattern of light onto the trabecular meshwork, using a light source, scanning device, and ophthalmic lens assembly with a reflective optical element to deliver therapeutic light quickly and efficiently, allowing for treatment of multiple locations simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual laser spot application is used for trabecular meshwork treatment, then treatment precision can be achieved, but treatment time becomes excessively long and procedure becomes tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical application of individual laser spots with an automated optical scanning system that uses galvanometer mirrors to rapidly deflect a single laser beam across multiple predetermined locations on the trabecular meshwork, treating approximately 100 spots simultaneously in about one minute
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic scanning mirrors that can rapidly change the position and orientation of the laser beam in real-time, allowing the system to deliver treatment to multiple locations across the trabecular meshwork in a coordinated, time-varying sequence rather than static sequential application
2Manufacturing precision
If individual laser spots are applied sequentially to the trabecular meshwork, then precise control of each spot is achieved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to prolonged treatment duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual sequential spot application with automated optical scanning that rapidly delivers predetermined laser patterns, reducing treatment time from potentially hours to approximately one minute while maintaining precise control over each spot's location and parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates and stores the optimal laser spot pattern and sequence before treatment begins, allowing the scanning system to execute the predetermined treatment protocol automatically without real-time manual intervention, thereby minimizing treatment time and maximizing patient comfort
3Device complexity
If traditional laser therapies treat only limited areas of the trabecular meshwork, then treatment simplicity is maintained, but therapeutic effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends treatment from the traditional limited 180-degree arc to a comprehensive three-dimensional coverage of the entire trabecular meshwork circumference and depth, using coordinated scanning in multiple directions to treat all relevant areas uniformly
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning system is designed to treat the entire trabecular meshwork uniformly, making the treatment universally applicable to all patients regardless of the specific pattern or extent of meshwork damage, thereby improving reliability and therapeutic effectiveness
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 system significantly reduces treatment time, increases patient comfort, and enables rapid, flexible, and accurate delivery of therapeutic light to the trabecular meshwork, improving the efficiency of glaucoma treatment compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective optical element for reflecting the light beam pattern onto the target eye tissue
Implementation Method 2
a scanning device for deflecting the beam of light to produce a pattern of the light beam
Data Source
AI summary
Optical scanning system and method for performing therapy on trabecular meshwork of a patient's eye, including a light source for producing alignment and therapeutic light, a scanning device for deflecting the alignment and therapeutic light to produce an alignment therapeutic patterns of the alignment and therapeutic light, and an ophthalmic lens assembly for placement over a patient's eye that includes a reflective optical element for reflecting the light patterns onto the trabecular meshwork of the patient's eye. The reflective optical element can be a continuous annular mirror (e.g. smooth or with multiple facets) to image the entire trabecular meshwork, or a reflective optical element that moves in coordination with the deflection of the beam. Visualization of the alignment and therapeutic patterns of light on the eye can be implemented by reflection thereof off a visualization mirror that transmits a portion of light emanating from the trabecular meshwork.