Remote Laser Eye Treatment Without Contact Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser coagulation systems for treating eye disorders require contact lenses, limiting field of view and causing discomfort, and are prone to errors due to manual steadiness and patient eye movement, making them unsuitable for remote applications.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact laser imaging and coagulation system that allows remote control of laser treatment, using a wide-angle digital image acquisition system, photoacoustic temperature measurement, and remote operation sub-modules for precise laser application and verification, eliminating the need for contact lenses and enabling remote treatment of eye structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a contact lens is used to neutralize corneal refractive power and provide variable field of view, then the surgeon can view the retina through the slit lamp microscope, but the field of view is limited (maximum 50-60 degrees) and the surgeon must move the contact lens from one side of the eye to the other side during the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the contact lens from the system entirely, replacing it with a non-contact optical setup that uses a combination of lenses and mirrors to achieve the necessary field of view without requiring a contact lens on the patient's eye. This eliminates the complexity of contact lens positioning while maintaining adequate visualization of the retina.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system consisting of multiple lenses and mirrors that act as mediators between the light source and the retina. This complex optical pathway allows the system to achieve a wider field of view without requiring a contact lens, as the intermediary elements redirect and focus the light paths appropriately.
2Ease of operation
If a contact lens is positioned on the cornea and held in position by the surgeon, then the surgeon can view the retina through the slit lamp microscope, but the contact lens can cause corneal abrasion on an anesthetized cornea
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the contact lens from the system, thereby removing the source of potential corneal abrasion. The non-contact optical setup achieves retina visualization without placing any foreign object on the corneal surface, thus preventing mechanical injury to the anesthetized cornea.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact lens system with an optical system that uses light transmission through the cornea without physical contact. This substitution eliminates the mechanical pressure and friction that cause corneal abrasion while maintaining the ability to visualize and treat the retina.
3Ease of operation
If the surgeon moves the contact lens from one side of the eye to the other side during the procedure, then the surgeon can see the peripheral retina, but the patient is also required to move his or her eye, in order to permit the surgeon to see the peripheral retina
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the contact lens and associated manual positioning requirements, allowing the peripheral retina to be visualized through a fixed non-contact optical system. This eliminates the need for the surgeon to repeatedly position and reposition the contact lens while also reducing the need for the patient to move their eye during the procedure.
4Reliability
If conventional laser coagulation systems are used, then laser energy can be transmitted to the eye structure to effect coagulation, but the systems require contact lenses and are prone to errors due to manual steadiness and patient eye movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the contact lens from the laser delivery system, replacing it with a non-contact optical pathway that uses a combination of lenses and mirrors. This extraction of the contact lens element eliminates the source of manual steadiness errors and patient eye movement errors, thereby improving treatment accuracy and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary optical elements (lenses and mirrors) that serve as mediators between the laser source and the eye structure. These intermediaries provide a stable, non-contact pathway for laser energy delivery, eliminating the errors associated with manual contact lens positioning and patient eye movement during the procedure.
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
Enables precise and efficient laser treatment of eye disorders without the need for contact lenses, reducing patient discomfort and improving treatment accuracy, allowing for remote procedures that expand access to care.
Implementation Method 1
a photoacoustic system configured to measure temperature of the eye structure subjected to the laser energy
Implementation Method 2
a laser generation system configured to transmit an aiming laser beam and at least a first coagulation laser beam to the eye structure
Implementation Method 3
laser energy is transmitted to the structure to effect coagulation thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An integral laser imaging and treatment apparatus, and associated systems and methods that allow a physician (e.g., a surgeon) to perform laser surgical procedures on an eye structure or a body surface with an integral laser imaging and treatment apparatus disposed at a first (i.e. local) location from a control system disposed at a second (i.e. remote) location, e.g., a physician's office. In some embodiments, communication between the integral laser imaging and treatment apparatus and control system is achieved via the Internet®. Also, in some embodiments, the laser imaging and treatment apparatus is further configured to provide photodynamic therapy to a patient.