Remote Retinal Laser Imaging Without Contact Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser coagulation systems for treating eye disorders require contact lenses, which cause corneal abrasion and are limited by field of view, and indirect ophthalmoscopy leads to physician fatigue and lack of documentation, making them unsuitable for remote applications.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact telemedicine system with dynamic imaging and facial recognition capabilities, allowing remote laser coagulation and photodynamic therapy through a first laser-imaging system at a local location and a central control system at a remote site, using wide-angle digital imaging, photoacoustic systems, and eye tracking for precise treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If contact lenses are used in conventional laser coagulation systems, then the field of view is limited, but corneal abrasion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the contact lens from the system entirely, replacing it with a non-contact imaging and laser delivery system. The contact lens is extracted from the optical path, eliminating corneal abrasion while maintaining the ability to image and treat the retina through alternative non-contact methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical contact lens system is replaced with an optical imaging system combined with laser delivery. Instead of using a contact lens to focus light mechanically, the system uses optical imaging to locate targets and then delivers laser energy through the same optical path without physical contact.
2Ease of operation
If indirect ophthalmoscopy is used for laser treatment, then no contact lens is needed, but physician fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates digital copies (images) of the retinal structures being treated. These digital records serve as reliable documentation of the treatment process and outcomes, eliminating the need for manual notes and providing permanent, accurate records that reduce physician cognitive load.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback through digital imaging during the laser treatment process. The physician can see the laser spot and retinal structures on a display screen, receiving immediate feedback about treatment progress and accuracy, which reduces fatigue by eliminating the need to mentally track treatment parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional laser systems are used, then treatment can be performed, but remote application is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: imaging subsystem, laser delivery subsystem, and control subsystem. The imaging and laser delivery components are segmented and can be independently optimized, with the imaging system providing guidance for precise laser placement. This modular approach enables remote operation while managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary imaging system that acts as a mediator between the remote control and the local treatment. The imaging system captures retinal images and transmits them to the control system, which then guides laser delivery based on the visual information, enabling remote operation without requiring the physician to be physically present at the treatment site.
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 remote, precise, and safe laser treatment of eye structures without contact lenses, providing accurate patient verification and documentation, reducing physician fatigue, and allowing for remote treatment of eye disorders like diabetic retinopathy and neovascularization.
Implementation Method 1
A laser generation system for transmitting an aiming laser beam and at least a first coagulation laser beam to the eye structure
Implementation Method 2
laser coagulation of predetermined biological structures of the eye, such as the retina
Implementation Method 3
the photoacoustic system being configured to measure temperature of eye structure tissue subjected to the first laser energy
Implementation Method 4
an imaging device configured to capture images of a patient over a predetermined duration of time so that a displacement of the patient is capable of being tracked
Implementation Method 5
a facial recognition system including an imaging device configured to capture one or more images of a face of the patient, the first computing device being programmed to compare one or more first reference digital images of the face of the patient captured by the imaging device of facial recognition system at a first time to one or more second digital images of the face of the patient captured by the imaging device of the facial recognition system at a second subsequent time
Data Source
AI summary
A telemedicine system with dynamic imaging is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the telemedicine system comprises a 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 a 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. Also, in some embodiments, communication between the laser imaging and treatment apparatus and control system is achieved via the Internet®. Further, in some embodiments, the telemedicine system includes a dynamic imaging system and/or a facial recognition system that verifies the identity of a patient, and is capable of being used for other important applications, such as tracking and analyzing trends in a disease process.