Retinal Laser Treatment Using Geometric Boundary Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser photocoagulation techniques lack optimal solutions for treating eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy while avoiding damage to sensitive tissues such as the fovea and macula.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using multiple beams to define a treatment boundary on the retina, allowing precise delivery of therapeutic laser treatment within specific areas while avoiding sensitive regions, utilizing geometric patterns and short duration pulses to induce photocoagulation or photoactivation without damaging sensitive tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional laser photocoagulation techniques are used to treat retinal tissue, then therapeutic benefits are achieved through photocoagulation, but sensitive tissue such as the fovea and macula may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by delivering laser energy with different characteristics to different regions of the retina. The treatment beam is selectively directed to treat retinal tissue while avoiding sensitive areas like the fovea and macula. The system uses different beam parameters (wavelength, power, duration) tailored to specific treatment locations, achieving effective photocoagulation in target areas while preserving sensitive tissues through localized treatment parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the retinal treatment area into treatable regions and non-treatable sensitive regions. By dividing the treatment field and applying laser energy only to specific segments (retinal tissue requiring treatment) while excluding other segments (sensitive tissue), the system achieves effective treatment delivery while minimizing harm to vulnerable areas.
2Area of stationary object
If laser beams are directed to treat areas close to sensitive tissue, then therapeutic coverage is improved, but the risk of damaging sensitive tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by employing a visible aiming beam that defines treatment boundaries and guides the therapeutic laser beam. The aiming beam acts as a mediator to precisely delineate where treatment should and should not be applied, allowing the treatment beam to be directed close to sensitive tissue with controlled precision, thereby expanding safe treatment coverage while preventing damage through accurate boundary definition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an optical guidance system. Instead of relying on mechanical alignment and manual control, the system uses optical beams (aiming and treatment beams) to define and execute treatment boundaries, enabling more precise control over treatment area and safer proximity to sensitive tissues through optical rather than mechanical positioning.
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 effective treatment of retinal conditions like diabetic retinopathy and macular edema by minimizing damage to sensitive areas, using geometric patterns and short duration pulses to control thermal effects and prevent coagulative damage.
Implementation Method 1
projecting a first beam onto retinal tissue of the patient's eye. A boundary separating the retinal tissue to a first area and a second area may be defined on the retinal tissue via the first beam
Implementation Method 2
using one or more light beams (e.g., lasers) to cause photocoagulation to finely cauterize ocular blood vessels and/or prevent blood vessel growth
Implementation Method 3
delivered in a series of pulses of sufficiently short duration so as to avoid inducing traditional photocoagulation of the retinal tissue while inducing photoactivation of a therapeutic healing response
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~1G
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for treating the retina and/or other areas of a patient's eye. The procedures may involve using one or more treatment beams (e.g., lasers) to cause photocoagulation or laser coagulation to finely cauterize ocular blood vessels and/or prevent blood vessel growth to induce one or more therapeutic benefits. In other embodiments, a series of short duration light pulses (e.g., between 5-15 microseconds) may be delivered to the retinal tissue with a thermal relaxation time delay between the pulse to limit the temperature rise of the target retinal tissue and thereby limit a thermal effect to only the retinal pigment epithelial layer. Such procedures may be used to treat diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and/or other conditions of the eye. The treatment beam may be delivered within a treatment boundary or pattern defined on the retina of the patient's eye.