Retinal Laser Patterned Treatment Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current retinal photocoagulation treatments are lengthy and complex due to the need for point-by-point laser delivery, leading to physician fatigue and patient discomfort, and existing methods for reducing treatment time are either overly complex or lack flexibility in beam configuration.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for patterned laser treatment of the retina, where a visible alignment pattern is projected onto the retina, allowing for automatic delivery of laser doses to multiple locations coincident with the alignment spots, eliminating the need for retinal image tracking and reducing treatment time by delivering doses in less than one second.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If point-by-point laser delivery is used, then treatment precision is maintained, but treatment time becomes excessively long and physician fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment process is segmented into two distinct phases: (1) projection of a visible alignment pattern showing all treatment locations, and (2) automatic laser delivery to multiple locations. This segmentation allows the physician to plan the entire treatment pattern visually without manually positioning each laser spot, dramatically reducing treatment time while maintaining precision through the pre-planned pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment pattern is projected onto the retina before laser treatment begins, allowing the physician to review and confirm all treatment locations in advance. This preliminary visualization of the complete treatment pattern enables automatic multi-location delivery without real-time manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between precision and time efficiency.
2Loss of time
If retinal image tracking systems are used, then treatment time is reduced through automation, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex retinal image tracking subsystem from the treatment system. Instead of using tracking systems to monitor and adjust treatment locations in real-time, the alignment pattern is simply projected onto the retina, providing visual guidance without requiring complex data processing or real-time tracking infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment pattern serves as a temporary, disposable visual guide that is projected onto the retina only during the planning phase. This simple optical projection replaces expensive, complex tracking systems, providing the necessary guidance function without the associated complexity and cost.
3Loss of time
If optical beam multipliers are used, then treatment time is reduced through parallel beam delivery, but flexibility in beam configuration is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment pattern projection system provides dynamic flexibility, allowing the physician to easily modify treatment locations, spacing, and pattern configuration by adjusting the projection parameters. This contrasts with fixed optical beam multipliers, enabling adaptable treatment planning while still achieving rapid automatic delivery to multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment pattern projection serves multiple functions: it visualizes all treatment locations simultaneously, allows for pattern adjustment and optimization, and guides automatic laser delivery. This single versatile approach replaces the need for multiple fixed-configuration beam multipliers, providing both time efficiency and flexibility.
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
This approach significantly reduces treatment time, enhances treatment efficiency, and decreases patient discomfort by allowing for flexible and precise multi-location retina treatment without the complexity of retinal image tracking, as demonstrated by a reduction in treatment time by a factor of 2.5 to 7.8 and improved treatment uniformity in clinical trials.
Implementation Method 1
A visible alignment pattern having at least two separated spots is projected onto the retina
Implementation Method 2
doses of laser energy are automatically provided to at least two treatment locations coincident with the alignment spots
Implementation Method 3
a scanner is used to sequentially move an alignment beam from spot to spot on the retina and to move a treatment laser beam from location to location on the retina
Data Source
AI summary
Patterned laser treatment of the retina is provided. A visible alignment pattern having at least two separated spots is projected onto the retina. By triggering a laser subsystem, doses of laser energy are automatically provided to at least two treatment locations coincident with the alignment spots. All of the doses of laser energy may be delivered in less than about 1 second, which is a typical eye fixation time. A scanner can be used to sequentially move an alignment beam from spot to spot on the retina and to move a treatment laser beam from location to location on the retina.