Self-Supporting Light Guide for Glaucoma Applicator Head

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eye treatment devices for glaucoma therapy face challenges in providing stable and non-tilting positioning on the ocular surface, with known designs either tilting easily or being unsuitable for different eye sizes, and the optical fiber is not adequately supported or cooled.

Innovation Solution

An eye treatment device featuring an applicator head with a self-supporting light guide and a contact ring that allows stable positioning on the ocular surface, where the light guide is exposed within a cavity and cooled by treatment fluid, and the contact ring is designed to prevent tilting and damage with a rounded profile for optimal contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the optical fiber is held through a centrally located hole in the solid body of the applicator head, then the optical fiber is protected from damage, but the applicator head tilts easily during surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical fiber protectionVSAvoidapplicator head stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber is extracted from the central bore configuration and repositioned to extend self-supporting within the cavity, eliminating the need for lateral support by the applicator head body. This extraction resolves the contradiction by removing the structural constraint that caused tilting while maintaining fiber protection through the cavity geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of holding the optical fiber laterally through the applicator head body (conventional approach), the invention inverts the support mechanism by allowing the fiber to self-support within the cavity space. This inversion changes the stability characteristic while maintaining fiber protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the contact surface is convex, then the applicator head can glide over the eye surface, but it tilts easily on its own

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegliding capabilityVSAvoidapplicator head stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface is designed with a rounded, convex profile that maintains gliding capability while the overall applicator head geometry (including cavity and contact ring) provides stability. The curvature is optimized to balance ease of movement with positional stability during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the contact surface is concave, then the applicator head provides stable contact with the cornea, but it is not suitable for different eye sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different eye sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator head design with the cavity and contact ring configuration creates a universal interface that can adapt to different eye sizes and curvatures. The rounded contact surface profile allows stable contact across various ocular geometries, making the device versatile for different patients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If the optical fiber exits through the contact surface, then direct contact with the cornea is achieved, but the optical fiber is vulnerable to breaking off or damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect corneal contactVSAvoidoptical fiber durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber is extracted from the vulnerable position where it would be laterally supported by the applicator head and repositioned to extend self-supporting within the cavity. This extraction allows the fiber to maintain direct contact capability while gaining protection through the cavity geometry that prevents lateral forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cavity structure provides beforehand cushioning and protection for the optical fiber before it exits to contact the cornea. The cavity geometry absorbs and distributes forces that would otherwise directly impact the fiber, preventing breaking or damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 device achieves stable, tilt-resistant positioning and effective cooling of the light guide, reducing the risk of damage and improving treatment efficacy by maintaining consistent contact with the ocular surface.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light guide with an exit end (30) for laser light (L)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight guide/Optical fiber: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

cooled by treatment fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction cooling: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12251337B2Eye treatment device, in particular for glaucoma

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 ARC LASER GMBH

AI summary

An eye treatment device, in particular for use in glaucoma therapy, comprising a least one applicator head for applying laser light (L) into the eye, said applicator head comprising at least one light guide having an exit end for the laser light (L) and a cavity having an opening enclosed by a contact ring for placement on the eye, said light guide extending self-supporting and/or exposed within the cavity.