Steerable Laser Probe Actuation for Ophthalmic Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical laser probes lack the ability to be easily steered to multiple targets within the eye during ophthalmic procedures, making precise and efficient laser photocoagulation challenging for surgeons.
Innovation Solution
A steerable laser probe design featuring a handle with an actuation structure that compresses or decompresses to curve or straighten a flexible housing tube and optic fiber, allowing for precise control and targeting within the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid laser probe is used, then structural stability is maintained, but the ability to steer to multiple targets within the eye is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The laser probe incorporates a flexible housing tube that can dynamically change its curvature state. The actuation structure enables the tube to transition between straight and curved configurations, allowing the probe to adapt its shape for steering to multiple targets while maintaining structural integrity through controlled deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing tube is designed as a flexible structure that can bend and curve without compromising the protection of internal components. This flexible shell allows the probe to navigate to multiple targets within the eye while the actuation structure provides controlled deformation to achieve precise positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the optic fiber is made flexible to enable steering, then steering capability is improved, but control precision and beam stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation structure serves as an intermediary mechanism between the surgeon's control inputs and the flexible optic fiber. It provides controlled deformation of the housing tube, which in turn controls the optic fiber's curvature in a predictable and precise manner, maintaining beam aiming accuracy while enabling steering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the curvature radius and angle of the flexible housing tube and optic fiber through the actuation structure. By precisely adjusting these geometric parameters, the probe achieves accurate positioning and beam direction control while maintaining the flexibility needed for steering to multiple targets.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a simple straight probe design is used, then device complexity is minimized, but the ability to guide laser to multiple targets is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into distinct functional segments: a handle housing the actuation structure, a flexible housing tube section that can curve, and an optic fiber section. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while working together to achieve multi-target steering capability without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible housing tube serves multiple functions: it protects the optic fiber, provides the steering mechanism through controlled curvature, and transmits the laser beam. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, an actuation structure of the handle, a flexible housing tube having a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end, and an optic fiber disposed within an inner bore of the handle and the flexible housing tube. A compression of the actuation structure may cause the optic fiber to gradually curve. A decompression of the actuation structure may cause the optic fiber to gradually straighten.