Steerable Laser Probe with Auto-Fixing Flexible Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical laser probes lack the ability to be easily steered and controlled within the eye to effectively target multiple locations during ophthalmic procedures, such as laser photocoagulation for proliferative retinopathy, making precise and efficient treatment challenging.
Innovation Solution
A steerable laser probe with a flexible housing tube and optic fiber, actuated by an auto-fixing mechanism that allows for gradual curving and straightening, enabling precise control and targeting of laser energy within the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional rigid laser probe is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the surgeon cannot easily steer and control the laser to multiple targets within the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the housing tube flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to change shape and curve as needed. The housing tube can be gradually curved by actuating the actuation control, enabling the laser probe to steer and target multiple locations within the eye. This dynamic flexibility directly improves ease of operation while accepting increased device complexity through the addition of the flexible tube and actuation mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible housing tube is introduced to enable steering, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing the optic fiber inside the flexible housing tube, which itself is contained within the handle assembly. The actuation control is also integrated within the handle structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional components to coexist in a compact configuration, managing device complexity through efficient spatial organization while maintaining the steering capability that improves ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the self-service principle through the auto-fixing actuation control mechanism. When the actuation control is actuated, it automatically maintains the curved position of the housing tube without requiring continuous manual input. The actuation control self-adjusts to hold the probe in the desired position, reducing the operational burden on the surgeon while managing the complexity of the actuation system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optic fiber is curved to reach multiple targets, then the versatility improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the preliminary action principle by pre-forming the housing tube with a gradual curve capability. The tube is designed and manufactured with the inherent ability to be curved in a controlled manner before use. This preliminary preparation of the housing tube's flexible structure allows the optic fiber to follow the curved path without requiring complex real-time manipulation during surgery, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, an auto-fixing actuation control, a flexible housing tube having a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end, a first flexible housing tube portion having a first stiffness, and an optic fiber disposed within an inner bore of the handle and the flexible housing tube. An actuation of the auto-fixing actuation control may gradually curve the flexible housing tube. A gradual curving of the flexible housing tube may gradually curve the optic fiber.