Steerable Laser Probe for Ophthalmic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical laser probes lack the ability to be easily steered to multiple targets within the eye, making it difficult for ophthalmic surgeons to accurately aim and control laser energy during procedures like photocoagulation for conditions such as proliferative retinopathy.
Innovation Solution
A steerable laser probe design featuring a handle with actuation controls that allow the housing tube and optic fiber to be gradually curved or straightened, enabling precise targeting of multiple locations within the eye by manipulating the actuation controls to adjust the probe's orientation and curvature.
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 the laser to multiple targets within the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The laser probe incorporates a flexible housing tube that can dynamically change its curvature state. The tube can be gradually curved or straightened by actuation controls, allowing the probe to adapt its shape to reach multiple targets within the eye while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing tube is designed as a flexible structure that can bend and curve. This flexible shell allows the probe to navigate to different positions within the eye by changing its curvature, providing steering capability without requiring complex mechanical joints or segments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the housing tube is made flexible to enable steering, then the surgeon can guide the laser to multiple targets, but the optic fiber alignment and laser energy transmission may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The optic fiber is nested within the flexible housing tube. This nested configuration allows the fiber to be protected and guided by the flexible tube structure, ensuring that laser energy transmission remains reliable even as the tube curves and bends to reach different targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the curvature parameter of the housing tube to enable steering. By controlling the degree and direction of curvature, the probe can adapt its orientation to target multiple locations while the optic fiber maintains proper alignment for reliable laser energy transmission throughout the range of motion.
3Measurement precision
If actuation controls are added to curve the housing tube, then the laser can be precisely positioned, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible housing tube responds to actuation controls by gradually curving or straightening. This continuous, gradual movement provides precise positioning capability while keeping the actuation mechanism relatively simple, as the flexible tube naturally transitions through intermediate positions rather than requiring discrete mechanical steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, a plurality of actuation controls of the handle, a housing tube having a housing tube distal end and a housing tube proximal end, and an optic fiber disposed within an inner bore of the handle and the housing tube. An actuation of an actuation control of the plurality of actuation controls may gradually curve the housing tube. A gradual curving of the housing tube may gradually curve the optic fiber. An actuation of an actuation control of the plurality of actuation controls may gradually straighten the housing tube. A gradual straightening of the housing tube may gradually straighten the optic fiber.