Steerable Laser Probe with Segmented Stiffness Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ophthalmic surgeons face challenges in accurately aiming and controlling laser beams during procedures like photocoagulation, requiring a surgical laser probe that can be easily steered to multiple targets within the eye.
Innovation Solution
A steerable laser probe is designed with an actuation structure, links, link pins, and a housing tube with varying stiffness sections, allowing the optic fiber to be gradually curved or straightened for precise targeting by compressing or decompressing the actuation structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the laser probe uses a rigid housing tube to maintain structural stability, then the probe can maintain its shape, but it cannot be steered to multiple targets within the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The housing tube is divided into multiple segments with varying stiffness characteristics. The proximal portion has higher stiffness for structural stability, while the distal portion has lower stiffness for steerability. This segmentation allows different parts of the same structure to serve different functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the housing tube are assigned different stiffness properties. The proximal end maintains rigidity for stability during laser delivery, while the distal end incorporates flexibility for steering and positioning at various targets within the eye.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the probe length within the eye is increased to reach deeper targets, then more targets can be accessed, but the control precision and maneuverability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The housing tube transitions from a rigid structure at the proximal end to a flexible structure at the distal end, enabling dynamic steering and positioning. This dynamic characteristic allows the probe to reach deeper targets while maintaining control precision through the flexible distal portion that can be maneuvered to access different anatomical structures.
3Ease of operation
If the housing tube is made entirely flexible to enable steering, then the probe can be directed to multiple targets, but it cannot maintain sufficient structural integrity for laser delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The housing tube is segmented into proximal and distal portions with different mechanical properties. The proximal portion maintains structural integrity for laser delivery, while the distal portion provides steering capability through flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing tube exhibits non-uniform stiffness distribution along its length. The proximal end has high stiffness for structural integrity, while the distal end has low stiffness for steering, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously in different locations.
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
Enables precise and controlled movement of the laser beam within the eye, allowing surgeons to aim at multiple targets without increasing the probe's length within the eye, thereby enhancing the success of ophthalmic procedures like photocoagulation.
Implementation Method 1
an optic fiber (310) disposed in the housing tube (300) and the actuation structure (110)
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable laser probe may include an actuation structure, a nosecone fixed to the actuation structure by one or more links and one or more link pins, a housing tube having a first housing tube portion with a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion with a second stiffness, and an optic fiber disposed in the housing tube and the actuation structure. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the housing tube and the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the housing tube and the optic fiber.