Steerable Laser Probe Flexible Housing Tube Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ophthalmic surgeons face challenges in accurately aiming and controlling a laser beam during procedures like laser photocoagulation, requiring a surgical instrument that can be easily guided and steered within the eye to multiple targets.
Innovation Solution
A steerable laser probe with a flexible housing tube and optic fiber, where the actuation control allows for gradual curving and straightening of the tube and fiber, enabling precise targeting within the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid laser probe is used, then structural stability is maintained, but the ability to steer and guide the laser to multiple targets within the eye is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible housing tube that can be gradually curved through actuation control, allowing the laser probe to navigate to multiple targets within the eye while maintaining structural integrity. The flexible tube enables steering and positioning without compromising the overall structural stability of the probe assembly.
2Ease of operation
If the laser probe structure is made more complex to enable steering, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic steering mechanism where the flexible housing tube can be gradually curved and repositioned through actuation control. This dynamic capability allows the laser probe to adapt its configuration during surgery to reach multiple targets, improving ease of operation without requiring an overly complex multi-component steering mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, an actuation control of the handle, a flexible housing tube having a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end, an optic fiber disposed within an inner portion of the handle and the flexible housing tube, and a cable disposed within the flexible housing tube and the actuation control. A rotation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually curve the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber. A rotation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually straighten the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber.