Steerable Laser Probe With Variable Stiffness Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ophthalmic surgeons face challenges in accurately aiming and controlling laser beams 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 is designed with a handle, housing tube, and optic fiber, where the housing tube's stiffness varies along its length to allow for gradual curving and straightening, enabling precise control of the laser beam's direction through actuation of an actuation lever, allowing the optic fiber to be correspondingly curved or straightened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the housing tube is made rigid to maintain stability, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to curve and steer the laser beam deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing tube is divided into multiple segments with different stiffness characteristics. The proximal portion has higher stiffness for stability, while the distal portion has lower stiffness for curving capability. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specialized function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the housing tube are given different local qualities in terms of stiffness. The proximal portion is designed with higher stiffness to provide structural stability, while the distal portion is designed with lower stiffness to enable curving and steering operations.
2Ease of operation
If the housing tube is made flexible to allow curving, then the steering capability is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing tube is segmented into proximal and distal portions with differentiated stiffness properties, allowing the distal portion to be flexible for steering while the proximal portion remains rigid for stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing tube exhibits local quality variations where the distal portion has lower stiffness for flexibility and curving capability, while the proximal portion has higher stiffness for structural support and stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the laser probe is made longer to reach multiple targets, then the versatility is improved, but the difficulty of control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing tube is designed with dynamic curving capability through its varying stiffness profile. This allows the laser probe to dynamically adjust its tip position and orientation to reach multiple targets within the eye without requiring excessive length, thereby maintaining controllability.
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable laser probe may include a handle, and inner bore of the handle, an actuation lever of the handle, a housing tube, and an optic fiber disposed within the inner bore of the handle and the housing tube. The housing tube may have a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness. The second stiffness may be greater than the first stiffness.