Steerable Laser Probe With Variable Stiffness 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 design featuring a handle, actuation mechanism, and housing tube with varying stiffness portions, allowing the optic fiber to be curved and straightened for precise targeting, utilizing a mechanism where the actuation of the handle compresses or decompresses the housing tube to adjust the fiber's path 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 target multiple locations is lost
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 each portion to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the housing tube are assigned different stiffness properties. The proximal end maintains rigidity for stable laser delivery, while the distal end incorporates flexibility for steering and positioning at multiple targets within the eye.
2Ease of operation
If the housing tube is made flexible for steering, then steerability is improved, but structural stability and laser delivery precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The housing tube is segmented into distinct stiffness zones. The proximal segment maintains rigidity for precise laser delivery, while the distal segment provides flexibility for steering. This ensures both precision and steerability are achieved in their respective functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing tube exhibits non-uniform stiffness distribution along its length. The proximal portion is rigid to maintain laser delivery precision, while the distal portion is flexible to enable steering, allowing each region to optimize for its specific function.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-stiffness housing tube is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to both steer and maintain precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing tube is constructed as a multi-stiffness structure with distinct proximal and distal portions. This segmentation enables the tube to provide both steering capability and precision laser delivery, overcoming the limitations of single-stiffness designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Different stiffness characteristics are implemented in different regions of the housing tube. The proximal end maintains rigidity for precision delivery, while the distal end provides flexibility for steering, achieving versatility without excessive manufacturing complexity.
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 efficient aiming and movement of the laser beam to multiple targets within the eye, enhancing the success of ophthalmic procedures like photocoagulation by allowing for flexible and controlled delivery of laser energy.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation of the actuation mechanism may be configured to gradually compress a first housing tube portion of the housing tube
Implementation Method 2
a compression of the first housing tube portion may be configured to gradually curve the housing tube
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation mechanism of the handle, an optic fiber, and a housing tube. The housing tube may include 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. The optic fiber may be disposed within the housing tube and within an inner bore of the handle. A portion of the optic fiber may be fixed to an inner portion of the housing tube.