UV Laser Vitrectomy Probe Collagen Fiber Severing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vitrectomy probes face challenges in efficiently cutting and removing vitreous humor without damaging the retina, as the collagen fibers attached to the retina can cause detachment or tearing if pulled too hard, and the viscosity of the vitreous material makes aspiration difficult.
Innovation Solution
A vitrectomy probe with a disruption element featuring an ultraviolet (UV) optical fiber that projects a UV laser beam in the 190-220 nanometer range to sever collagen fibers, reducing tension on the retina and facilitating aspiration by cutting the fibers, thereby reducing the vacuum required and minimizing pulsations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mechanical cutting or ultrasonic action is used to cut vitreous fibers, then the cutting function is achieved, but high vacuum levels are required which cause retinal pulsations and potential detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical cutting system (ultrasonic vibration or mechanical blade) with a UV laser-based optical system. The UV laser beam (190-220nm) directly severs collagen fibers through photodisruption without requiring mechanical contact or high vacuum levels, thereby eliminating retinal pulsations and detachment risks associated with traditional mechanical cutting methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of cutting mechanism from mechanical/ultrasonic vibration to optical photodisruption. By using UV laser radiation in the 190-220nm range, the system achieves fiber severing through light-matter interaction rather than mechanical force, fundamentally altering the cutting process parameters to eliminate harmful vacuum levels.
2Productivity
If high vacuum levels are applied to aspirate viscous vitreous material, then aspiration efficiency is improved, but retinal pulsations and detachment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The UV laser performs preliminary cutting action on the vitreous fibers before aspiration. By severing the collagen fibers with the UV laser beam first, the material is preprocessed into smaller, more aspiratable segments, allowing subsequent removal at lower vacuum levels that do not cause retinal pulsations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical aspiration-only approach with a combined optical cutting and low-vacuum aspiration system. The UV laser handles the primary cutting function, allowing aspiration to operate at reduced vacuum levels, thereby eliminating the need for high vacuum that causes retinal pulsations.
3Productivity
If mechanical cutting edges are used to sever vitreous fibers, then cutting is achieved, but the instrument complexity and potential for retinal contact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical cutting edges with a simple UV laser delivery system. The optical fiber-based laser delivery mechanism is structurally simpler than mechanical reciprocating blades or ultrasonic tips, reducing instrument complexity while maintaining effective fiber severing capability through photodisruption.
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
The UV laser effectively cuts collagen fibers, reducing retinal traction, improving aspiration efficiency, and allowing for higher repetition rates with lower vacuum levels, thus minimizing the risk of post-operative retinal detachment.
Implementation Method 1
The UV laser beam severs collagen fibers of the vitreous material
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein is a vitrectomy probe for treating an eye of a patient. In one or more embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include a body, and a disruption element extending from the body, wherein the disruption element includes a needle having a main lumen and a port at a distal end thereof. The disruption element may further include an ultraviolet (UV) optical fiber projecting a UV laser beam for irradiating an area proximate the port. In some embodiments, a UV light source is optically connected with the UV optical fiber, the UV light source generating the UV laser beam in a spectral range of approximately 190 – 220 nanometers to target collagen fibers of a vitreous material entering the port.