Steerable laser probe and methods of use

• US 9,498,381 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2015
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Katalyst Surgical, LLC (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Original Assignee: Katalyst Surgical, LLC (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Inventors: Scheller, Gregg D, Moore, Craig, Zeid, Matthew N
• Primary Examiner(s): FARAH, AHMED M
• Application Number:
  US14/963,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20160310323A1
• Time in Patent Office: 349 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/4, 606/6, 606 13- 16, 607 88- 92, 128/898
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2005 with beam delivery through an interstitially insertable device, e.g. needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2238 with means for selectively laterally deflecting the tip of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2244 Features of optical fibre cables, e.g. claddings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2288 the optical fibre cable having a curved distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00863 Retina
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00821 for coagulation

Abstract

A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, a housing sleeve disposed in an inner bore of the handle configured to project a distance from the handle distal end, an optic fiber disposed in the housing sleeve, a shape memory sleeve disposed over a distal end of the optic fiber, and a light source configured to connect to a proximal end of the optic fiber. The shape memory sleeve may be configured to curve the distal end of the optic fiber at an angle, e.g., 90 degrees, when the shape memory sleeve is not contained within the housing sleeve.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

compressing an actuation structure of a handle wherein the actuation structure has a plurality of actuation arms and wherein the handle has a handle distal end and a handle proximal end;

extending an actuation mechanism of the handle relative to the handle proximal end;

advancing the actuation mechanism towards an actuation mechanism distal interface;

actuating the actuation mechanism along an actuation mechanism guide of the handle;

advancing an actuation guide interface within an actuation channel of the handle;

extending a shape memory sleeve relative to a housing sleeve wherein the housing sleeve has a housing sleeve distal end and a housing sleeve proximal end;

extending an optic fiber relative to the housing sleeve wherein the optic fiber has an optic fiber distal end and an optic fiber proximal end and wherein the optic fiber distal end is adjacent to a shape memory sleeve distal end; and

curving the optic fiber.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the shape memory sleeve is manufactured from nitinol.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the shape memory sleeve has a pre-bent angle.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

using laser photocoagulation to treat proliferative retinopathy.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

energizing a laser.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

cauterizing one or more portions of a retina.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

extending a portion of the actuation mechanism out of the actuation structure.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

extending the optic fiber from the housing sleeve distal end.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

extending the shape memory sleeve from the housing sleeve distal end.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a force configured to resist an extension of the actuation mechanism relative to the handle proximal end.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

decompressing the actuation structure.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

retracting a portion of the actuation mechanism into the actuation structure.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

retracting the actuation mechanism relative to the handle proximal end.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

retracting the actuation mechanism away from the actuation mechanism distal interface.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a force configured to facilitate a retraction of the actuation mechanism relative to the handle proximal end.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

retracting the shape memory sleeve relative to the housing sleeve.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

retracting the optic fiber relative to the housing sleeve.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

retracting the shape memory sleeve into the housing sleeve.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

retracting the optic fiber into the housing sleeve.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber.