Steerable laser probe
First Claim
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1. A method for performing an ophthalmic photocoagulation procedure comprising:
- applying a first force to an auto-fixing actuation control of a handle, the auto-fixing actuation control disposed adjacent to an auto-fixing component of the handle wherein the auto-fixing actuation control is disposed between an auto-fixing component distal end and an auto-fixing component proximal end;
indicating a direction of curvature of a flexible housing tube;
actuating the auto-fixing actuation control within an actuation control guide of the handle until the auto-fixing actuation control is in a first desired position within the actuation control guide;
extending the flexible housing tube relative to the optic fiber wherein the optic fiber resists an extension of the flexible housing tube relative to the optic fiber;
curving the flexible housing tube in the direction of curvature wherein the flexible housing tube has a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end;
curving an optic fiber in the direction of curvature to a first curved position relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end;
removing the first force from the auto-fixing actuation control;
fixing the auto-fixing actuation control in the first desired position within the actuation control guide by a force between the auto-fixing actuation control and the auto-fixing component;
fixing the optic fiber in the first curved position relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end;
aiming an optic fiber distal end of the optic fiber at a first photocoagulation target;
energizing a laser;
applying a second force to the auto-fixing actuation control;
actuating the auto-fixing actuation control within the actuation control guide of the handle until the auto-fixing actuation control is in a second desired position within the actuation control guide;
curving the optic fiber in the direction of curvature to a second curved position relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end wherein the second curved position relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end is greater than the first curved position relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end;
removing the second force from the auto-fixing actuation control;
fixing the auto-fixing actuation control in the second desired position within the actuation control guide by the force between the auto-fixing actuation control and the auto-fixing component; and
fixing the optic fiber in the second curved position relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end.
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Abstract
A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, an auto-fixing actuation control, a flexible housing tube having a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end, a first flexible housing tube portion having a first stiffness, and an optic fiber disposed within an inner bore of the handle and the flexible housing tube. An actuation of the auto-fixing actuation control may gradually curve the flexible housing tube. A gradual curving of the flexible housing tube may gradually curve the optic fiber.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for performing an ophthalmic photocoagulation procedure comprising:
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applying a first force to an auto-fixing actuation control of a handle, the auto-fixing actuation control disposed adjacent to an auto-fixing component of the handle wherein the auto-fixing actuation control is disposed between an auto-fixing component distal end and an auto-fixing component proximal end; indicating a direction of curvature of a flexible housing tube; actuating the auto-fixing actuation control within an actuation control guide of the handle until the auto-fixing actuation control is in a first desired position within the actuation control guide; extending the flexible housing tube relative to the optic fiber wherein the optic fiber resists an extension of the flexible housing tube relative to the optic fiber; curving the flexible housing tube in the direction of curvature wherein the flexible housing tube has a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end; curving an optic fiber in the direction of curvature to a first curved position relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end; removing the first force from the auto-fixing actuation control; fixing the auto-fixing actuation control in the first desired position within the actuation control guide by a force between the auto-fixing actuation control and the auto-fixing component; fixing the optic fiber in the first curved position relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end; aiming an optic fiber distal end of the optic fiber at a first photocoagulation target; energizing a laser; applying a second force to the auto-fixing actuation control; actuating the auto-fixing actuation control within the actuation control guide of the handle until the auto-fixing actuation control is in a second desired position within the actuation control guide; curving the optic fiber in the direction of curvature to a second curved position relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end wherein the second curved position relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end is greater than the first curved position relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end; removing the second force from the auto-fixing actuation control; fixing the auto-fixing actuation control in the second desired position within the actuation control guide by the force between the auto-fixing actuation control and the auto-fixing component; and fixing the optic fiber in the second curved position relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification