Steerable laser probe

• US 9,757,277 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2014
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Katalyst Surgical, LLC (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Original Assignee: Katalyst Surgical, LLC (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Inventors: Scheller, Gregg D, Zeid, Matthew N
• Primary Examiner(s): JENNESS, NATHAN JAY
• Application Number:
  US14/461,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20140358131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,121 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/22 the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; Couplings or hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2238 with means for selectively laterally deflecting the tip of the fibre
• 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 9/008 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00821 for coagulation

Abstract

A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle proximal end and a handle distal end, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing sleeve, a shape memory sleeve at least partially disposed within the housing sleeve, and an optic fiber disposed within the shape memory sleeve and within an inner bore of the handle. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the optic fiber. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the optic fiber.

Claims

1. A method for photocoagulating tissue within an inner eye comprising:

applying a force to an actuation structure of a handle wherein the handle has a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, and wherein the actuation structure has a plurality of actuation arms;

compressing the actuation structure, wherein compressing the actuation structure causes;

retraction of an actuation cone into the actuation structure wherein the actuation cone has an actuation cone distal end and an actuation cone proximal end;

retraction of a housing sleeve relative to both an optic fiber and shape memory sleeve wherein the housing sleeve has a housing sleeve distal end and a housing sleeve proximal end;

curving of the shape memory sleeve wherein the shape memory sleeve has a shape memory sleeve distal end and a shape memory sleeve proximal end; and

curving of the optic fiber wherein the optic fiber has an optic fiber distal end and an optic fiber proximal end;

aiming the optic fiber distal end at a first photocoagulation target tissue within an inner eye wherein the first photocoagulation target tissue is within a particular transverse plane of the inner eye;

cauterizing the first photocoagulation target tissue;

rotating the handle; and

aiming the optic fiber distal end at a second photocoagulation target tissue within the inner eye wherein the second photocoagulation target tissue is within a particular frontal plane of the inner eye.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

aiming the optic fiber distal end at a third photocoagulation target tissue within the inner eye wherein the third photocoagulation target tissue is within a particular sagittal plane of the inner eye.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

exposing the optic fiber from the housing sleeve distal end.

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

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

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

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a force to resist a retraction of the actuation cone into the actuation structure.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

decompressing the actuation structure.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

extending the actuation cone from the actuation structure.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

extending the housing sleeve relative to the optic fiber.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

extending the housing sleeve over the optic fiber.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

straightening the shape memory sleeve.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

extending the housing sleeve relative to the shape memory sleeve.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

extending the housing sleeve over the shape memory sleeve.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the optic fiber is disposed in the shape memory sleeve.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the optic fiber is disposed in an inner bore of the handle.