Steerable laser probe

• US 9,925,089 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2016
• Issued: 03/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2012
• 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): LUAN, SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US15/225,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20160331589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• 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: A61F 2009/00863 Retina
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00821 for coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00823 Laser features or special beam parameters therefor

Abstract

A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, a wire having a pre-formed curve, and an optic fiber disposed within the housing tube and an inner bore of the handle. 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. A compression of the actuation structure may curve or straighten the housing tube. A decompression of the actuation structure may curve or straighten the housing tube.

Claims

1. A method for performing an ophthalmic surgical procedure comprising:

varying an amount of compression of 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 and wherein each actuation arm of the plurality of actuation arms has an inverted actuation joint; and

aiming a distal end of an optic fiber at a first target within an eye.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

increasing the amount of compression of the actuation structure.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

curving the optic fiber.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

curving the optic fiber at least 45 degrees.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

curving a housing tube wherein the housing tube has a housing tube distal end and a housing tube proximal end.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

actuating an actuation platform away from the handle distal end.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

retracting an actuation platform relative to a housing tube.

8. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

retracting a wire relative to a housing tube wherein the housing tube has a housing tube distal end and a housing tube proximal end.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

actuating a pre-formed curve of the wire within the housing tube.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

retracting the pre-formed curve away from the housing tube distal end.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

decreasing the amount of compression of the actuation structure.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber at least 45 degrees.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

straightening a housing tube wherein the housing tube has a housing tube distal end and a housing tube proximal end.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

actuating an actuation platform away from the handle proximal end.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

extending an actuation platform relative to a housing tube.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

extending a wire relative to a housing tube wherein the housing tube has a housing tube distal end and a housing tube proximal end.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

actuating a pre-formed curve of the wire within the housing tube.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

extending the pre-formed curve towards the housing tube distal end.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

performing a photocoagulation procedure.