STEERABLE LASER PROBE

• US 20140358131A1
• Filed: 08/18/2014
• Published: 12/04/2014
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 9,757,277 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/4
• 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 comprising:

aiming a distal end of an optic fiber 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 a handle;

adjusting an amount of force applied to an actuation structure of the handle; and

aiming the distal end of the optic fiber 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:

increasing the amount of force applied to the actuation structure of the handle.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

compressing the actuation structure of the handle.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

curving the optic fiber.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

decreasing the amount of force applied to the actuation structure of the handle.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

decompressing the actuation structure of the handle.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

curving the optic fiber.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

curving the optic fiber.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

aiming the distal end of the optic fiber 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.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

increasing the amount of force applied to the actuation structure of the handle.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

compressing the actuation structure of the handle.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

curving the optic fiber.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

decreasing the amount of force applied to the actuation structure of the handle.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

decompressing the actuation structure of the handle.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

curving the optic fiber.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber.