STEERABLE LASER PROBE

• US 20160074224A1
• Filed: 11/30/2015
• Published: 03/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2012
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 9,539,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00469 for insertion of instruments, e.g. guide wire, optical fibre
• 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: 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 an actuation structure, a nosecone fixed to the actuation structure by one or more links and one or more link pins, a flexible housing tube, and an optic fiber disposed in the flexible housing tube and the actuation structure. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

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

rotating a first link about a first link pin;

preventing movement of the first link relative to the first link pin;

rotating the first link about a second link pin;

preventing movement of the first link relative to the second link pin;

rotating a second link about a third link pin;

preventing movement of the second link relative to the third link pin;

rotating the second link about a fourth link pin;

preventing movement of the second link relative to the fourth link pin;

extending a nosecone relative to the handle proximal end;

extending an inner hypodermic tube relative to the handle proximal end wherein the inner hypodermic tube has an inner hypodermic tube distal end and an inner hypodermic tube proximal end;

extending a piston relative to the handle proximal end wherein the piston has a piston distal end and a piston proximal end;

extending a flexible housing tube relative to the handle proximal end wherein the flexible housing tube has a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end;

applying a force to a portion of the flexible housing tube;

curving the flexible housing tube; and

curving an optic fiber relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end wherein the optic fiber has an optic fiber distal end and an optic fiber proximal end.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

curving the optic fiber at least 45 degrees relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

extending the flexible housing tube relative to the optic fiber.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

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

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

extending the flexible housing tube relative to a redundant cable wherein the redundant cable has a redundant cable distal end and a redundant cable proximal end.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

compressing the portion of the flexible housing tube.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

indicating a direction that the optic fiber curves.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

curving the optic fiber within an eye without increasing a length of the optic fiber within the eye.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

curving the optic fiber within an eye without decreasing a length of the optic fiber within the eye.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

aiming the optic fiber distal end at a photocoagulation target.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

performing a photocoagulation procedure.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

decompressing the actuation structure of the handle.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

straightening the flexible housing tube.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

retracting the inner hypodermic tube relative to the handle proximal end.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

retracting the piston relative to the handle proximal end.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

retracting the flexible housing tube relative to the handle proximal end.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber within an eye without increasing a length of the optic fiber within the eye.

19. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber within an eye without decreasing a length of the optic fiber within the eye.

20. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

straightening the optic fiber at least 45 degrees relative to the flexible housing tube proximal end.