AN ACOUSTIC DIVERTER FOR IMPROVED SAFETY DURING OPHTHALMIC LASER TREATMENTS

• Main Authors: PETKOVSEK Rok, VRECKO Andrej, POZAR Tomaz, ORTHABER Uros
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; Slovenian
• Published: 31.07.2023
• Subjects: BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PROSTHESES; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS

The present invention belongs to the field of instruments for examination and treatment of human eyes. The invention relates to an acoustic diverter, which is used during laser treatment of eyes based on photodisruption within the eye, such as capsulotomy, iridotomy and vitreolysis. The present invention achieves the task of limiting or preventing acoustic waves to be focused in the eye so that the threshold negative pressures for injuries is not reached by providing an acoustic diverter, which has a geometry of an anterior surface concave, flat or slightly convex such that it prevents or decreases refocusing of acoustic waves back into the eye, and wherein the acoustic diverter is made of any biocompatible and sterilisable material transparent for the visible and near IR light. The preferred material has acoustic impedance between 1.4 to 1.7×106 kg/(m2·s) and/or attenuation coefficient more than 1 cm−1 at 10 MHz in order to ensure improved dispersion or attenuation of acoustic waves.