	US 12,465,522 B2
	Methods and probes for intrascleral laser surgery
Ken Arnold, Corralitos, CA (US); and George Marcellino, Santa Cruz, CA (US)
Assigned to IRIDEX Corporation, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed by IRIDEX Corporation, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 7, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/544,157.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/122,241, filed on Dec. 7, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0175580 A1, Jun. 9, 2022
Int. Cl. A61F 9/008 (2006.01); A61F 9/007 (2006.01)

CPC A61F 9/00821 (2013.01) [A61F 9/00736 (2013.01); A61F 9/00781 (2013.01); A61F 2009/00865 (2013.01); A61F 2009/00878 (2013.01); A61F 2009/00891 (2013.01)]

29 Claims

1. A method of treating an eye of a patient, the method comprising:

identifying an incision area in which an incision is to be formed in a sclera of the eye;

positioning a probe, the probe having a penetrating member and an optical fiber operably disposed within, at a first location along the incision area;

penetrating the sclera with the penetrating member within the incision area at the first location by advancing the penetrating member from the probe, thereby penetrating the sclera, wherein advancing the penetrating member comprises advancing the penetrating member until the penetrating member or associated support member engages a stop, the stop corresponding to a desired depth of the scleral penetration;

delivering the optical fiber into the penetrated sclera at the first location by advancing the optical fiber from the probe into the penetrated sclera; and

delivering treatment light energy through the optical fiber at the first location so as to coagulate vasculature underlying the sclera within the incision.

10. A method of treating an eye of a patient, the method comprising:

identifying an incision area in which an incision is to be formed in a sclera of the eye;

positioning a probe, the probe having a penetrating member and an optical fiber operably disposed within, at a first location along the incision area;

delivering the optical fiber into the penetrated sclera at the first location by advancing the optical fiber from the probe into the penetrated sclera; and

delivering treatment light energy through the optical fiber at the first location so as to coagulate vasculature underlying the sclera within the incision.

20. A method of treating an eye of a patient, the method comprising:

identifying an incision area in which an incision is to be formed in a sclera of the eye;

positioning a probe, the probe having a penetrating member and an optical fiber operably disposed within, at a first location along the incision area;

penetrating the sclera with the penetrating member within the incision area at the first location;

delivering the optical fiber into the penetrated sclera at the first location;

delivering treatment light energy through the optical fiber at the first location so as to coagulate vasculature underlying the sclera within the incision;

penetrating the sclera with the penetrating member within the incision area at a second location within the incision area;

delivering the optical fiber into the penetrated sclera at the second location;

delivering treatment light energy through the optical fiber at the second location so as to coagulate the vasculature underlying the sclera within the incision area;

penetrating the sclera with the penetrating member within the incision area at one or more additional locations within the incision area;

delivering the optical fiber into the penetrated sclera at each of the one or more additional locations; and

delivering treatment light energy through the optical fiber at each of the one or more additional locations so as to coagulate the vasculature underlying the sclera within the incision area,

wherein the first, second and one or more additional penetrations are spaced apart such that the vasculature coagulated underlies the entire identified incision area.

26. A method of treating an eye of a patient, the method comprising:

identifying an incision area in which an incision is to be formed in a sclera of the eye;

positioning a probe into locations along the incision area, the probe having a plurality of penetrating members and one or more an optical fibers operably disposed within the penetrating members;

penetrating the sclera with a first penetrating member within the incision area at a first location;

delivering a first optical fiber into the penetrated sclera at the first location;

delivering treatment light energy through the first optical fiber at the first location so as to coagulate vasculature underlying the sclera within the incision;

penetrating the sclera by advancing one or more additional penetrating members of the probe at one or more additional locations within the identified incision area;

advancing one or more additional optical fibers into the penetrated sclera at the one or more additional locations; and

delivering treatment light energy through the one or more additional optical fibers at the one or more additional locations so as to coagulate the vasculature underlying the sclera within the incision area,

wherein the first and one or more additional locations are spaced apart such that the vasculature coagulated underlies the entire identified incision area.