Patent Description:
A cataract is a clouding and hardening of the eye's natural lens, a structure which is positioned behind the cornea, iris and pupil. The lens is mostly made up of water and protein and as people age these proteins change and may begin to clump together obscuring portions of the lens. To correct this, a physician may recommend phacoemulsification cataract surgery. In the procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision in the sclera or cornea of the eye. Then a portion of the anterior surface of the lens capsule is removed to gain access to the cataract. The surgeon then uses a phacoemulsification probe, which has an ultrasonic handpiece with a needle. The tip of the needle vibrates at ultrasonic frequency to sculpt and emulsify the cataract while a pump aspirates particles and fluid from the eye through the tip. Alternatively, the surgeon may use a pulsed laser to break the cataracted lens into small pieces that can be aspired. Either way, aspirated fluids are replaced with irrigation of a balanced salt solution to maintain the anterior chamber of the eye. After removing the cataract with phacoemulsification, the softer outer lens cortex is removed with suction. An intraocular lens (IOL) is then introduced into the empty lens capsule restoring the patient's vision.

Various techniques to sculpt and emulsify a cataracted lens were proposed in the patent literature. For example, <CIT> describes a method of treating an ocular pathology by generating high intensity focused ultrasound onto at least one eye's area, the method comprises at least the following steps of: positioning onto the eye a device capable of directing high intensity focused ultrasound onto at least one annular segment, and generating high intensity focused ultrasound energy onto the segment to treat at least one annular segment in the eye. Another embodiment of the invention concerns a device for treatment of an ocular pathology comprising at least one eye ring wherein the proximal end of the eye ring is suitable to be applied onto the globe and a high intensity focused ultrasound beam generator to generate ultrasound beam fixed on the distal end of the eye ring capable of treating the whole circumference of the eye in one step.

As another example, <CIT> describes methods and a system to provide a focused spot having a cross-sectional size within a range from about <NUM> to about <NUM> full width half maximum (FWHM); the corresponding cavitation can be similarly sized within similar ranges. The ultrasound beam can be focused and pulsed at each of a plurality of locations to provide a plurality of cavitation zones at each of the target regions. Each pulse may comprise a peak power within a range generating focal negative peak pressures within a range from about <NUM> MPa to about <NUM> MPa. While the treatment pulses can be arranged in many ways within a region, in many instances the pulses can be spaced apart within a region to provide intact tissue such as intact sclera between pulses.

<CIT> describes a technique and apparatus for ameliorating, at least temporarily, vision-inhibiting effects of cataracts and the like within the lens of an eye. To this end, a MHz high-frequency ultrasound is used, having relatively low power, much less than that which would cause rupturing or fragmentation of the lens is used to treat the eye and for limited irradiation periods. The power is sufficient, however, to agitate and move around protein clumps or the like within the lens that cause the cataracts.

<CIT> describes a system for robotic assisted cataract laser surgery.

The invention is defined by the appended independent claim, which is directed to a phacoemulsification apparatus. Certain embodiments defined by the dependent claims. Medical methods described herein do not form part of the claimed invention, but are provided for better understanding of the claimed phacoemulsification apparatus. An embodiment of the present invention that is described hereinafter provides a phacoemulsification apparatus including an ultrasound transmitter, an irrigation-aspiration tool, a robotic arm, and a processor. The ultrasound transmitter is configured to generate and focus an ultrasound beam into a lens capsule of an eye of a patient, to emulsify a lens of the eye. The irrigation-aspiration tool, having a distal end including an outlet of an irrigation channel for flowing irrigation fluid into the lens capsule, and an inlet of an aspiration channel for removing material from the lens capsule. The robotic arm, which is configured to move the distal end of the irrigation-aspiration tool inside the lens capsule. The processor, configured to control the ultrasound transmitter to irradiate one or more target locations in the eye capsule with the focused ultrasound beam and control the robotic arm to move the distal end of the irrigation-aspiration tool in coordination with the target locations irradiated by the ultrasound transmitter.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to control the robotic arm by registering a coordinate system of the robotic arm with a coordinate system of the ultrasound transmitter.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to control rates of irrigation and aspiration of the irrigation-aspiration tool, and transmission power of the ultrasound transmitter.

In an embodiment, the phacoemulsification apparatus further includes a thermal camera configured to acquire a thermal image of the lens capsule during emulsification of the lens, the thermal image being indicative of a temperature of the lens capsule.

In another embodiment, the ultrasound transmitter includes one of a paraboloid mirror and an ellipsoid mirror, for focusing the ultrasound beam.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to control the ultrasound transmitter to irradiate the one or more target locations by moving the mirror so as to direct the focused ultrasound beam to the target locations.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to move the mirror by at least one of tilting and translating the mirror.

In an embodiment, the robotic arm has at least three degrees of freedom.

In another embodiment, the phacoemulsification apparatus further includes a fluid filled tank, the tank having a shape conformal with the ultrasound transmitter and configured to establish a propagation path in the fluid for the ultrasound beam from the ultrasound transmitter to the eye.

Embodiments of the present invention that are described hereinafter provide apparatuses that generate and focus a high frequency ultrasound (US) beam into a cataracted lens to induce cavitation, so as to emulsify the cataracted lens into particles. At the same time, using a robotic arm that follows the US beam at each location over the lens emulsified by the focused beam, the emulsified particles are aspirated, and replenishing of fluid is provided therein.

In some embodiments, a phacoemulsification apparatus is provided, which comprises an ultrasound transmitter, configured to generate and focus an ultrasound beam into the lens capsule of the eye of a patient, to emulsify a lens of the eye. The apparatus further comprises an irrigation-aspiration tool, having a distal end comprising an outlet of an irrigation channel for flowing irrigation fluid into the lens capsule, and an inlet of an aspiration channel for removing material from the lens capsule. A robotic arm of the apparatus is configured to move the distal end of the irrigation-aspiration tool inside the lens capsule. A processor of the apparatus is configured to (i) control the ultrasound transmitter to irradiate one or more target locations in the eye capsule with the focused ultrasound beam, and (ii) control the robotic arm to move the distal end of the irrigation-aspiration tool in coordination with the target locations irradiated by the ultrasound transmitter.

To this end, during the surgical procedure, a shaped mirror, such as a parabolic mirror, reflects and focuses an incident US beam, with the mirror variably tilting and/or translating according to commands from a processor, so that different target locations of the lens are cavitated and emulsified by the focused US beam. Particles produced by the focused US beam are aspirated via an inlet of an aspiration channel included in a rigid distal end of an aspiration/irrigation tool mounted on the robotic arm.

A processor-controlled (e.g., motorized) stage that moves the shaped mirror and the robotic arm are registered to the same coordinate system. This, and the accurate coordinated motion of the motorized stage and the robotic arm, allows the location of a tip of the rigid distal end of the aspiration/irrigation tool, where the aspiration inlet is located, to be maintained at or near the focused point of the ultrasound beam, as the latter moves during the surgical procedure. At the same time, an outlet of an irrigation channel included in the rigid distal end of the aspiration/irrigation tool enables the replenishment of fluid at each location.

The embodiments of the invention use a large area piezoelectric (PE) crystal, typically having a diameter of several centimeters, to generate an US wave of sufficient size and at a high enough frequency (e.g., ><NUM>), that can be focused to a sufficiently small focal spot (FS) (e.g., FS<<NUM>) inside the lens capsule at the natural lens, using the paraboloid (or ellipsoid) mirror.

Above a certain US frequency, however, a US wave propagates poorly in air. To overcome this problem, in some embodiments, a conformal tank filled with fluid (e.g., saline solution) is comprised in a focused US transmitter. In this way, an ultra-high frequency US wave, generated and focused by the transmitter, propagates mostly though fluid media on its way to the eye, which can produce a very small FS with an ultra-high US frequency wave (e.g., ><NUM>, FS<<NUM>).

In some embodiments, to ensure that eye temperature remains below a prespecified limit throughout the surgical procedure (e.g., <<NUM>), the temperature of the eye is monitored with an infrared camera. The eye temperature is maintained below a specified limit by the processor that controls duration and amplitude of the applied ultrasound power based on a temperature feedback signal.

Using the disclosed emulsification apparatus, with its robotic and processor-controlled elements, allows for an accurate and less thermally hazardous cataract surgeries.

<FIG> is a schematic, pictorial view of a phacoemulsification apparatus <NUM> comprising a focused ultrasound (US) transmitter <NUM>, and a robotic arm <NUM> for coordinated aspiration/irrigation, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As seen, focused US transmitter <NUM> directs a focused US beam (FS) <NUM> onto a lens <NUM> having a cataract in a lens capsule <NUM> of an eye <NUM> of a patient <NUM>. Transmitter <NUM> comprises a processor-controlled tiltable and/or translatable paraboloid mirror (seen in <FIG>), that allows apparatus <NUM> to vary a direction <NUM> and/or depth of FS along direction <NUM>, according to a treatment plan under supervision of a physician <NUM>.

As further seen, a rigid distal end <NUM> of an irrigation-aspiration tool <NUM> is coupled to robotic arm <NUM>, the distal end comprising an aspiration channel <NUM> and an irrigation channel <NUM> (which can be coaxial or side-by-side). As inset <NUM> shows, aspiration channel <NUM> has an inlet <NUM>, and irrigation channel <NUM> has an outlet <NUM>, both at a distal tip of irrigation-aspiration tool <NUM>, from which cataract fragments are aspirated and into which replenishing irrigation fluid flows, respectively. Rigid distal end <NUM> is shown straight, yet, it may be curved or bent. While the shown embodiment uses a robotic arm having six degrees of freedom, the number of degrees of freedom may vary with design, typically with a minimum of three (e.g., to point at a solid angle direction and vary depth).

Rigid distal end <NUM> is positioned such that aspiration inlet <NUM> and an irrigation outlet <NUM> are aligned in proximity of the focused US beam. During the phacoemulsification procedure, robotic arm <NUM> moves rigid distal end <NUM>, so that aspiration inlet <NUM> and irrigation outlet <NUM> follow the FS location of the US beam, according to commands from a processor <NUM> communicated via a cable <NUM>.

In the shown embodiment, console <NUM> comprises a piezoelectric drive module <NUM>, which is coupled, using electrical wiring running in cable <NUM>, with a piezoelectric crystal (seen in <FIG>) inside transmitter <NUM>, to generate the US beam. Drive module <NUM> is controlled by processor <NUM> to adjust a US power and/or duration and/or frequency. A processor-controlled stage inside transmitter <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, is configured to, at minimum, tilt direction <NUM> of FS <NUM> over lens capsule <NUM>, according to a treatment plan that the processor executes by sending commands via a cable <NUM>.

During the phacoemulsification procedure, a pumping sub-system <NUM> comprised in a console <NUM> pumps irrigation fluid from an irrigation reservoir to outlet <NUM> to irrigate the eye. In an embodiment, the irrigation fluid may be administered via a gravity fed method or any other known method in the art. The fluid is pumped via a tubing line <NUM> running from the console <NUM> to irrigation-aspiration tool <NUM>. Eye fluid and waste matter (e.g., emulsified parts of the cataract) are aspirated via inlet <NUM> to the collection receptacle by a pumping sub-system <NUM> also comprised in console <NUM> and using a tubing line <NUM> running from irrigation-aspiration tool <NUM> to console <NUM>.

In the shown embodiment, apparatus <NUM> further comprises a thermal camera <NUM> that captures a thermal image of lens capsule <NUM> in real time. The captured image <NUM> is displayed on a display <NUM>. The displayed thermal image enables physician <NUM> to monitor and prevent thermal hazard to eye <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> presents other results of the cataract removal procedure on display <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may receive user-based commands via a user interface <NUM>, which may include setting or adjusting an irrigation rate and/or aspiration rate. User interface <NUM> may be combined with a touch screen graphical user interface of display <NUM>.

Some or all of the functions of processor <NUM> may be combined in a single physical component or, alternatively, implemented using multiple physical components. These physical components may comprise hard-wired or programmable devices, or a combination of the two. In some embodiments, at least some of the functions of processor <NUM> may be carried out by suitable software stored in a memory <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). This software may be downloaded to a device in electronic form, over a network, for example. Alternatively, or additionally, the software may be stored in tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as optical, magnetic, or electronic memory.

The apparatus shown in <FIG> may include further elements, which are omitted for clarity of presentation. For example, physician <NUM> may hold a control handle from which the physician can, for example, abort the automatic procedure. Physician <NUM> may use other surgical tools and/or apply medications, which are also not shown in order to maintain clarity and simplicity of presentation.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically illustrating focused ultrasound (US) transmitter <NUM> of apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As seen, transmitter <NUM> comprises a large diameter piezoelectric transducer <NUM>, where a typical diameter of transducer <NUM> ranges between <NUM> to <NUM> centimeters. Transducer <NUM> is driven by module <NUM> of <FIG> via a cable <NUM>. The large size transducer generates an approximate planner US wave <NUM>, which a paraboloid mirror <NUM> focuses (<NUM>) along direction <NUM>, via an aperture <NUM> in a case <NUM> of transmitter <NUM>.

A processor-controlled (via cable <NUM>) tilting stage <NUM>, is configured to tilt direction <NUM> of the FS over lens capsule <NUM>, according to a treatment plan executed by the processor. Using a paraboloid surface <NUM> for mirror <NUM> removes spherical aberrations, and therefore may enable achieving a more compact focal spot.

In an embodiment, transmitter <NUM> further comprises a visible light laser marker/indicator (e.g., red laser) <NUM> coupled to the transmitter, that points at a direction <NUM> overlapping direction <NUM>, at a location of the US focal spot <NUM> over lens capsule <NUM>, to assist the physician. In the shown embodiment, the visible ray propagates inside a narrow (e.g., <NUM> in diameter) lumen <NUM> made to this end in stage <NUM> and mirror <NUM>.

The example focused US transmitter shown in <FIG> is chosen purely for the sake of conceptual clarity. Such a transmitter may be constructed with alternative means to perform its functions, as would occur to a person skilled in the art. For example, a translation stage may be used instead of, or in addition to, stage <NUM>, to move the FS over the lens and to change a depth (along direction <NUM>) of the FS location inside lens capsule <NUM>. Stage <NUM>, or another stage (controlled by signals conveyed via cable <NUM>), may include encoders to provide feedback to the processor on the movement. Alternatively, a sufficiently accurate mechanics may save the need for a full feedback scheme.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically illustrating an ultra-high frequency focused ultrasound (US) transmitter <NUM>, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As seen, the US beam (<NUM>) that a transducer <NUM> generates and paraboloid mirror <NUM> focuses onto the eye, propagates almost a full path inside a conformal tank <NUM> filled with fluid <NUM>. A suitable, typically soft contact end sleeve <NUM>, enables bringing the fluid media closer to the eye, to further minimize US transmission losses in air. Soft end sleeve <NUM> can also accommodate motion of the rigid distal end of irrigation-aspiration tool <NUM>.

The example focused US transmitter shown in <FIG> is chosen purely for the sake of conceptual clarity. In another example, the conformal tank may have an internal waterproof thermal camera to function as does camera <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flow chart schematically illustrating a method for phacoemulsification using apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>. The algorithm, according to the presented embodiment, carries out a process that begins with physician <NUM> operating apparatus <NUM> (e.g., processor <NUM>) to register a coordinate system of focused US transmitter <NUM> with the coordinate system of robotic arm <NUM>, at a coordinate system registration step <NUM>. This step ensures that irrigation and aspiration are automatically and continuously applied at a current lens location at which the cataracted lens is emulsified.

Next, physician <NUM> operates transmitter <NUM> at low power to focus a low power US beam at a predefined location on the lens, at an US focal spot alignment step <NUM>. As described in <FIG>, in an embodiment, transmitter <NUM> further comprises visible light laser marker/indicator (e.g., red laser) <NUM> that points (in direction <NUM>) at a location of the US focus over lens capsule <NUM>, to assist the physician.

Next, physician <NUM> operates robotic arm <NUM> and thereby inserts the distal end <NUM> of irrigation-aspiration tool <NUM> into lens capsule <NUM> of an eye <NUM>, in proximity to the FS of the US beam, at an irrigation-aspiration tool <NUM> tip insertion and alignment step <NUM>.

At this point, physician <NUM> has apparatus <NUM> start the robotic phacoemulsification procedure by, for example, using a hand or foot control (not shown) to command processor <NUM> to start the procedure, at an automatic phacoemulsification step <NUM>. During this step, processor <NUM> controls ultrasound transmitter <NUM> to irradiate one or more target locations in the eye capsule with the focused ultrasound beam, and controls robotic arm <NUM> to move distal end <NUM> of irrigation-aspiration tool <NUM> in coordination with the target locations irradiated by the ultrasound transmitter.

After the automatic phacoemulsification procedure commences, physician <NUM> monitors its progress by, for example, viewing parameters used in the procedure on display <NUM>. Such parameters may include real time coordinates of the US FS and the distal end, actual US power and frequency, and the intraocular pressure (IOP), at a cataract removal procedure monitoring step <NUM>.

In an embodiment, physician <NUM> further monitors a lens temperature to anticipate a thermal hazard, by, for example, viewing thermal image <NUM> on display <NUM>, at an eye temperature monitoring step <NUM>.

The example flow chart shown in <FIG> is chosen purely for the sake of conceptual clarity. For example, some of the manual monitoring steps can be performed by a processor, such as the IOP and temperature monitoring.

Claim 1:
A phacoemulsification apparatus, comprising:
an irrigation-aspiration tool (<NUM>), having a distal end comprising an outlet (<NUM>) of an irrigation channel (<NUM>) for flowing irrigation fluid into the lens capsule, and an inlet (<NUM>) of an aspiration channel (<NUM>) for removing material from a lens capsule of an eye of a patient;
a robotic arm (<NUM>), which is configured to move the distal end (<NUM>) of the irrigation-aspiration tool inside the lens capsule;
an ultrasound transmitter (<NUM>, <NUM>), configured to generate and focus an ultrasound beam (<NUM>, <NUM>) into the lens capsule, to emulsify a lens of the eye; and
a processor (<NUM>), configured to:
control the ultrasound transmitter to irradiate one or more target locations in the eye capsule with the focused ultrasound beam; and
control the robotic arm to move the distal end of the irrigation-aspiration tool in coordination with the target locations irradiated by the ultrasound transmitter.