Pascal Photocoagulator
Encyclopedia
The PASCAL Photocoagulator is an integrated semi-automatic pattern scan laser photocoagulation
system designed to treat ocular diseases using a single shot or predetermined pattern array. The device is for ophthalmologists, particularly those that focus in vitreo-retinal surgery, a type of eye surgery
. It is produced by OptiMedica, an ophthalmic medical device company located in Silicon Valley
(Santa Clara, CA).
OptiMedica manufactures a laser system for ocular diseases including diabetic retinopathy
.
. OptiMedica founders worked together at Coherent, and based on their experience in the ophthalmic laser industry, recognized the need for improved safety, precision, comfort and speed of photocoagulation procedures for eye diseases.
The Pascal system is fully integrated with a touch screen GUI
, advanced slit lamp
optics
, slit lamp mounted micromanipulator
, and ergonomic features for the physician and patient.
applies an electrical current proportional to the desired location of a beam of light to a high speed, sensitive, limited rotation motor called a galvanometer
(commonly referred to as a galvo). A scanner is a galvo with a mirror attached to it. When the current is changed, the scanner quickly steers the laser beam to the desired location. Closed loop circuits ensure that the desired position is precisely reached.
In Pascal, control selections such as pattern and spot size from the graphic user interface are translated into (F,X,Y) coordinates. Three scanners deliver laser light to the retina
in multi-spot patterns by controlling the x-position (X), y-position(Y) and fiber selection(F) for the placement and size of the laser beam.
The use of a FPGA from National Instruments
enables fast scanning speed and a short response time of 4 microseconds for critical measurements and controlled feedback.
and structural abnormalities of the retina
and choroids including:
Pascal photocoagulator also has [CE Mark] for international sale.
Laser photocoagulation
Laser coagulation or laser photocoagulation surgery is used to treat a number of eye diseases and has become widely used in recent decades...
system designed to treat ocular diseases using a single shot or predetermined pattern array. The device is for ophthalmologists, particularly those that focus in vitreo-retinal surgery, a type of eye surgery
Eye surgery
Eye surgery, also known as orogolomistician surgery or ocular surgery, is surgery performed on the eye or its adnexa, typically by an ophthalmologist.-Preparation and precautions:...
. It is produced by OptiMedica, an ophthalmic medical device company located in Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
(Santa Clara, CA).
OptiMedica manufactures a laser system for ocular diseases including diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is retinopathy caused by complications of diabetes mellitus, which can eventually lead to blindness....
.
History
The PASCAL (PAtterned SCAnning Laser) method of photocoagulation was initially developed at Stanford UniversityStanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
. OptiMedica founders worked together at Coherent, and based on their experience in the ophthalmic laser industry, recognized the need for improved safety, precision, comfort and speed of photocoagulation procedures for eye diseases.
Ophthalmic laser delivery systems
Most ophthalmic laser delivery systems include:- a laser source such as the Nd:YAG laserNd:YAG laserNd:YAG is a crystal that is used as a lasing medium for solid-state lasers. The dopant, triply ionized neodymium, typically replaces yttrium in the crystal structure of the yttrium aluminium garnet , since they are of similar size...
used in Pascal - a delivery device such as a slit lampSlit lampThe slit lamp is an instrument consisting of a high-intensity light source that can be focused to shine a thin sheet of light into the eye. It is used in conjunction with a biomicroscope...
or laser indirect ophthalmoscope (LIO) - a control system for selecting power and duration
- a method for selecting spot size
The Pascal system is fully integrated with a touch screen GUI
Gui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
, advanced slit lamp
Slit lamp
The slit lamp is an instrument consisting of a high-intensity light source that can be focused to shine a thin sheet of light into the eye. It is used in conjunction with a biomicroscope...
optics
Optics
Optics is the branch of physics which involves the behavior and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it. Optics usually describes the behavior of visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light...
, slit lamp mounted micromanipulator
Micromanipulator
A micromanipulator is a device which is used to physically interact with a sample under a microscope, where a level of precision of movement is necessary that cannot be achieved by the unaided human hand...
, and ergonomic features for the physician and patient.
Pascal Method - pattern scanning
In scanning applications, a control systemControl system
A control system is a device, or set of devices to manage, command, direct or regulate the behavior of other devices or system.There are two common classes of control systems, with many variations and combinations: logic or sequential controls, and feedback or linear controls...
applies an electrical current proportional to the desired location of a beam of light to a high speed, sensitive, limited rotation motor called a galvanometer
Galvanometer
A galvanometer is a type of ammeter: an instrument for detecting and measuring electric current. It is an analog electromechanical transducer that produces a rotary deflection of some type of pointer in response to electric current flowing through its coil in a magnetic field. .Galvanometers were...
(commonly referred to as a galvo). A scanner is a galvo with a mirror attached to it. When the current is changed, the scanner quickly steers the laser beam to the desired location. Closed loop circuits ensure that the desired position is precisely reached.
In Pascal, control selections such as pattern and spot size from the graphic user interface are translated into (F,X,Y) coordinates. Three scanners deliver laser light to the retina
Retina
The vertebrate retina is a light-sensitive tissue lining the inner surface of the eye. The optics of the eye create an image of the visual world on the retina, which serves much the same function as the film in a camera. Light striking the retina initiates a cascade of chemical and electrical...
in multi-spot patterns by controlling the x-position (X), y-position(Y) and fiber selection(F) for the placement and size of the laser beam.
The use of a FPGA from National Instruments
National Instruments
National Instruments Corporation, or NI , is an American company with over 5,000 employees and direct operations in 41 countries. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, it is a producer of automated test equipment and virtual instrumentation software...
enables fast scanning speed and a short response time of 4 microseconds for critical measurements and controlled feedback.
Indications for use
Pascal Photocoagulator was approved in 2005 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration through a 510(k) for treating vascularVascular
Vascular in zoology and medicine means "related to blood vessels", which are part of the circulatory system. An organ or tissue that is vascularized is heavily endowed with blood vessels and thus richly supplied with blood....
and structural abnormalities of the retina
Retina
The vertebrate retina is a light-sensitive tissue lining the inner surface of the eye. The optics of the eye create an image of the visual world on the retina, which serves much the same function as the film in a camera. Light striking the retina initiates a cascade of chemical and electrical...
and choroids including:
- Proliferative and non proliferative diabetic retinopathyDiabetic retinopathyDiabetic retinopathy is retinopathy caused by complications of diabetes mellitus, which can eventually lead to blindness....
- Choroidal neovascularization
- Branch and central retinal vein occlusion
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Lattice degeneration
- Retinal tears and detachments
- Iridotomy
- IridectomyIridectomyAn iridectomy, also known as a surgical iridectomy or corectomy, is the surgical removal of part of the iris. These procedures are most frequently performed in the treatment of closed-angle glaucoma and iris melanoma....
- Trabeculoplasty in angle closure and open angle glaucomaGlaucomaGlaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently damaging vision in the affected eye and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye...
Pascal photocoagulator also has [CE Mark] for international sale.
Awards
- In 2007, OptiMedica received a R&D 100 Award for the Pascal Photocoagulator. The award recognizes the innovative technology as one of the top 100 products introduced to the marketplace in the last year.
- The Pascal Photocoagulator was recognized with a 2007 Medical Design Excellence Award gold medal in the surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies category.