A 35-year old treatment for retinal diseases caused by diabetes has been improved thanks to better controls on the laser-based device. For example, the controls on Pascal deliver many short pulses at one time rather than long single and more painful pulses. Developed at OptiMedica Inc, Santa Clara, Calif., (optimedica.com), the equipment uses laser pulses to destroy abnormal blood vessels on the retina. The treatment lowers the risk of losing sight by up to 50%.

Older equipment is tedious for patients and doctors. Ophthalmologists could deliver only one pulse or burn at a time, and treatments require as many as 2,000 burns. Full treatment typically requires two to four 15-min. sessions.

OptiMedica engineers used LabView FPGA software from National Instruments Inc, Austin, Texas, (ni.com) to let the equipment vary the timing and power of each pulse for the best speed and precision while protecting the fovea. This equipment uses laser-burn patterns with exclusion zones. In addition, the new system reduces overall procedure time and patient discomfort by reducing laser-pulse time from 100 to just 10 milliseconds and by generating multiple spots with each press of a foot pedal. A separate red beam lets operators aim the laser.

Pascal's pattern-scanning laser makes it easier for physicians administering the treatment and makes it easier on patients. It uses a field programmable gate array in the controls. These devices do not require the same level of FDA code reviews as processor-based systems. Programmable silicon, rather than a fixed ASIC chip, also reduced development time by 30%. And features can be added later to expand the system as needed.