Abstract
A system for a treatment with laser of pigmented ocular tissues. the system comprising a first subsystem (1) for imaging an pigmented ocular tissue of a person. a second subsystem (2) for planning a laser treatment of the pigmented ocular tissue, and a third subsystem (3) for performing the laser treatment, wherein: the first subsystem (1) comprises image analysis means (15), a camera, an optical coherence tomography apparatus (12) and at least one first head positioner (13, 14); the second subsystem (2) comprises a computer (21); the third subsystem (3) comprises an eye tracker, three or more lasers (111) of respective different wavelengths, an optical assembly (91), control means (115) and a second head positioner (92).
Claims
1. A system for a treatment with laser of pigmented ocular tissues, the system comprising a first subsystem (1) for imaging a pigmented ocular tissue of an eye of a person, a second subsystem (2) for planning a laser treatment of the pigmented ocular tissue, and a third subsystem (3) for performing the laser treatment, wherein: the first subsystem (1) comprises image analysis means (15), a camera, an optical coherence tomography apparatus (12) and at least one first head positioner (13, 14) for positioning a head of the person such that the pigmented ocular tissue can be imaged by the camera and the optical coherence tomography apparatus (12); the camera is configured to capture at least one color image of the eye and the pigmented ocular tissue; the optical coherence tomography apparatus (12) is configured to capture at least one optical coherence tomography image of the pigmented ocular tissue; the image analysis means (15) is configured to process the at least one color image and the at least one optical coherence tomography image for performing a set of measurements which comprise a biometry of the eye, and a densitometry, a pachymetry and a colorimetry of the pigmented ocular tissue, wherein the colorimetry comprises mapping or identifying the color of different regions of the pigmented ocular tissue; the image analysis means (15) is further configured to produce data related to the set of measurements; the second subsystem (2) comprises a computer (21) which is configured to process the data related to the set of measurements and to record a set of instructions; the set of instructions comprises values of laser parameters to be set for a laser scan across different regions of the pigmented ocular tissue, and also comprises an indication of one or more lasers or laser wavelengths to be used during the laser scan for each one of the different regions of the pigmented ocular tissue according to the color of the different regions; the third subsystem (3) comprises an eye tracker, three or more lasers (111) of respective different wavelengths, an optical assembly (91), control means (115) configured to control the optical assembly (91) and the three or more lasers (111) for executing the laser scan, and a second head positioner (92) for positioning the head of the person such that the pigmented ocular tissue can be treated with a laser beam produced by any of the three or more lasers (111); the optical assembly (91) is configured to scan the laser beam across the different regions of the pigmented ocular tissue; the eye tracker is communicatively connected to the control means (115) and is configured to track movements of the eye during the laser scan, and to provide to the control means (115) tracking information related to the tracked movements; the control means (115) is configured to receive and process the set of instructions and the tracking information, to control the optical assembly (91) according to the tracking information and the set of instructions, to select, among the three or more lasers (111) and according to the set of instructions, the laser that produces the laser beam for each one of the different regions during the laser scan, and to set the values of the laser parameters during the laser scan across the different regions; the third subsystem (3) further comprises a digital flare meter that is configured to detect the emission of particulates from the eye or the pigmented ocular tissue; the flare meter upon detecting the emission of particulates during the laser scan is configured to trigger the control means (115) to stop the laser scan.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the pigmented ocular tissue comprises the iris, the trabeculum, the retina and/or or any eye tissue that contains melanocytes.
3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the wavelengths of the three or more lasers (111) and/or the recorded values of the laser parameters are such that the laser beam produces an ablation or an apoptosis of melanocytes located on the pigmented ocular tissue during the laser scan, preferably the wavelengths of the three or more lasers (111) and/or the recorded values of the laser parameters being such that the laser beam is non-ablative and produces an apoptosis of the melanocytes during the laser scan.
4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the first subsystem (1), the second subsystem (2) and the third subsystem (3) are integrated with each other forming a single apparatus.
5. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the image analysis means (15) is configured to automatically perform the set of measurements, or any of the biometry, the densitometry, the topography, the pachymetry, and the colorimetry, preferably the colorimetry.
6. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the computer (21) of the second subsystem (2) is configured to generate automatically at least partially the set of instructions, preferably the computer (21) being further configured to enable a manual input or modification by a user of anyone instruction of the set of instructions.
7. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the set of instructions comprises a routine which defines a scanning path to be followed by the laser beam during the laser scan, preferably the computer (21) being configured to automatically generate the routine and/or the control means (115) being configured to control the optical assembly (91) according to the routine, further preferably the scanning path being of a flying-spot scanning path.
8. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the laser parameters comprise an energy of the laser beam; the densitometry comprises mapping or identifying the density of the different regions of the pigmented ocular tissue; the computer (21) of the second subsystem (2) is configured to record values of the laser beam's energy to be used during the laser scan for each one of the different regions according to the density of the different regions; and preferably the computer (21) of the second subsystem (2) is configured to automatically generate the values of the laser beam's energy as a function of the density of the different regions.
9. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the laser parameters comprise a pulse duration of the laser beam; the pachymetry comprises mapping or identifying the thickness of the different regions of the pigmented ocular tissue; the computer (21) of the second subsystem (2) is configured to record values of the pulse to be used during the laser scan for each one of the different regions according to the thickness of the different regions; and preferably the computer (21) of the second subsystem (2) is configured to automatically generate the values of the pulse duration as a function of the thickness of the different regions.
10. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the set of measurements comprise a topography of the pigmented ocular tissue, particularly a topography of the different regions of the pigmented ocular tissue.
11. A system according to claim 10, wherein: the laser parameters comprise a diameter of the laser beam; the computer (21) of the second subsystem (2) is configured to record values of the diameter to be used during the laser scan for each one of the different regions according to the topography of the different regions; and preferably, the computer (21) of the second subsystem (2) is configured to automatically generate the values of the diameter as a function of the topography of the different regions.
12. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the laser parameters comprise a laser pulse frequency; the biometry comprises identifying one more dimensions of the eye; the computer (21) of the second subsystem (2) is configured to record values of the laser pulse frequency to be used during the laser scan according to the one or more dimensions of the eye; and preferably, the computer (21) of the second subsystem (2) is configured to automatically generate the values of the laser pulse frequency as a function of the one or more dimensions.
13. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the eye tracker is a seven-dimensional eye tracker.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] To complete the description and in order to provide for a better understanding of the disclosure, a set of drawings is provided. Said drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate an embodiment of the disclosure, which should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of the disclosure, but just as an example of how the disclosure can be carried out. The drawings comprise the following figures:
[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the system according to the disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the system according to the disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates a first subsystem of an embodiment according to the disclosure.
[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates data related to a set of measurements performed with a first subsystem of an embodiment according to the disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates data related to a topography performed with a first subsystem of an embodiment according to the disclosure.
[0046] 5 FIG. 6 illustrates an optical coherence tomography image and related data acquired with a first subsystem of an embodiment according to the disclosure.
[0047] FIG. 7 illustrates a computer of a second subsystem of an embodiment according to the disclosure.
[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates information displayed on the computer of FIG. 7.
[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates a third subsystem of an embodiment according to the disclosure.
[0050] FIG. 10 illustrates the positioning of a patient at a third subsystem of an embodiment according to the disclosure, for the treatment with the laser.
[0051] FIG. 11 illustrates schematically certain components of a third subsystem of an embodiment according to the disclosure, for performing an laser scan on an eye.
[0052] FIG. 12 illustrates an image of an eye taken with the third subsystem during the laser treatment.
[0053] FIG. 13 illustrates an image of an pigmented ocular tissue, the image taken with the third subsystem of an embodiment which comprises a digital flaremeter.
[0054] FIG. 14 illustrates types of eye movement being tracked with an eye tracker of an embodiment of the disclosure, during the laser scanning.
[0055] FIG. 15 illustrates the application of a laser beam on the eye, for laser trabeculoplasty for glaucoma.
[0056] FIG. 16 illustrates the application of a laser beam on the eye, for retinal coagulation by laser for retinal diseases.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0057] The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is given solely for the purpose of describing the broad principles of the disclosure. Next embodiments of the disclosure will be described by way of example, with reference to the above-mentioned drawings, showing apparatuses and results according to the disclosure.
[0058] Embodiments of a system for a treatment with laser of pigmented ocular tissues according to the disclosure are explained next with reference to FIG. 1-14. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show two respective embodiments of a system according to the disclosure, each embodiment comprising a first subsystem 1 for imaging a pigmented ocular tissue of a person, a second subsystem 2 for planning a laser treatment of the pigmented ocular tissue, and a third subsystem 3 for performing the laser treatment. The embodiment of FIG. 1 is modular meaning that each of the three subsystems 1, 2, 3 is a respective separate module that may operate autonomously. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 the three subsystems are integrated with each other forming a single workstation that further comprises a bench 4 which extends from the first to the third subsystem, and the computer 21 of the second subsystem is located on said bench in between the other two subsystems. The first subsystem shown in FIG. 1-3 comprises an ophthalmic microscope 11 with a camera, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) apparatus 12, two first head positioners 13, 14 for respectively positioning the head of the patient in front of the ophthalmic microscope 11 and the OCT apparatus 12 so that the eye can be imaged using respectively the camera and the OCT apparatus 13. It is noted that there is contemplated the option of the first subsystem having a single first head positioner for positioning the head of the patient in front of the microscope 11 and the OCT apparatus 12. The camera of the shown ophthalmic microscope 11 is configured to capture at least one color image of the eye (the pigmented ocular tissue), and the OCT apparatus 12 is configured to capture at least one optical coherence tomography image of the pigmented ocular tissue and the eye. The shown OCT apparatus 12 of FIG. 3 comprises a control unit 17 connected to a first joystick 19a that permits a manual selection of the region of the eye to be imaged. The shown OCT apparatus 13 of FIG. 3 further comprises a screen 18. The ophthalmic microscope 11 shown in FIG. 3 further comprises control keys 19b for controlling the microscope 11, and a second joystick 19c that permits the user focusing on different regions of the eye with the camera of the microscope 11. The first subsystem 1 of FIG. 3 further comprises image analysis means 15 which is a computer configured to process the at least one color image and the at least one optical coherence tomography image for performing a set of measurements which comprise a biometry of the eye, and a densitometry, a pachymetry and a colorimetry of the eye (i.e. of the pigmented ocular tissue). Said computer 15 of the first subsystem of FIG. 3 further comprises a monitor 15a for displaying said images and/or related measurements and data, and also comprises a keyboard and a mouse 16 so that the user can interact and provide an input when necessary for the measurements.
[0059] The image analysis means 15 of the first subsystem shown in FIG. 3 is further configured to produce data related to the set of measurements, and FIG. 4 show some of said data produced in a preferred embodiment that is particularly suitable for performing photoablative or non-photoablative cosmetic iridoplasty. As shown in FIG. 4, said data comprise four color images 41 (color maps) of the iris for respective different color tones (two brown tones, one blue tone, and one green tone) and also comprise values on corresponding color scales 42 related to the tone of each point or region of the iris. Various types of color scales can be used for this purpose, and in a preferred embodiment there is used a scale from 0 to 60 (i.e the maximum value in the scale is 60 and the minimum is 0). The data shown in FIG. 4 further comprise colorimetry summary data for each region/point of the iris, said summary data comprising a contrast value 44 which is the average of the two brown tone values, as well as the blue tone value and the green tone value of each point or region of the iris. There are also shown in FIG. 4 thickness values 45 related to a pachymetry performed on the iris, and density values 46 related to a densitometry performed on the iris. Moreover, the data shown in FIG. 4 further comprise some values 48 of variables which may be particularly important to know for advantageously further improving the safety of the subsequent laser operation, said variables being the trabecular blocking factor (FBT), the clearance curve (cc) and the predicted maximum ocular pressure (PIO.sub.max) that would be reached if the iris surface is completely removed (36.65 mmHg). Advantageously the safety and overall quality of the overall procedure, can be improved if the set of measurements performed with the first subsystem further comprise a three dimensional (3D) topography of the pigmented ocular tissue, and FIG. 5 shows an example of such measurement wherein the thickness of an imaged iris is plotted as a function of the coordinates on an x-y plane.
[0060] FIG. 6 shows an OCT image and related dimensions of the eye, said dimensions being measured as part of the biometry made with the first subsystem of a preferred embodiment of the disclosure. The image of FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a patient's eye, and therein the are marked the following: posterior corneal arc length (PCAL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber width (ACW), anterior chamber area (ACA), sclerar spur, lens vault (LV), anterior vault (AV), iris curvature (ICURV), iris area (IAREA), iris thickness at 750 um from the scleral spur (IT750), iris thickness at 2000 m from the scleral spur (IT2000), iris space area at 750 m from the scleral spur (TISA750), and angle opening distance at 750 m from the scleral spur (AOD750).
[0061] The computer 21 of the second subsystem of the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is a laptop and is further shown in FIG. 7. A computer program being executed with the computer of FIG. 7 allows for processing the data related to the set of measurements, and for recording a set of instructions. Alternatively or complementary, the computer may have more than one computer programs which when executed enable processing the data from the set of measurements, and recording the set of instructions. FIG. 8 shows a screenshot from the computer program being run on the computer 21 of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 shows a graphical interface for recording values of laser parameters to be set for a laser scan across different regions of the pigmented ocular tissue. Specifically, the interface shown in FIG. 8 comprises a first section 81 with clickable features for setting the wavelength of the laser beam to be used, a second section 82 for setting the spot size (diameter) of the laser beam, a third section 83 for setting the laser power, a fourth section 84 for setting the duration of the pulse, a fifth section 85 for setting an interval between laser pulses, a sixth section 86 for selecting whether to operate the laser at a short-pulse (SP) mode, a seventh section 87 for setting a lens to be used with the laser, an eighth section 88 for setting a scanning/marking pattern, a ninth section 89 for optionally showing therein a picture or image of the pigmented ocular tissue, and additional sections 891 for showing information such as the number of shots and the estimated total energy to be applied with the laser on a treated area of the eye. It is noted that selecting the aforementioned short-pulse mode may involve adjusting/setting the duty cycle of the laser. Some laser wavelengths which are preferably used are 532 nm, 577 nm, 670 nm and 810 nm. Therefore, preferably the lasers of the third subsystem suitable for producing the aforementioned wavelengths. The value of laser energy, particularly for non-ablative cosmetic iridoplasty, may preferably set to be in the order of 1-500 J. The duration may preferably be of between 1 and 500 milliseconds, and the frequency may be in the order of 100-300 Hz. Hence, the lasers of the third subsystems may be configured to give a laser beam having the aforementioned pulse duration and power. The computer of the second subsystem, may have stored therein a computer program (computer code) which when executed produces automatically values for some or all of the laser parameters to be used during the laser scan. For example, the computer may be configured to: select the wavelengths to be used for each region of the pigmented ocular tissue, according to the color tone of said region; calculate the value of the duration as a function of the thickness of the region; and, calculate the laser power as a function of the density of the region. In a non-limiting example, the value of the pulse duration is set to increase as the value of the thickness increases, and the value of the laser power is set to increase as the density increases. Moreover, in a non-limiting example, the value of the laser frequency is set to increase as an estimated surface area of the scanned region of the eye-part increases, so that the scanning and overall laser treatment is effective and fast.
[0062] FIG. 9 shows the third subsystem of a preferred embodiment of the disclosure. The third subsystem, i.e. third module, shown in FIG. 9 comprises a movable workbench 90 on which there is the optical assembly 91 of the third subsystem, a head positioner 92 (i.e. the second head positioner 92 of the overall system) a computer within a first cupboard 93 of the workbench 90, three lasers located in a second cupboard 94 of the workbench, a display 95 connected to the computer of the third subsystem, and a foot pedal 96 which the user may use for manually firing/shooting the laser beam towards the eye once the eye is being tracked with the eye tracker and the instructions from the planner have been processed by the control means or computer of the third subsystem. The optical assembly 91 shown in FIG. 9 comprise a respective ophthalmic microscope 97 for viewing the patient's eye. Preferably, said computer of the third subsystem of FIG. 9 may be configured (e.g. have appropriate software) to enable the user of the third subsystem to view on the display 95 an image of the pigmented ocular tissue, a part or all of the set of instructions being recorded with the second subsystem, and if necessary the data related to the measurements taken with the first subsystem. Also, said computer may be or act as the control means of the third subsystem.
[0063] FIG. 10 show a part of a third subsystem which is similar to the one shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 10, the patient's head can be rested on the second head positioner 92, thereby the patient's eye being positioned in front of an objective lens 98 of the optical assembly such that the eye (pigmented ocular tissue) can be treated with a laser beam produced by any of the three lasers of the third subsystem. In the embodiment of FIG. 10 the laser beam produced by any of the system's laser is delivered to the optical assembly via an optical fiber 99.
[0064] The configuration and operation of the third subsystem of each of the preferred embodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10 is further described with the aid of FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the third subsystem further comprises control means 115, four lasers 111 of respective different wavelengths, an eye tracker which comprises an electronic unit 113 and a camera 112 which is optically coupled to or integrated with the optical assembly for capturing a live video of the eye and providing the video to the electronic unit 113. Referring to FIG. 11, the electronic unit 113 of the eye tracker is communicatively connected to the control means 115 and is configured to track movements of the eye during the laser scan, and to provide to the control means 115 tracking information related to the tracked movements. A live video 114 of the imaged eye can be displayed on a screen, e.g. on the aforementioned display 95 (computer monitor) shown in FIG. 9. It is noted that the eye tracker and in particular the aforementioned electronic unit 113 may be integrated with or connected to a computer of the third subsystem, or may be replaced by an image/video processing computer program which is configured to track movements of the eye, generate related tracking information during the laser scan and provide said tracking information to the control means 115. Similarly, the control means 115 depicted in FIG. 11 may be an electronic controller or card connectable to a computer, or may be integrated in a computer of the third subsystem. Alternatively or complementary the control means may comprise or be a software program/module which when executed on a computer which has appropriate interfaces for being operationally connected with the lasers and the optical assembly, can perform the functions of the control means. Referring to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 11, the control means 115 is configured to receive and process the set of instructions and the tracking information, to control the optical assembly according to the tracking information and the set of instructions, to select, among the four lasers 111 and according to the set of instructions, the laser that produces the laser beam for each one of the different regions during the laser scan, and to set the values of the laser parameters during the laser scan across the different regions. For this purpose, the control means 115 shown in FIG. 11 is connected and configured to control the lasers 111 and a galvo scanner 116 which comprises two rotatable galvo mirrors. As indicated by the thick arrows in FIG. 11, any of the four lasers 111 of the third subsystem of the shown embodiment may provide a laser beam which, via the galvo scanner 116 and the overall optical assembly of the third subsystem, is directed towards and is scanned across the pigmented ocular tissue of the patient who is appropriately positioned in front of the optical assembly. Referring to FIG. 11, the instructions 118 received by the control means 115 for controlling the lasers 111 and the galvo scanner 116, may comprise the set of instructions, but may also comprise additional or alternative instructions being given by the user of the system or by other hardware or software components of the system during the laser operation. Such additional or alternative instructions may be given/inputted by the user of the system, who is contemplated to be an ophthalmologist or eye surgeon who oversees and supervises the entire procedure, or said additional instruction may originate from optional safety features of the third subsystem, such as for example a digital flaremeter as the one described further below. The third subsystem of the embodiment of FIG. 11 further comprises a LED light 117 which illuminates the eye for imaging the latter. Said LED light is preferably white, but it may be of a different color. When said LED light 117 is white, images captured by the camera 112 can advantageously be used for implementing a digital flaremeter as part of the third subsystem. Said digital flaremeter can be an image processing software which is configured to process images or a video of the eye and detect the presence of any particulates being emitted from the eye or the pigmented ocular tissue during the laser operation. When the presence of such particulates is detected, the digital flaremeter is preferably configured to trigger the control means to stop the laser scan, for safety reasons. Hence, the digital flaremeter may be configured to trigger or provide instructions to the control means to stop the laser scan.
[0065] An example of a frame of a video captured by a high-resolution digital camera of an embodiment of the third subsystem is shown in FIG. 12 which further shows two circles 121, 122 which are drawn over the image for indicating the shown boundaries of the pupil and the iris. FIG. 12 further show two small drawn squares 123, 124 over small areas of the pupil. The parts of the images from said small areas of FIG. 12 can be processed for detecting the potential presence thereat of particulates being emitted during the laser treatment. In the digital image/video, the pupil generally has a dark or black color which aids in the detection of said particulates by the aforementioned optional digital flaremeter which is found in a preferred embodiment of the system. Under white light illumination of the eye, within a black/white or grayscale photo taken using a digital camera, such as the camera 112 shown in FIG. 11, said particulates generally may appear as bright or white spots in a black/dark background as shown in FIG. 13. Hence, said particulates can be detected via processing the photo showing said spots. For facilitating this detection, preferably the camera is a high-resolution digital camera. In a preferred embodiment which comprises said digital flaremeter, the latter is configured upon detecting the presence of particulates to trigger an interlock of the control means or directly of the laser, so that the laser is shut down, or the laser beam is blocked, and/or the scanning process stops.
[0066] In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure the eye tracker of the third module (i.e. of the third subsystem) of the system according to the disclosure, is a seven-dimensional (7D) eye tracking system which is configured to track the following types of eye movement shown in FIG. 14, each type of movement corresponding to a respective one of the seven dimensions: horizontal displacement (1.sup.st dimension); vertical displacement (2.sup.nd dimension); horizontal rolling (3.sup.rd dimension); vertical rolling (4.sup.th dimension); cyclotorsion (5.sup.th dimension); axial displacement (6.sup.th dimension). The seventh dimension is the time. The use of a 7D eye tracker advantageously improves the safety and positional accuracy of the laser treatment, even at high scanning speeds. By the tracking the eye movement, the eye tracker can provide to the control means information regarding the positional offset of the eye, so that the direction towards which the lase beam is directed by the optical assembly is accordingly corrected (i.e. is offset).
[0067] As mentioned, the system according to the disclosure is particularly suitable and generally intended for cosmetic iridoplasty for altering the color of the iris of the eye. The laser treatment applied with the system according to the disclosure may be ablative or non-ablative, depending on the laser parameters used. The system is particularly suitable for enabling the performance of non-ablative laser treatments of melanin containing eye tissues, such as the iris, the trabeculum and the retina. It is contemplated that some of the types of treatment that may be performed with the system of the disclosure are laser trabeculoplasty for glaucoma as shown in FIG. 15, and retinal coagulation by laser for retinal diseases, as shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 15 shows the laser beam being applied on the trabeculum, and for this reason the laser beam being generated with the third subsystem may be directed at an angle towards the trabeculum with the aid of a contact lens being positioned in front of the eye. FIG. 16 shows the laser beam entering through the eye pupil and being applied on the retina of the eye. Most preferably, the first, second and third subsystem of the disclosure are configured to operate in part of fully automatically so that the overall procedure that includes the eye measurements, the planning of the laser procedure, and the laser procedure, is safe, fast and can be completed within few hours, or even within minutes and in less than an hour.
[0068] In this text, the term comprises and its derivations (such as comprising, etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc.
[0069] In the context of the present disclosure, the term approximately and terms of its family (such as approximate, etc.) should be understood as indicating values very near to those which accompany the aforementioned term. That is to say, a deviation within reasonable limits from an exact value should be accepted, because a skilled person in the art will understand that such a deviation from the values indicated is inevitable due to measurement inaccuracies, etc. The same applies to the term about.
[0070] The disclosure is obviously not limited to the specific embodiment(s) described herein, but also encompasses any variations that may be considered by any person skilled in the art (for example, as regards the choice of materials, dimensions, components, configuration, etc.), within the general scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims.
