Patient interface device for ophthalmic surgical laser system employing cap for lens barrel operation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a patient interface device in an ophthalmic surgical laser system for coupling an eye of a patient to the laser system, the patient interface device comprising a lens barrel having a frustoconical housing for coupling to the laser system and a suction ring for coupling to the eye of the patient, the lens barrel and the suction ring are joined together by clamping. A cap is provided for use with the lens barrel as a mounting aid. In a configuration provided to a user, the lens barrel is partially embedded in and engaged with the cap. The cap has a relatively large diameter portion and a plurality of ribs that are easy to handle. The user holds the cap to mount the lens barrel on the laser system, and pulls the cap to unbuckle the cap from the lens barrel. The lens barrel is attached to the laser system using a bayonet fixture that provides haptic feedback to the user.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application No. 17 / 662,815 filed on May 10, 2022, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Background Art Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to ophthalmic surgical laser systems, and in particular, the present invention relates to patient interface devices for stabilizing a patient's eye and delivering a laser beam to the eye during ophthalmic surgery.

[0004] Related technologies

[0005] Significant developments in laser technology have led to its use in the field of ophthalmic surgery, and laser surgery has become the technology of choice for ophthalmic surgical applications. Ophthalmic surgery is a delicate procedure and requires precise coupling between the surgical tool (i.e., the laser beam) and the area to be treated (i.e., a portion of the patient's eye). Movement of the eye relative to the intended focus of the laser beam may result in non-optimal results and may cause permanent damage to tissue within the eye. Given that eye movement is often the result of an autonomic reflex, some techniques have been developed to attempt to stabilize the position of the patient's eye relative to the incident laser beam.

[0006] Mechanically stabilized devices known as patient interfaces (PIs) have been developed to couple the patient's eye to a laser system. The PI typically has a component that directly contacts the eye and engages and stabilizes the eye; at the same time, the PI is attached to the laser system so that the laser beam can be aligned with the eye. Some conventional PIs have a two-piece structure, in which the component that directly contacts the eye and the component that attaches to the laser system are separate components held together by a gripping or clamping device.

[0007] For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20020103481, entitled “Ocular Fixation And Stabilization Device For Ophthalmic Surgical Applications,” describes “a disposable stabilization and applanation device for corneal reconstruction for ophthalmic laser surgery, the device comprising an applanation lens disposed at a specific spatial position relative to an incident laser beam. The applanation lens is inserted into a central opening of an attachment ring and applanates the eye in response to pressure from a lens barrel. The attachment ring is coupled to the eye and includes a skirt surrounding the applanation lens and extending outwardly from the applanation lens to define a chamber. The skirt is formed with a groove having a groove formed in the attachment ring skirt. A suction channel is defined between the corneal surface of the eye. A vacuum source is connected to the suction channel and is in fluid communication with the suction channel and is selectively activated to create a partial vacuum in the channel. In operation, the attachment ring is coupled to the cornea by applying suction, and the applanation lens is lowered into contact with the cornea through the central opening of the attachment ring. A clamp structure surrounds the applanation lens and attachment ring and applies a compressive force to the two components, thereby coupling the two components together. An ophthalmic surgical laser connected to the lens barrel is then positioned in a three-dimensional relationship with a well-defined feature with the applanation surface of the patient's eye." (Abstract of the specification)

[0008] U.S. Patent No. 10835421, entitled “Patient Adapter For An Eye Laser Apparatus”, describes “a patient adapter for an eye laser apparatus, the patient adapter comprising a first partial adapter unit and a second partial adapter unit formed separately from the first partial adapter unit, the first partial adapter unit comprising a suction ring portion to be placed on the eye and attached to the eye by suction, the suction ring portion having a ring axis; the second partial adapter unit is configured for releasably coupling to the eye laser apparatus and comprising an eye contact element for shaping the surface of the eye, wherein the two partial adapter units are mechanically held together in a module between a first relative position and a second relative position, the eye contact element having a first axial position relative to the suction ring portion in the first relative position, and the eye contact element having a second axial position relative to the suction ring portion in the second relative position”. (Abstract)

[0009] U.S. Patent Application Publication 20130053837, entitled “System and Method for Docking a Cornea with a Patient Interface Using Suction,” describes “A system and method provided for docking a patient interface device with a patient's eye using suction. The patient interface device is formed by the structural cooperation of a base member and an attachment member, both of which have an open distal end. A contact lens is formed on the open distal end of the base member, and a continuous abutment is formed on the open distal end of the attachment member. When the interface device is placed on the patient's eye, only the continuous abutment contacts the patient's sclera. An air trap is formed between the contact lens and the continuous abutment. The air trap is in fluid communication with a vacuum channel. A vacuum pump is then used to draw air from the air trap and bring the surface of the eye into contact with the contact lens.” (Abstract)

[0010] U.S. Patent No. 8,845,624, entitled “Adaptive Patient Interface,” describes “a patient interface for an ophthalmic system, the patient interface may include an attachment module and a contact module, the attachment module may be attached to the ophthalmic system, the contact module being configured to contain a viscoelastic substance between the patient interface and the surgical eye. The viscoelastic substance may include a fluid, a liquid, a gel, a cream, an artificial tear, a film, an elastic material, or a viscous material. The refractive index of the viscoelastic substance may be in the range of approximately 1.24-1.52 at the operating wavelength of the ophthalmic system. The patient interface may also include an input port, an output port, and an aspiration system. It may be an integrated design or a multi-piece patient interface. The viscoelastic substance may be provided by injection on the cornea, at the contact module, or in a space defined by a soft elastic membrane or diaphragm, such as in a bag.” (Abstract)

[0011] U.S. Patent No. 11135093, entitled "Patient Interface For Ophthalmic Surgery," describes "a patient interface device for ophthalmic surgery, the patient interface device comprising an annular member and an exhaust conduit. The annular member has an outer side, an inner side, a distal side, and a proximal side. The inner side defines an opening that allows a laser beam to reach a treatment area of ​​the eye without reflection or refraction. The proximal side has a contact surface shaped to attach to a surface of the eye, and a groove that defines an aspiration chamber together with the surface of the eye. The exhaust conduit is capable of fluid communication with the aspiration chamber and directing fluid away from the aspiration chamber to attach the contact surface to the surface of the eye." (Abstract) Summary of the invention

[0012] The present invention is directed to a patient interface device for an ophthalmic surgical laser system that substantially obviates one or more problems caused by limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to make it easier to handle the lens barrel of the patient interface device and to mount it to the laser delivery head of the laser system.

[0014] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be described in the following description, and will be partially apparent from the description, or may be known through practice of the present invention. The purpose and other advantages of the present invention will be realized and obtained through the structures particularly pointed out in the written description, its claims and the accompanying drawings.

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a patient interface device assembly for coupling a patient's eye to an ophthalmic surgical laser system, the patient interface device assembly comprising:

[0016] A lens barrel configured to be coupled to the ophthalmic surgical laser system, comprising a frustoconical housing; a suction ring comprising a clamp and an annular flexible skirt, the clamp defining a receiving opening configured to receive a portion of the lens barrel, the annular flexible skirt being engaged to the clamp and concentric with the receiving opening, wherein the flexible skirt is configured to be coupled to the patient's eye; and a cap having a lower portion and a plurality of longitudinal ribs, the lower portion having a cylindrical outer shape, the plurality of longitudinal ribs being formed on an outer surface of the lower portion and distributed along a circumference of the lower portion, wherein in a configuration provided to a user, the lens barrel is partially embedded inside the cap, and wherein the housing of the lens barrel comprises a plurality of first snap features on the exterior of the housing, and the cap comprises a plurality of second snap features on the interior of the cap, wherein the first snap features and the second snap features engage with each other to attach the lens barrel and the cap to each other in the provided configuration, and

[0017] The first snap feature and the second snap feature are configured to disengage from each other in response to a separation force to separate the lens barrel and the cap.

[0018] In some embodiments, the cap-like member further includes a plurality of inclined longitudinal ribs extending inward from an inner wall of the cap-like member within the interior of the cap-like member, wherein the frustoconical outer shell of the lens barrel further includes a corresponding plurality of longitudinally extending grooves along an outer surface of the lens barrel, and wherein in the provided configuration, the inclined longitudinal ribs of the cap-like member fit into the longitudinal grooves of the outer shell.

[0019] In some embodiments, the housing of the lens barrel further includes a plurality of bayonet fixing slots located near a top edge of the housing and exposed above a top edge of the cap when the lens barrel and the cap are in a provided configuration, wherein the plurality of bayonet fixing slots are configured to cooperate with a corresponding plurality of protruding pins on the ophthalmic surgical laser system.

[0020] On the other hand, the present invention provides a method for manually using the above-mentioned patient interface device assembly to couple the patient's eye to the ophthalmic surgical laser system, the method comprising: receiving the lens barrel and the cap in a delivery configuration, wherein the lens barrel is partially embedded in the inner side of the cap; installing the lens barrel on the ophthalmic surgical laser system, comprising: holding the cap with the lens barrel embedded therein, inserting the multiple protruding pins of the ophthalmic surgical laser system into the multiple bayonet fixing slots of the lens barrel, and twisting the cap to slide the bayonet fixing slots relative to the pins, thereby attaching the lens barrel to the ophthalmic surgical laser system; and pulling the cap to unfasten the cap from the lens barrel; coupling the suction ring to the patient's eye via the flexible skirt; and engaging the lens barrel and the suction ring with each other by inserting the portion of the lens barrel into the receiving opening of the suction ring.

[0021] In another aspect, the present invention provides a cap for use with a patient interface device to couple a patient's eye to an ophthalmic surgical laser system, wherein the patient interface device includes a lens barrel and a suction ring, the lens barrel having a frustoconical housing configured to be coupled to the ophthalmic surgical laser system, the suction ring configured to be coupled to the lens barrel and to the patient's eye, the cap including: a cylindrical upper portion; a cylindrical lower portion having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the upper portion; and a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed on the lower portion. on the outer surface of the lens barrel and distributed along the circumference of the lower part; wherein the lens barrel is partially embedded in the inner side of the cap-shaped member, and wherein the outer shell of the lens barrel includes a plurality of first snap features on the outer side of the outer shell, and the cap-shaped member includes a plurality of second snap features on the inner side of the cap-shaped member, wherein the first snap features and the second snap features engage with each other to attach the lens barrel and the cap-shaped member to each other, and wherein the first snap features and the second snap features are configured to disengage from each other in response to a separation force to separate the lens barrel and the cap-shaped member.

[0022] On the other hand, the present invention provides a cap-shaped member for use with a lens barrel of a patient interface device to couple a patient's eye to an ophthalmic surgical laser system, wherein the lens barrel has a truncated conical outer shell configured to be coupled to the ophthalmic surgical laser system, and the cap-shaped member includes: a cylindrical upper portion; a cylindrical lower portion, the outer diameter of the cylindrical lower portion being larger than the outer diameter of the upper portion; and a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed on the outer surface of the lower portion and distributed along the circumference of the lower portion; wherein the lens barrel is partially embedded in the inner side of the cap-shaped member, and wherein the outer shell of the lens barrel includes a plurality of first snap features on the outside of the outer shell, and the cap-shaped member includes a plurality of second snap features on the inside of the cap-shaped member, wherein the first snap features and the second snap features engage with each other to attach the lens barrel and the cap to each other, and wherein the first snap features and the second snap features are configured to disengage from each other in response to a separation force to separate the lens barrel and the cap-shaped member.

[0023] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of manually using the cap described above to mount the lens barrel on the ophthalmic surgical laser system and couple the patient's eye to the ophthalmic surgical laser system.

[0024] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 : is a perspective view showing a lens barrel and a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the lens barrel and the cap are shown separately.

[0026] Figure 2A and Figure 2B 1 and 2 are a side view and a side cross-sectional view, respectively, showing a lens barrel and a cap snapped together according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a patient interface device including a lens barrel and a suction ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the force applied to the cylindrical member when operated by hand. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention provide a patient interface device assembly that includes a cap that functions as a mounting aid.

[0030] like Figure 3As shown, the patient interface device 10 includes two separate components, namely a lens barrel 20 and a suction ring 30, the lens barrel having a lens 21, the suction ring including a holder 31 and an annular flexible skirt 32, which are preferably integrated as one piece. The lens barrel 20 is configured to be attached to a laser delivery head (not shown) of a laser system during surgery. The suction ring 30 is configured to be coupled to the patient's eye via the flexible skirt 32 by a vacuum force applied to a channel formed by the flexible skirt and the surface of the eye. The holder 31 of the suction ring is configured to receive the cylindrical base portion 22 of the lens barrel 20 in a receiving opening 36 of the suction ring, which is concentric with the flexible skirt 32, and to securely hold the lens barrel by a clamping force. Preferably, the lens 21 is located near the bottom end of the base portion of the lens barrel 20, and the lens contacts the eye when the suction ring 30 is coupled to the patient's eye and the lens barrel base portion 22 is inserted into the holder 31 and held by the holder.

[0031] The holder 31 is constructed like a clamp or a clothespin, formed by two lever handles 311, which have corresponding clamping jaws 313 at their distal ends. The two clamping jaws 313 face each other to define a substantially circular receiving opening 36 between them. The lever handle 311 including the clamping jaws is formed of a hard but slightly deformable material, such as a hard plastic, for example, polycarbonate. The lever handle 311 can be squeezed toward each other to open the two clamping jaws 313, so that the lens barrel base portion 22 can be inserted into the receiving opening 36, and then released to firmly hold the lens barrel.

[0032] The lens barrel 20 is formed by a generally frustoconical housing 23 made of a rigid material (e.g., metal or a hard plastic such as polycarbonate) having a cylindrical base portion 22 at the smaller end of the housing. In some embodiments, a piece of soft TPE material is provided as part of the outer surface of the base portion 22 to achieve a more secure fit between the lens barrel 20 and the holder 31.

[0033] The lens barrel 20 and the suction ring 30 of the patient interface are provided to the user (surgeon) as two separate pieces. To use the patient interface to couple the patient's eye to the ophthalmic laser system, the user mounts the lens barrel 20 on the laser delivery head of the ophthalmic laser system, attaches the suction ring 30 to the patient's eye via the flexible skirt 32, and engages the lens barrel and the suction ring with each other by inserting the lens barrel base portion 22 into the receiving opening 36 of the suction ring.

[0034] However, the lens barrel 20 may be difficult to operate by hand due to its shape. Figure 4As schematically shown in FIG. 1 , applying a holding force on the barrel-shaped object produces a net vertical force upward and can cause the barrel to pop out of the user's hand. The base portion 22 is small and not easy to handle. Therefore, it may be difficult to mount the lens barrel on the laser delivery head.

[0035] To address this and other issues, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a patient interface lens barrel is provided to the user, wherein a cylindrical cap has the lens barrel embedded therein. The cap has a cylindrical portion with ribs around its circumference, allowing the user to easily hold and install the lens barrel, which is particularly helpful for use situations where dexterity is limited due to use with gloves.

[0036] For the sake of clarity, Figure 1 (Perspective view) shows the lens barrel 20 and the cap 40 separated from each other. Figure 2A (side view) and Figure 2B (Side sectional view) shows a lens barrel and a cap-like member snapped together, wherein the lens barrel is partially disposed within the cap-like member. The lower end (smaller end) of the lens barrel is disposed on the inner side of the cap-like member, while the upper end (larger end) of the lens barrel is exposed to the outer side of the cap-like member, and the hollow interior of the lens barrel opens at the upper end. As shown in the figure, the cap-like member 40 has a generally cylindrical shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter of the lower portion (base) 41 is larger than the outer diameter of the upper portion 42, and a plurality of longitudinal ribs 43 are formed on the outer surface of the base 41 and distributed along the circumference of the base. The larger outer diameters of the base 41 and the ribs 43 help the user to easily grasp the cap-like member with his hands. As shown in the figure, the cap-like member 40 has a generally cylindrical shape. Figure 2B As shown, the lower portion 41 is located below the lower end of the lens barrel 20 represented by the lens 21 .

[0037] In some alternative embodiments, the entire cap may have the same outer diameter. In some alternative embodiments, the lower portion 41 having a larger diameter may be located at a longitudinal position overlapping the base portion 22 of the lens barrel 20 (i.e., the bottom of the lens barrel is located near the bottom of the cap). Figure 1 , Figure 2A and Figure 2B The construction shown, in which the upper portion 42 of the cap has a smaller diameter than the lower portion 41, can have the advantage of better visibility when mounting the lens barrel to the laser delivery head, because the smaller diameter of the upper portion 42 avoids unnecessarily blocking the view of relevant parts of the laser delivery head.

[0038] Inside the cap 40, a circular step feature 44 is provided and is sized to support the lens barrel 20 at a corresponding circular step feature 24 between the frustoconical housing 23 and the base portion 22. The frustoconical housing 23 also defines a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 25 along its outer surface. On the inside of the cap 40, a corresponding plurality of inclined longitudinal ribs 45 extending inwardly from the inner wall are provided, so that when the lens barrel 20 is disposed inside the cap 40 and the stepped features 24 of the lens barrel are seated on the stepped features 44 of the cap, the inclined longitudinal ribs 45 fit into the longitudinal grooves 25 of the housing 23. This configuration allows the lens barrel 20 to be seated inside the cap 40 and locked in a predetermined angular position relative to the cap, thereby allowing the user to rotate the lens barrel by rotating the cap during installation, as will be described below.

[0039] The lens barrel housing 23 has a plurality of (e.g., three) bayonet fixing features (slots) 26 that mate with a corresponding number of protruding pins on the laser delivery head. The bayonet fixing slots 26 are located near the top edge of the housing 23 and are exposed above the top edge of the cap 40 when the lens barrel is seated in the cap.

[0040] The lens barrel 20 also defines a plurality of (e.g., three) snap slots 27, and the inner wall of the cap 40 has a corresponding plurality of snap protrusions 46 extending inwardly. When the lens barrel is located inside the cap, the snap protrusions 46 of the cap fit (engage) in the snap slots 27 of the lens barrel, thereby forming a plurality of snaps that attach the lens barrel and the cap to each other. The cap is formed of a hard but slightly deformable material (such as hard plastic) so that the snap protrusions 46 can be pulled out (disengaged) from the snap slots 27 in response to a separation force, thereby disengaging the lens barrel and the cap from each other.

[0041] In use, the lens barrel and the cap are provided to the user as a snap-together assembly, wherein the suction ring 30 is provided as a separate component. The user manually picks up and holds the cap, for example, by the lower portion 41, and mounts the lens barrel to the laser delivery head. This involves placing the lens barrel against the laser delivery head so that the protruding pin on the laser delivery head is inserted into one end of the bayonet fixing slot 26, and then twisting the lens barrel by twisting the cap so that the pin on the laser delivery head slides into the slightly larger end of the bayonet fixing slot. The larger diameter of the lower portion 41 of the cap 40 can be used to provide greater leverage in this process. When the lens barrel is correctly mounted on the laser delivery head, the user can feel that the lens barrel is snapped into the appropriate position on the laser delivery head via the bayonet fixing, which proves that the lens barrel has been correctly installed. Then, the user removes the cap from the lens barrel by pulling the cap downward to unbutton the cap from the lens barrel at the snap-fit ​​position. In some embodiments, where the laser delivery head is a floating head, pulling the cap downward also helps ensure that the laser delivery head can "bottom out" and start at the lowest position of its z-axis travel.

[0042] The lens barrel is then joined to the suction ring in the manner described above.

[0043] In summary, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a user is provided with a lens barrel having an attached cylindrical cap used as a mounting aid that is removed after the lens barrel is mounted on a laser delivery head. This reduces the difficulty of mounting the lens barrel.

[0044] In this regard, it should be noted that the cap is not part of the patient interface that will ultimately interface with the laser system or the patient's eye. Preferably, the cap does not include a flexible skirt at its base, as does the suction ring 30, nor does it include any handles (other than ribs) extending from its periphery. The cap is removably connected to the lens barrel by a mechanical snap, rather than by suction.

[0045] In addition, the bayonet fixture between the lens barrel and the laser delivery head allows the user to twist the cap using tactile sensation as the primary indicator of proper attachment to the laser delivery head. This further reduces the difficulty of installation. For example, it reduces the need to bend over to find the attachment slot on the laser delivery head before sliding the lens barrel into place, which is not ergonomic. It also reduces the need to use line of sight verification to ensure alignment.

[0046] Although in the illustrated embodiment, the holder 31 and the flexible skirt 32 are integrated as a one-piece into the suction ring 30, in alternative embodiments, the holder and the flexible skirt may be separate pieces, thereby forming a three-piece patient interface device.

[0047] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the patient interface devices and assemblies of the present invention and the related methods of use without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A patient interface device assembly for coupling an eye of a patient to an ophthalmic surgical laser system, include: a lens barrel configured to be coupled to the ophthalmic surgical laser system, comprising a frustoconical housing; a suction ring comprising a holder defining a receiving opening configured to receive a portion of the lens barrel and an annular flexible skirt engaged to the holder and concentric with the receiving opening, wherein the flexible skirt is configured to couple to an eye of the patient; and a cap-shaped member having a lower portion having a cylindrical outer shape and a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed on an outer surface of the lower portion and distributed along a circumference of the lower portion, In the configuration provided to the user, the lens barrel is partially embedded inside the cap-shaped member, and The housing of the lens barrel includes a plurality of first snap features on the exterior of the housing, and the cap includes a plurality of second snap features on the interior of the cap, wherein the first snap features and the second snap features engage with each other to attach the lens barrel and the cap to each other in the provided configuration, and wherein the first snap features and the second snap features are configured to disengage from each other in response to a separation force to separate the lens barrel and the cap.

2. The patient interface device assembly of claim 1, in, An upper portion of the truncated conical housing having a maximum diameter is exposed outside the cap-shaped member, and a lower portion of the housing is disposed inside the cap-shaped member.

3. The patient interface device assembly of claim 1, in, The cap also includes an upper portion having a cylindrical shape, and an outer diameter of the upper portion is smaller than an outer diameter of the lower portion.

4. The patient interface device assembly of claim 1, in, The cap also includes a circular stepped feature on the interior of the cap, wherein the lens barrel further comprises a circular stepped feature at the smaller end of the frustoconical housing, and Wherein, in the provided configuration, the stepped feature portion of the lens barrel is placed on the stepped feature portion of the cap-shaped member.

5. The patient interface device assembly of claim 4, in, The cap-shaped member further comprises a plurality of inclined longitudinal ribs extending inwardly from an inner wall of the cap-shaped member inside the cap-shaped member, Wherein, the truncated conical housing of the lens barrel further comprises a corresponding plurality of longitudinally extending grooves along the outer surface of the lens barrel, and Therein, in the provided configuration, the inclined longitudinal rib of the cap-shaped member is adapted to be fitted in the longitudinal groove of the housing.

6. The patient interface device assembly of claim 1, in, The first plurality of snap features are a plurality of slots on the housing, and the second plurality of snap features are a plurality of protrusions extending inwardly from an inner wall of the cap.

7. The patient interface device assembly of claim 1, in, The housing of the lens barrel also includes a plurality of bayonet fixing slots, which are located near the top edge of the housing and exposed above the top edge of the cap when the lens barrel and the cap are in the provided configuration, wherein the plurality of bayonet fixing slots are configured to cooperate with a corresponding plurality of protruding pins on the ophthalmic surgical laser system.

8. A method of manually using the patient interface device assembly of claim 7 to couple the patient's eye to the ophthalmic surgical laser system, include: receiving the lens barrel and the cap in the delivery configuration, wherein the lens barrel is partially embedded inside the cap; Mounting the lens barrel on the ophthalmic laser system comprises: retaining the cap with the lens barrel embedded therein, inserting the plurality of protruding pins of the ophthalmic surgical laser system into the plurality of bayonet fixing slots of the lens barrel, and twisting the cap to slide the bayonet fixing slots relative to the pins, thereby attaching the lens barrel to the ophthalmic surgical laser system; and Pulling the cap to unfasten the cap from the lens barrel; coupling the suction ring to the patient's eye via the flexible skirt; and The lens barrel and the suction ring are engaged with each other by inserting the portion of the lens barrel into the receiving opening of the suction ring.

9. A cap for use with a patient interface device to couple a patient's eye to an ophthalmic surgical laser system, wherein the patient interface device comprises a lens barrel having a frustoconical housing configured to couple to the ophthalmic surgical laser system, and a suction ring configured to couple to the lens barrel and to the patient's eye, the cap include: Cylindrical upper part; a cylindrical lower portion, wherein the outer diameter of the cylindrical lower portion is larger than the outer diameter of the upper portion; and a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed on an outer surface of the lower portion and distributed along a circumference of the lower portion; wherein the lens barrel is partially embedded inside the cap-shaped member, and The housing of the lens barrel includes a plurality of first snap features on the exterior of the housing, and the cap includes a plurality of second snap features on the interior of the cap, wherein the first snap features and the second snap features engage with each other to attach the lens barrel and the cap to each other, and wherein the first snap features and the second snap features are configured to disengage from each other in response to a separation force to separate the lens barrel and the cap.

10. The cap of claim 9 further comprising a rounded stepped feature in the interior of the cap, wherein the lens barrel further comprises a circular stepped feature at the smaller end of the frustoconical housing, and wherein the stepped feature of the lens barrel is disposed on the stepped feature of the cap.

11. The cap-like member according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of inclined longitudinal ribs extending inwardly from an inner wall of the cap-like member in the inner portion, wherein the frustoconical housing of the lens barrel further comprises a corresponding plurality of longitudinally extending grooves along an outer surface of the lens barrel, and The inclined longitudinal rib of the cap-shaped member is adapted to fit in the longitudinal groove of the housing.

12. The cap-shaped member according to claim 9, in, The first plurality of snap features are a plurality of slots on the housing, and the second plurality of snap features are a plurality of protrusions extending inwardly from an inner wall of the cap.

13. The cap-shaped member according to claim 9, in, The housing of the lens barrel also includes a plurality of bayonet fixing slots, which are located near the top edge of the housing and exposed above the top edge of the cap-like member, wherein the plurality of bayonet fixing slots are configured to cooperate with a corresponding plurality of protruding pins on the ophthalmic surgical laser system.

14. A method of manually using the cap of claim 13 with the patient interface device to couple the patient's eye to the ophthalmic surgical laser system, include: Mounting the lens barrel on the ophthalmic laser system comprises: retaining the cap with the lens barrel embedded therein, inserting the plurality of protruding pins of the ophthalmic surgical laser system into the plurality of bayonet fixing slots of the lens barrel, and twisting the cap to slide the bayonet fixing slots relative to the pins, thereby attaching the lens barrel to the ophthalmic surgical laser system; and Pulling the cap to unfasten the cap from the lens barrel; coupling the suction ring to the patient's eye via the flexible skirt; and The lens barrel and the suction ring are engaged with each other by inserting a portion of the lens barrel into the receiving opening of the suction ring.

15. A cap for use with a lens barrel of a patient interface device to couple a patient's eye to an ophthalmic surgical laser system, wherein the lens barrel has a frustoconical housing configured to couple to the ophthalmic surgical laser system, the cap include: Cylindrical upper part; a cylindrical lower portion, wherein the outer diameter of the cylindrical lower portion is larger than the outer diameter of the upper portion; and a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed on an outer surface of the lower portion and distributed along a circumference of the lower portion; wherein the lens barrel is partially embedded inside the cap-shaped member, and The housing of the lens barrel includes a plurality of first snap features on the exterior of the housing, and the cap includes a plurality of second snap features on the interior of the cap, wherein the first snap features and the second snap features engage with each other to attach the lens barrel and the cap to each other, and wherein the first snap features and the second snap features are configured to disengage from each other in response to a separation force to separate the lens barrel and the cap.

16. The cap of claim 15, further comprising a rounded stepped feature in the interior of the cap, wherein the lens barrel further comprises a circular stepped feature at the smaller end of the frustoconical housing, and wherein the stepped feature of the lens barrel is disposed on the stepped feature of the cap.

17. The cap-like member according to claim 16, further comprising a plurality of inclined longitudinal ribs extending inwardly from an inner wall of the cap-like member in the inner portion, wherein the frustoconical housing of the lens barrel further comprises a corresponding plurality of longitudinally extending grooves along an outer surface of the lens barrel, and The inclined longitudinal rib of the cap-shaped member is adapted to fit in the longitudinal groove of the housing.

18. The cap-like member according to claim 15, in, The first plurality of snap features are a plurality of slots on the housing, and the second plurality of snap features are a plurality of protrusions extending inwardly from an inner wall of the cap.

19. The cap-like member according to claim 15, in, The housing of the lens barrel also includes a plurality of bayonet fixing slots, which are located near the top edge of the housing and exposed above the top edge of the cap-like member, wherein the plurality of bayonet fixing slots are configured to cooperate with a corresponding plurality of protruding pins on the ophthalmic surgical laser system.

20. A method of manually using the cap of claim 19 to mount the lens barrel on the ophthalmic surgical laser system, the method include: holding the cap-shaped member in which the lens barrel is embedded; inserting the plurality of protruding pins of the ophthalmic surgical laser system into the plurality of bayonet-securing slots of the lens barrel; twisting the cap to slide the bayonet-securing slot relative to the pin, thereby attaching the lens barrel to the ophthalmic surgical laser system; and Pull the cap to unfasten the cap from the lens barrel.

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