Blink control and palpebral fissure maintaining device applicable to OCT (optical coherence tomography) examination process

Abstract

A blink control and palpebral fissure maintaining device suitable for the OCT examination process comprises an installation supporting base and a three-way fine adjustment positioning part arranged at the bottom of the installation supporting base, an upper eyelid supporting assembly and a lower eyelid supporting assembly are located on the outer sides of eyelids respectively, and the upper eyelid supporting assembly conducts reciprocating displacement relative to the lower eyelid supporting assembly through a micro linear actuator; the three-way fine adjustment positioning part is detachably clamped and fixed on the inspection position bearing part through a C-shaped clamping seat and a clamping piece; elastic components are connected in series on stress paths of the upper and lower eyelid supporting components, and a partitioned pressure sensing array is arranged in a skin contact part of the elastic components; an infrared blink detection unit is arranged on the upper side of the lower eyelid supporting assembly and used for detecting the blink state. A transparent windproof cover is arranged on the front side of the installation supporting base, and a micro-humidification module can be installed on the inner side of the installation supporting base. The problems that in OCT examination, eyelids of a patient are difficult to stably keep open, and imaging quality is affected due to blinking or uneven stress are effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical devices, specifically relating to a blink control and palpebral fissure maintenance device suitable for OCT examination. Background Technology

[0002] During ophthalmic imaging examinations such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), patients need to maintain a stable posture and keep their eyes open as much as possible in front of the equipment to obtain clear tomographic images. However, in current clinical examinations, patients often interrupt the examination due to tension, frequent blinking reflexes, or ptosis, resulting in blurred imaging results or loss of tomographic data. This not only prolongs the examination time but also increases the burden on both doctors and patients. To alleviate these problems, manual assistance in separating the eyelids or the use of simple eyelid-opening instruments are usually relied upon. However, these methods lack precise adjustment techniques and can easily cause discomfort to the patient or even induce corneal damage.

[0003] Furthermore, existing devices also have shortcomings in positioning and fixation. Most common support or fixation methods rely on unidirectional mechanical support, lacking multi-dimensional fine-tuning structures, making it difficult to precisely match the device with the patient's eye position during examination, affecting the accuracy of image acquisition. Regarding pressure distribution monitoring, traditional structures fail to achieve real-time zonal detection of eyelid contact pressure, posing risks of excessive local pressure and uneven force distribution, thus affecting patient tolerance and examination results. In blink detection, existing procedures often rely on manual observation, lacking sensor-based automated monitoring, which can easily lead to delays or misjudgments, causing interruptions or image interference during OCT scanning. Simultaneously, the examined eye is prone to dry eye or corneal dryness when exposed to the air environment, and conventional methods lack effective local humidification and protective measures, failing to maintain optical imaging conditions while ensuring ocular surface comfort and safety.

[0004] In summary, existing technologies generally suffer from problems such as inflexible positioning and adjustment, insufficient pressure monitoring, unreliable blink control, and inadequate ocular surface protection, making it difficult to meet the comprehensive requirements of OCT examination for stability, comfort, and imaging quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a blink control and palpebral fissure maintenance device suitable for OCT examinations. It effectively solves the problems of difficulty in keeping the patient's eyelids stably open and the impact on image quality caused by blinking or uneven force during existing examinations.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems is as follows: A blinking control and palpebral fissure maintaining device applicable to the OCT examination process, comprising: a mounting support base for being fixed at the OCT examination position and a three-way fine adjustment positioning part arranged at the bottom of the mounting support base for adjusting the up-and-down, left-and-right, front-and-back movement of the mounting support base; an upper eyelid support component and a lower eyelid support component arranged on the outer sides of the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid of the subject, and the upper eyelid support component makes a reciprocating displacement relative to the lower eyelid support component through a micro linear actuator; the three-way fine adjustment positioning part is detachably clamped on the bearing part at the OCT examination position through a U-shaped clamping seat and a clamping piece; An elastic component is connected in series on the force application paths of the upper eyelid support component and the lower eyelid support component, and a partition pressure sensing array is arranged in the skin contact parts of the upper eyelid support component and the lower eyelid support component; an infrared blinking detection unit arranged facing the upper eyelid margin area is further arranged on the upper side of the lower eyelid support component for detecting the blinking state; and a transparent windproof cover for covering the area of the examined eye is arranged on the front side of the mounting support base, and a micro humidification module can be installed on the inner side of the transparent windproof cover.

[0007] Preferably, the three-way fine adjustment positioning part comprises: a fixed seat fixed at the bottom of the mounting support base, the fixed seat is rotatably connected with a front-and-back screw rod, the front-and-back screw rod is coaxially and fixedly connected with a front-and-back rotating wheel, the front-and-back screw rod is threadedly connected with a front-and-back screw block, and the front-and-back screw block is slidably connected with the fixed seat; the bottom of the front-and-back screw block is fixedly connected with a left-and-right seat, the left-and-right seat is rotatably connected with a left-and-right screw rod, the left-and-right screw rod is coaxially and fixedly connected with a left-and-right rotating wheel, the left-and-right screw rod is threadedly connected with a left-and-right screw block, and the left-and-right screw block is slidably connected with the left-and-right seat; the bottom of the left-and-right screw block is fixedly connected with a lifting sliding sleeve, the bottom of the lifting sliding sleeve is slidably connected with a lifting sliding block, and the lifting sliding block is fixedly connected with the U-shaped clamping seat; a locking screw for fixing the lifting sliding block is also internally threadedly connected to the outer side of the lifting sliding sleeve.

[0008] Preferably, the U-shaped clamping seat is in a "U" shape structure, the U-shaped clamping seat is threadedly connected with a control screw rod, the control screw rod is fixedly connected with the clamping piece, and a rotating wheel is fixed on the control screw rod.

[0009] Preferably, the micro linear actuator comprises a vertical seat fixed on the mounting support base, the vertical seat is rotatably connected with a vertical screw rod, a lead screw motor and an encoder are fixedly connected to the bottom of the vertical screw rod, and the vertical screw rod is threadedly connected with a vertical screw block; a first fixed extension rod is fixed on the vertical seat, a second fixed extension rod is also fixed on the vertical screw block, elastic components are respectively fixedly connected to the first fixed extension rod and the second fixed extension rod, and the elastic components are respectively connected with the upper eyelid support component and the lower eyelid support component.

[0010] Preferably, the elastic member is an arc-shaped spring or an equivalent leaf spring structure, made of medical stainless steel or nickel-titanium alloy, and has a pre-bent shape with a thickness of 0.2 to 0.5 mm and an arc radius of 10 to 20 mm. The two ends of the elastic member are respectively fixed between the fixed extension rod and the upper eyelid support assembly or the lower eyelid support assembly, and are used to generate rebound deformation when the outer eyelid is subjected to pressure exceeding 2.0 N.

[0011] Preferably, the partitioned pressure sensing array adopts a thin-film resistive pressure sensor array, model FSR402 or equivalent medical-grade pressure sensing unit, array form is 3×3 or 4×2 matrix, thickness is not greater than 0.5 mm, the partitioned pressure sensing array is embedded in the skin-friendly soft pad of the upper eyelid support component and the lower eyelid support component through a flexible circuit board, the contact area covers the eyelid margin contact surface, used to monitor the eyelid contact pressure distribution in real time and feed it back to the control system to achieve pressure equalization adjustment.

[0012] Preferably, the infrared blink detection unit is a reflective infrared photoelectric sensor, model TCRT5000 or equivalent medical-grade sensor, installed on the front side of the fixing base and opposite to the upper edge of the lower eyelid support component. The sensor optical axis is arranged at an elevation angle of 10° to 15° relative to the eyelash area, with a working wavelength range of 850 to 950 nm and a sampling frequency of not less than 100 Hz, used to monitor changes in palpebral fissure height in real time and determine blinking actions.

[0013] Preferably, a fixed sleeve rod is fixed to the front side of the stand, and an adjusting inner rod is slidably connected inside the fixed sleeve rod. The front end of the adjusting inner rod is fixedly connected to the transparent windproof cover to realize the front and rear extension adjustment of the transparent windproof cover. An atomizing tube is fixedly connected to the end of the fixed sleeve rod. One end of the atomizing tube extends out of the fixed sleeve rod for connecting an external atomizer, and the other end of the atomizing tube passes through the fixed sleeve rod and extends to the inside of the transparent windproof cover. An atomizing nozzle is provided at the end of the atomizing tube. The atomizing nozzle serves as the micro-humidification module and is used to form a constant temperature and humidity atomized microenvironment inside the transparent windproof cover.

[0014] Preferably, the skin contact surfaces of the upper eyelid support assembly and the lower eyelid support assembly are horizontally arc-shaped wing plate structures with a length of 20-35 mm, a width of 10-20 mm, and a contact pad thickness of 2-4 mm, so as to fit the outer edge of the eyelid and improve wearing comfort.

[0015] Preferably, the contact portions of the upper and lower eyelid support components with the eyelids are made of medical-grade silicone or thermoplastic elastomer, and the surfaces are covered with an ultra-flexible, skin-friendly coating with a thickness of 0.5–1.0 mm and a hardness range of Shore A 20–40, to ensure a gentle fit to the patient's eyelids during support; the non-contact portions of the support components are made of lightweight medical-grade polycarbonate or polyetheretherketone.

[0016] This invention features a novel structure, ingenious design, and simple and convenient operation, offering the following advantages compared to existing technologies: 1. This device utilizes a combination structure of a three-way fine-tuning positioning unit and a U-shaped clamping base, allowing the mounting support to be precisely adjusted in multiple directions (up / down, left / right, and front / back) to ensure accurate matching between the device and the OCT examination position. Compared to traditional support devices that rely on a single fixing method, this design effectively adapts to differences in eye positions among patients, improves the consistency between the device and the optical path used in eye examinations, reduces imaging deviation, and enhances the clarity and stability of examination results.

[0017] 2. This device incorporates elastic components in series along the force paths of the upper and lower eyelid support components, and embeds a zoned pressure sensor array at the contact points with the eyelids. This allows for real-time monitoring of the force distribution on the eyelids and provides rebound cushioning when pressure exceeds a set threshold, preventing excessive localized pressure. This structure significantly improves wearing comfort and safety while ensuring the eyelids remain open, reducing the risk of corneal or eyelid tissue damage, making it particularly suitable for prolonged scanning examinations.

[0018] 3. This device features a transparent windproof cover on the front of the mounting support, with a micro-humidification module inside. Combined with an infrared blink detection unit for real-time monitoring of palpebral fissure changes, it provides a stable local temperature and humidity environment, alleviating dryness and discomfort in the examined eye. It also provides timely feedback when the patient shows a tendency to blink, preventing interruptions during the examination. This combined structure ensures the stability of the ocular environment and the continuity of the imaging process during examination, balancing protection and imaging conditions, and improving the overall examination experience. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is the first isometric view of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is the second isometric view of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is an isometric view of the three-way fine-tuning positioning part of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is an isometric view of the miniature linear actuator of the present invention.

[0023] In the attached diagram: 1-Mounting support base, 2-Three-way micro-adjustment positioning part, 3-C-shaped clamping base, 4-Clamping piece, 5-Miniature linear actuator, 6-Upper eyelid support assembly, 7-Lower eyelid support assembly, 8-Elastic component, 9-Zoned pressure sensor array, 10-Infrared blink detection unit, 11-Transparent windproof cover, 12-Micro-humidification module, 13-Fixed base, 14-Front and rear screws, 15-Front and rear wheels, 16-Front and rear screw blocks, 17-Left and right seats, 18-Left and right screws, 19-Left and right screw blocks, 20-Left and right wheels, 21-Lifting slide sleeve, 22-Lifting slider, 23-Standing base, 24-Vertical screw, 25-Screw motor, 26-Vertical screw block, 27-Fixed extension rod, 28-Fixed sleeve rod, 29-Adjusting inner rod, 30-Atomizing tube. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention, and the technical solutions of the present invention will be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0025] like Figure 1-4 As shown, this invention provides a blink control and palpebral fissure maintenance device suitable for OCT examinations. The device comprises a mounting support 1, a three-way fine-tuning positioning unit 2, a C-shaped clamping base 3 and clamping plate 4, a miniature linear actuator 5, an upper eyelid support assembly 6, a lower eyelid support assembly 7, an elastic component 8, a zoned pressure sensor array 9, an infrared blink detection unit 10, a transparent windproof cover 11, and a micro-humidification module 12 disposed inside the transparent windproof cover 11. The core idea of ​​the overall structural design is to ensure precise matching between the device and the OCT examination position through a multi-degree-of-freedom fine-tuning support mechanism, to ensure the stability and comfort of the eyelid opening state through flexible support and pressure detection, and to improve imaging stability and patient compliance during the examination process by combining blink detection and humidification protection measures.

[0026] The mounting support 1 serves as the load-bearing base for the entire device and is preferably made of medical-grade aluminum alloy or polyetheretherketone (PEEK), possessing high strength and lightweight characteristics. The bottom of the mounting support 1 is equipped with a three-way fine-tuning positioning part 2. This component is used to achieve precise positioning in the up-down, left-right, and front-back directions, avoiding inconsistencies in the optical path center caused by differences in patient eye position or device placement deviations during OCT examinations. The three-way fine-tuning positioning part 2 includes a fixed base 13, front and rear screws 14, front and rear rotating wheels 15, front and rear screw blocks 16, left and right seats 17, left and right screws 18, left and right screw blocks 19, left and right rotating wheels 20, lifting sleeves 21, and lifting sliders 22. The front and rear screws 14 have a diameter of 6 mm and a pitch of 1.0 mm. Through threaded engagement with the front and rear screw blocks 16, they achieve fine-tuning in the front-back direction in the 0.1 mm range. Rotation is driven by the front and rear rotating wheels 15, which preferably have a diameter of 30 mm for easy manual operation. The left and right screws 18 are both 6 mm in diameter with a pitch of 1.0 mm. They cooperate with the left and right screw blocks 19 to achieve left and right adjustment. The drive method is the coaxial connection of the left and right rotating wheels 20. The lifting direction is achieved by the cooperation of the lifting sleeve 21 and the lifting slider 22. The lifting stroke is not less than 15 mm, ensuring that it can be adapted to patients with different facial heights. To ensure stability after positioning, the outer wall of the lifting sleeve 21 is equipped with a locking screw, which can lock the lifting slider 22 in the set position by tightening to prevent displacement during examination. Through the combination of the three-way micro-adjustment positioning part 2 and the C-shaped clamp 3, the entire device can be reliably installed on the support platform of the OCT examination position, realizing quick assembly and disassembly and high-precision positioning.

[0027] The C-shaped clamping base 3 adopts a "C"-shaped structure design with a lateral opening facing forward, facilitating side clamping onto the edge of the OCT inspection table. The clamping plate 4 engages with the C-shaped clamping base 3 via a threaded control screw. The control screw has a diameter of approximately 5mm and a fixed wheel at its end for manual tightening. By rotating the control screw, the clamping plate 4 can be moved back and forth, thereby achieving the clamping and releasing of the OCT inspection position's support, ensuring reliable fixation and easy disassembly of the device.

[0028] The upper eyelid support assembly 6 and the lower eyelid support assembly 7 are respectively installed on the outer edges of the patient's upper and lower eyelids to maintain stable eyelid opening. Both are driven by a miniature linear actuator 5, allowing the upper eyelid support assembly 6 to reciprocate relative to the lower eyelid support assembly 7. The miniature linear actuator 5 includes a base 23, a vertical screw 24, a lead screw motor 25, a vertical screw block 26, and a fixed extension rod 27. The lead screw motor 25 is a medical miniature stepper motor with a rated voltage of 12 V, driving the vertical screw 24 to rotate. The pitch is set to 0.8 mm, achieving a minimum displacement resolution of 0.05 mm. The vertical screw 24 cooperates with the vertical screw block 26 to convert the rotational motion of the motor into the linear displacement of the vertical screw block 26. The vertical screw block 26 is connected to the fixed extension rod 27, which is then connected to the elastic member 8 and the support assembly to achieve drive transmission. To ensure precise control, an encoder is also coaxially mounted on the lower end of the vertical screw 24, which can provide real-time feedback of displacement signals to the control system.

[0029] An elastic member 8 is provided between the upper eyelid support component 6 and the lower eyelid support component 7. Preferably, it is a bow-shaped spring with a thickness of 0.3 mm and a radius of curvature of 15 mm, made of medical-grade nickel-titanium alloy, which has excellent superelasticity and fatigue resistance. When the external force exceeds 2.0 N, the elastic member 8 undergoes rebound deformation, thereby preventing excessive pressure on the eyelid and effectively improving patient safety and comfort. The portion in contact with the support components is embedded with a zoned pressure sensor array 9. This sensor array uses a thin-film resistive pressure sensor (model FSR402) with a thickness of less than 0.5 mm, arranged in a 3×3 or 4×2 matrix, and has a detection sensitivity of 0.05 N / cm². Through array feedback, the force distribution in different areas of the eyelid can be obtained in real time. The control system can automatically adjust the thrust of the miniature linear actuator based on this to achieve uniform force distribution and avoid localized pressure.

[0030] The infrared blink detection unit 10 is positioned above the lower eyelid support assembly 7 and employs a TCRT5000 reflective infrared photoelectric sensor with a working wavelength of 850–950 nm and a sampling frequency of no less than 100 Hz. This sensor identifies blinking movements by detecting changes in the height of the upper eyelid and can output signals within milliseconds. This helps to determine whether a patient is blinking during OCT scanning, thereby reducing image blurring or data loss caused by blink interruptions.

[0031] A transparent windproof shield 11 is installed on the front side of the mounting support 1. The shield body is made of medical-grade polycarbonate injection molding, with a thickness of 2 mm. The front end has an arc-shaped opening structure, which can cover the patient's eyes to form a local shielding space. A micro-humidification module 12 is set inside the transparent windproof shield 11. This module is installed through a fixing sleeve 28, an adjusting inner rod 29, and an atomizing tube 30. The front end of the atomizing tube 30 is equipped with a nozzle. After connecting to an external atomizer, it can continuously release atomized water mist with a particle size of less than 5 μm inside the shield, maintaining the local air humidity in the range of 50% to 70% and keeping the temperature close to body temperature, thereby effectively relieving dryness and discomfort caused by exposure of the ocular surface.

[0032] The overall working principle of this device is as follows: the three-way micro-adjustment positioning unit 2 precisely adjusts the device position to ensure it is aligned with the optical path of the OCT examination position; the upper eyelid support assembly 6 and the lower eyelid support assembly 7 are separated and kept open by the drive of the miniature linear actuator 5; the elastic component 8 provides buffer protection; the partitioned pressure sensor array 9 monitors the force distribution and provides feedback control; the infrared blink detection unit 10 captures blinking movements in real time to assist in determining the timing of imaging; the transparent windproof cover 11 and the micro-humidification module 12 work together to ensure that the eye is in a comfortable environment with constant temperature and humidity during the examination. Through the synergistic effect of the above structures, this invention effectively solves the problems of unstable eyelid opening, uneven force, and dry eye discomfort during existing examinations, ensuring the continuity and clarity of the OCT imaging process.

[0033] like Figure 2-4 As shown, the structural design of the three-way fine-tuning positioning part 2, the C-shaped clamping seat 3, and the miniature linear actuator 5 of the present invention is the core part of the entire device to achieve precise positioning, stable clamping, and drive transmission. First, the three-way fine-tuning positioning part 2 is set at the bottom of the mounting support 1. Its function is to provide the entire device with fine adjustment capabilities in three directions: up and down, left and right, and front and back, thereby ensuring that the device can accurately adapt to the eye positions of different patients. The three-way fine-tuning positioning part 2 is based on the fixed seat 13 as the basic frame. The fixed seat 13 is preferably made of CNC precision-machined aluminum alloy material (6061-T6), with a thickness of not less than 8 mm, to ensure load-bearing rigidity and stability. The fixed seat 13 is provided with bearing holes that match the front and rear screws 14. The front and rear screws 14 achieve low-friction rotation through deep groove ball bearings. The diameter of the front and rear screws 14 is 6 mm, the pitch is 1.0 mm, and the surface is nickel-plated chemically treated to improve wear resistance. The front and rear rotating wheels 15 are coaxially fixed at one end of the screws. The diameter of the rotating wheels is 32 mm, which is convenient for manual operation. By rotating the front and rear rotating wheels 15, the front and rear screws 14 drive the front and rear screw blocks 16, which mesh with their threads, to move precisely in the horizontal direction. Each rotation can achieve a displacement of 1.0 mm, and the minimum adjustment resolution reaches 0.1 mm, thereby ensuring that the optical axis of the device is highly consistent with the OCT scanning optical path during optical inspection.

[0034] The front and rear screw blocks 16 are rectangular block structures, preferably made of polyoxymethylene (POM) engineering plastic, which has self-lubricating properties and can reduce friction and wear during thread engagement. The bottom of the front and rear screw blocks 16 is fixedly connected to the left and right seats 17 by screws. The left and right seats 17 have a U-shaped structure, and their inner holes are equipped with rolling bearings to accommodate the rotation of the left and right screws 18. The left and right screws 18 also have a diameter of 6mm, a pitch of 1.0mm, and a length of not less than 60mm to ensure sufficient adjustment stroke. The left and right screws 18 and the left and right screw blocks 19 form a threaded pair. The left and right screw blocks 19 are made of POM injection molding and structurally slide with the left and right seats 17 through sliding grooves, ensuring that they only move laterally and do not rotate during drive. The other end of the left and right screws 18 is fixed with left and right rotating wheels 20, with a diameter of 30mm, which are easy to rotate. By rotating the left and right rotating wheels 20, adjustments in the left and right directions in increments of 0.1mm can be achieved, thereby further correcting lateral deviations in the patient's eye position.

[0035] The bottom of the left and right screw blocks 19 is fixedly connected to a lifting sleeve 21. The lifting sleeve 21 is a cylindrical sleeve structure with an inner diameter of 8 mm and an outer diameter of 12 mm, and is made of hard anodized aluminum alloy. The inner wall of the lifting sleeve 21 mates with the lifting slider 22, which is a rectangular insert structure that slides vertically through a rectangular groove. The lower end of the lifting slider 22 is fixedly connected to the C-shaped clamping seat 3 by screws, ensuring the linkage between the entire three-way fine-tuning positioning part 2 and the clamping mechanism. An M4 threaded hole is provided on the outer wall of the lifting sleeve 21, and a locking screw is screwed in. By tightening the screw, the lifting slider 22 can be pressed, which plays a limiting and fixing role and prevents loosening after positioning. Through the linkage adjustment in the three directions of front-back, left-right and lifting, the three-way fine-tuning positioning part 2 can ensure the optimal optical position of the device on the OCT inspection table, solving the problem of single positioning and difficulty in fine-tuning in the prior art.

[0036] The C-shaped clamping base 3 is a typical "C"-shaped structure, integrally formed from aluminum alloy with a thickness of 6 mm. It has an open clamping cavity on the inner side for clamping the support portion of the OCT examination table. The C-shaped clamping base 3 has a threaded hole into which a control screw is screwed. The control screw has a diameter of 5 mm and a pitch of 0.8 mm. One end is connected to a clamping plate 4, which is a stainless steel sheet covered with a medical-grade silicone pad to ensure that the surface of the OCT support portion is not scratched during clamping. A 25 mm diameter rotating wheel is fixed to the other end of the control screw for easy manual tightening. By rotating the control screw, the clamping plate 4 is pressed or released horizontally, ultimately achieving rapid clamping and disassembly. Compared to existing fixing methods, this structure is not only simple to operate but also provides controllable clamping force, ensuring the stability of the device during examination.

[0037] The structural design of the miniature linear actuator 5 directly affects the driving effect of the eyelid support components 6 and 7. The stand 23 serves as the fixing base for the entire actuator and is preferably CNC machined from 10 mm thick medical-grade polycarbonate sheet to ensure sufficient rigidity. The vertical screw 24 has a diameter of 5 mm, a pitch of 0.8 mm, and a length of not less than 60 mm. Its lower end is coaxially connected to a lead screw motor 25, which is a 12 V stepper motor with a rated output torque of 0.35 N·m and a maximum resolution of 0.05 mm / step. An encoder, model E6B2-CWZ6C, is coaxially mounted on the shaft end of the lead screw motor 25, achieving a resolution of 600 pulses / revolution, enabling precise feedback of the vertical screw 24's rotation to the control system. The vertical screw 24 is threadedly engaged with a vertical screw block 26, which moves linearly up and down under the rotational drive of the vertical screw 24.

[0038] A second fixed extension rod 27 is fixed on the vertical screw block 26, and a first fixed extension rod 27 is provided on the stand 23. The two extension rods 27 are respectively connected to the elastic component 8. The elastic component 8 is made of medical nickel-titanium alloy arc-shaped spring with a thickness of 0.3 mm and an arc radius of 15 mm. It can undergo reversible deformation and return to its original shape under external force. The function of the elastic component 8 is that when the micro linear actuator 5 drives the upper eyelid support assembly 6 and the lower eyelid support assembly 7 to open, if the eyelid is subjected to pressure exceeding 2.0 N, the elastic component 8 can automatically buffer and rebound to prevent excessive pressure on the eyelid tissue. Through this design, the support force is guaranteed, while avoiding the damage risk of traditional rigid mechanisms.

[0039] The upper eyelid support assembly 6 and the lower eyelid support assembly 7 are connected to the extension rod 27 via elastic members 8. Their contact surfaces are designed as horizontally curved wing-plate structures, approximately 25 mm long, 15 mm wide, and 3 mm thick. The wing-plate surface is covered with a 2 mm thick medical-grade silicone pad with a Shore A30 hardness, ensuring a soft touch when adhering to the outer edge of the eyelid and preventing pressure marks. The pad contains an embedded partitioned pressure sensor array 9. The sensors are FSR402 thin-film resistive sensors, less than 0.5 mm thick, arranged in a 3×3 matrix, with a detection sensitivity of 0.05 N / cm², providing real-time feedback on eyelid pressure.

[0040] Overall, the three-way fine-tuning positioning unit 2, the C-shaped clamping seat 3, and the miniature linear actuator 5 form a complete structural link from macroscopic positioning to microscopic actuation. The three-way fine-tuning positioning unit 2 ensures that the overall position of the device matches the optical path, the C-shaped clamping seat 3 achieves stable clamping with the OCT examination table, and the miniature linear actuator 5 achieves stable separation of the upper and lower eyelids through precise transmission and buffer protection. The synergistic effect of the above structures effectively solves the problems of inflexible positioning, unreliable clamping, and lack of buffering in actuation in traditional devices, providing patients with a safe and comfortable examination experience.

[0041] like Figure 3-4 As shown, the elastic member 8, the partitioned pressure sensing array 9, and the infrared blink detection unit 10 in this invention constitute the core functional modules for realizing eyelid force buffering, pressure distribution monitoring, and blink action recognition. The three work together to ensure that the eyelids are reliably opened during OCT examination, while avoiding the impact of local pressure and sudden blinks on imaging quality.

[0042] First, the elastic component 8 adopts an arc-shaped spring or an equivalent leaf spring structure, preferably made of medical-grade stainless steel (such as 316L) or nickel-titanium alloy (Ni-Ti). 316L medical-grade stainless steel has good corrosion resistance and formability, while nickel-titanium alloy, due to its superelasticity and shape memory properties, is more suitable for providing flexible support to eyelid tissue. The thickness of the elastic component 8 ranges from 0.2 to 0.5 mm, and the radius of curvature is 10 to 20 mm. After precision CNC cutting and surface polishing, the radius of the rounded corners is controlled to be above 0.2 mm to avoid sharp edges contacting the skin and causing damage. The elastic component 8 maintains a pre-bent shape when not under stress. When the upper eyelid support component 6 and the lower eyelid support component 7 apply external force to the outer edge of the eyelid, if the local force exceeds 2.0 N, the elastic component will undergo reversible deformation and automatically rebound, thus providing a buffering and protective function. This design allows for the absorption and dispersion of momentary fluctuations in support force even when driven by the miniature linear actuator 5, through the elastic component 8, preventing corneal congestion, conjunctival hemorrhage, or patient discomfort caused by excessive compression. In other words, the elastic component 8 not only provides mechanical flexibility and cushioning but also endows the entire device with adaptive adjustment characteristics, making it universally applicable to subjects with different eye shapes and eyelid thicknesses.

[0043] Secondly, the zoned pressure sensor array 9 is used to achieve real-time force monitoring of the eyelid contact surface. This sensor array preferably uses a thin-film resistive pressure sensor, model FSR402 or an equivalent medical-grade sensor unit. The FSR402 sensor is only 0.45 mm thick, has a dynamic response time of less than 5 ms, and a detection sensitivity covering a range of 0.05 N / cm² to 10 N / cm², fully meeting the detection requirements for slight eyelid contact pressure. The array layout can be designed as a 3×3 matrix (9 detection points) or a 4×2 matrix (8 detection points) according to clinical needs, with the overall detection area covering a 20 mm × 10 mm range, basically matching the wing-type contact surface of the upper eyelid support component 6 or the lower eyelid support component 7. To ensure stable operation of the sensor during skin contact, the zoned pressure sensor array 9 is embedded in the inner surface layer of a skin-friendly silicone pad via a flexible circuit board. The silicone thickness is 2–4 mm, and the sensor surface is sealed with a medical-grade polyurethane coating to ensure sweat and liquid penetration resistance. In terms of working principle, when the eyelid contacts the supporting surface and generates pressure, the resistance of the sensing unit changes proportionally with the magnitude of the force. The array signal is transmitted to the microcontroller after analog-to-digital conversion. The software algorithm performs data fusion and dynamic average calculation to determine whether the force is uniform in real time. Once the pressure in a certain area exceeds the safety threshold (e.g., 2.5 N / cm²), the system can issue an adjustment command to drive the micro linear actuator 5 for fine-tuning, thereby achieving closed-loop control and ensuring balanced force on the eyelid. This structure effectively solves the problem of excessive local pressure and patients' inability to tolerate it for extended periods in traditional eyelid opening devices.

[0044] Secondly, the infrared blink detection unit 10 is a reflective infrared photoelectric sensor, model TCRT5000 or equivalent medical-grade sensor. The sensor's central operating wavelength is 940 nm, with a typical emission power of 5 mW, and its receiving sensitivity can achieve stable detection within the range of 2–15 mm. It is installed on the front side of the mounting base 13, opposite to the upper edge of the lower eyelid support assembly 7. The sensor's optical axis maintains a 10°–15° elevation angle relative to the eyelash area to ensure that the infrared beam can effectively illuminate the eyelid edge and be reflected back to the receiver. The sampling frequency is designed to be no less than 100 Hz, meaning that subtle changes in eyelid height can be captured within 10 ms, thus accurately identifying blinking movements. The detection principle is as follows: when the eye fissure remains open, the infrared light reflection signal at the eyelid margin is stable; when a blinking movement or eyelid drooping occurs, the reflected signal will decrease sharply or even be interrupted. The system can determine the occurrence of a blink by observing the signal amplitude change and frequency characteristics. Compared to manual visual observation, sensor detection is not only real-time and objective, but it can also be linked with the control system. When a blinking trend is detected, protection logic can be triggered to temporarily suspend OCT scanning or adjust the support components to avoid image blurring and repeated inspections.

[0045] Through the synergistic effect of these three components, the device forms a complete "mechanical buffering—pressure monitoring—dynamic detection" chain. The elastic component 8 provides flexible protection, ensuring the eyelid support is not rigid; the zoned pressure sensor array 9 enables quantitative monitoring, ensuring uniform force on the eyelid; and the infrared blink detection unit 10 captures dynamic movements in real time, ensuring uninterrupted imaging. This design, combining hardware and software, and integrating sensing and mechanical processes, effectively solves the problems of excessive eyelid pressure, uneven pressure distribution, and the inability to monitor blinks in real time in existing technologies, significantly improving the stability and reliability of the OCT examination process.

[0046] like Figure 1-4 As shown, in this embodiment, a fixed sleeve rod 28 is fixedly installed on the front side of the stand 23. This sleeve rod is made of high-strength medical-grade stainless steel or anodized aluminum alloy, with a diameter between 8 and 12 mm and a wall thickness of 1.0 to 1.5 mm, ensuring overall rigidity while avoiding excessive weight that would increase the burden of use. The inner cavity of the fixed sleeve rod 28 is precision machined, with an inner diameter tolerance controlled within ±0.05 mm to ensure smooth sliding of the adjusting inner rod 29. The adjusting inner rod 29 is made of lightweight medical-grade polycarbonate (PC) or polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and its front end is fixedly connected to the rear frame of the transparent windproof cover 11 via a threaded connection or a snap-fit ​​structure, thereby realizing the forward and backward extension and retraction adjustment of the transparent windproof cover 11 along the optical axis. Through this telescopic design, the relative distance between the transparent windproof cover 11 and the examined eye can be flexibly adjusted according to the facial contours, orbital depth, and examination position height of different patients, avoiding pressure on facial soft tissues by the cover while ensuring that the OCT imaging channel is unobstructed. The adjustment range is usually between 15 and 30 mm. The operator can fix it in a suitable position by tightening the knob, so as to ensure that the transparent windproof cover 11 is stable and does not shift during the inspection.

[0047] The transparent windproof shield 11 is injection molded from medical-grade optically transparent polycarbonate, with a thickness of approximately 1.5–2.0 mm. Its front end features an arc-shaped opening, and the radius of curvature of the shield's surface is 40–60 mm, effectively covering the area around the examined eye and creating a localized shielding space. The polycarbonate material boasts high light transmittance (≥90%) and low attenuation in the near-infrared band (850–950 nm), ensuring smooth passage of the OCT beam without affecting image quality. The outer surface of the shield is treated with an anti-fog coating, while the inner surface is coated with a hydrophilic transparent film layer to reduce condensation and prevent optical interference from moisture generated during atomization. Flexible silicone sealing rings are used at the edges of the windproof shield to isolate it from non-contact areas of the patient's face, ensuring the shield's stability and airtightness while preventing skin discomfort.

[0048] A nebulizing tube 30 is fixedly connected to the end of the fixed sleeve 28. The nebulizing tube is made of medical-grade silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), with an inner diameter of 1.5–2.0 mm and an outer diameter of 2.5–3.0 mm. It possesses both good drug resistance and resistance to moist heat sterilization, while ensuring stable airflow transmission. One end of the nebulizing tube 30 extends out of the fixed sleeve 28 and is connected to a conventional medical ultrasonic nebulizer or compressed air-driven nebulizer. The interface is standardized as a Φ6 mm Luer connector, facilitating quick docking with existing medical equipment. The other end of the nebulizing tube 30 passes through the fixed sleeve 28 and extends to the inside of the transparent windproof cover 11. Its end is equipped with a high-efficiency nebulizing nozzle with an outlet orifice diameter of 0.2–0.3 mm and a droplet size controlled between 3–5 μm, which can effectively deposit on the ocular surface and eyelid margin area without affecting light transmission. The atomizing nozzle operates at a flow rate of 0.1–0.3 mL / min. Combined with a constant temperature and humidity control unit, it can create a comfortable microenvironment for the human eye inside the enclosure, maintaining a temperature of 34–36 ℃ and a relative humidity of 40–60%, thereby alleviating the dryness and discomfort of the examined eye caused by prolonged exposure. The nozzle as a whole serves as the micro-humidification module 12, with a compact structure that facilitates cleaning and replacement.

[0049] In terms of structural optimization, the synergistic effect of the transparent windproof shield 11 and the atomizing module 12 not only improves ocular surface humidity but also reduces the evaporation rate of airflow on the corneal surface through a localized shielding structure. Clinical tests show that when the humidity inside the shield is maintained within the range of 50% ± 5%, the average tear film breakup time of the examinee can be extended by approximately 30%, thereby effectively reducing examination interruptions or image artifacts caused by dry eye. Simultaneously, the constant temperature and humidified environment avoids discomfort caused by low-temperature droplets irritating corneal nerve endings, ensuring patient compliance during prolonged examinations.

[0050] In the eyelid support section, the upper eyelid support component 6 and the lower eyelid support component 7 have skin-contact surfaces designed as horizontally arc-shaped wing-plate structures, with a length of 20–35 mm, a width of 10–20 mm, and a contact pad thickness of 2–4 mm. This design conforms to the anatomical curvature of the outer edge of the eyelid, allowing the contact surface to fully conform to the eyelid shape of different patients and avoid local pressure caused by linear support. The edges of the wing plates are rounded with a radius of not less than 1 mm to reduce mechanical stimulation to the eyelid margin and the root of the eyelashes.

[0051] In terms of material selection, the part of the wing plate that contacts the eyelid uses medical-grade silicone or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) with a hardness range of Shore A 20–40, possessing both good flexibility and elasticity while withstanding repeated sterilization processes. Its surface is covered with an ultra-flexible, skin-friendly coating with a thickness of 0.5–1.0 mm. This coating can be a medical-grade hydrophilic gel film or a modified polyurethane thin layer, with a coefficient of friction below 0.3, providing a feel close to the skin itself and effectively reducing the foreign body sensation and fatigue experienced by patients during prolonged wear. For non-contact areas, lightweight medical-grade polycarbonate or polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is used, with a thickness controlled at 1.0–1.5 mm, reducing the overall weight by more than 30%, making the entire device more convenient to wear. This material has excellent impact resistance and heat resistance, ensuring reliability for repeated sterilization and long-term use.

[0052] In summary, this invention provides an adjustable positioning function for the transparent windproof cover 11 through the sliding cooperation of the fixed sleeve 28 and the adjusting inner rod 29, allowing it to flexibly adapt to different facial anatomy differences and ensuring that the imaging optical path is unobstructed. The design of the atomizing tube 30 and the nozzle achieves a constant temperature and humidity local microenvironment, effectively preventing corneal dryness and improving patient comfort. The ergonomic design and skin-friendly material selection of the upper eyelid support component 6 and the lower eyelid support component 7 ensure the softness and reliability of eyelid support. Through the coordinated cooperation of the above-mentioned parts, the problems of ocular surface dryness, support discomfort, and poor device compatibility during OCT examinations in existing technologies are solved, providing a solid guarantee for the stability and reliability of OCT imaging.

[0053] When using this device, ① firstly, the mounting support 1 is reliably fixed to the bearing part of the OCT examination position by the C-shaped clamping seat 3 and the clamping plate 4, and the overall position is precisely adjusted by the front and rear screws 14, left and right screws 18 and lifting sliding sleeve 21 of the three-way micro-adjustment positioning part 2, so that the transparent windproof cover 11 faces the area of ​​the eye being examined; ② then, according to the condition of the patient's eyelids, the vertical screw 24 is driven by the lead screw motor 25 to move the vertical screw block 26 up and down, so that the upper eyelid support component 6 and the lower eyelid support component 7 gradually unfold and form a flexible support under the action of the elastic member 8. At the same time, the contact pressure distribution is monitored in real time by the partition pressure sensor array 9 to avoid excessive local pressure; ③ during the examination, the infrared blink detection unit 10 The system continuously collects data on changes in palpebral fissure height and determines blinking movements in real time. If an abnormal closing trend is detected, the system compensates for the movement using a miniature linear actuator 5. The operator can adjust the position of the transparent windproof cover 11 by pushing the inner adjusting rod 29 as needed. An external nebulizer is connected to the nebulizing tube 30 on the fixed sleeve rod 28, creating a constant temperature and humidity microenvironment within the cover using the micro-humidification module 12. This reduces corneal dryness and improves examination comfort and image quality. After the examination, the locking screws are released, the lifting slider 22 is reset, and the upper eyelid support assembly 6 and lower eyelid support assembly 7 are released. The transparent windproof cover 11 is then removed. Finally, the entire device is disassembled from the support and cleaned and disinfected, completing one full operation.

[0054] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to replace them, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A blink control and palpebral fissure maintenance device suitable for OCT examination, characterized in that, Comprising: An installation support base (1) for fixing to the OCT examination position and a three-way fine-tuning positioning part (2) provided at the bottom of the installation support base (1) for adjusting the up-and-down, left-and-right, front-and-back movement of the installation support base (1); an upper eyelid support component (6) and a lower eyelid support component (7) provided on the outer sides of the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid of the subject, and the upper eyelid support component (6) makes a reciprocating displacement relative to the lower eyelid support component (7) via a micro linear actuator (5); the three-way fine-tuning positioning part (2) is detachably clamped to the bearing part at the OCT examination position through a U-shaped clamping seat (3) and a clamping piece (4); An elastic member (8) is connected in series on the force application paths of the upper eyelid support component (6) and the lower eyelid support component (7), and a partition pressure sensing array (9) is arranged in the skin contact parts of the upper eyelid support component (6) and the lower eyelid support component (7); an infrared blinking detection unit (10) arranged facing the upper eyelid margin area is further provided on the upper side of the lower eyelid support component (7) for detecting the blinking state; and a transparent windproof cover (11) for covering the area of the eye to be examined is provided on the front side of the installation support base (1), and a micro humidification module (12) can be installed on the inner side of the transparent windproof cover (11).

2. The blink control and palpebral fissure preservation device suitable for OCT examination as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The three-way fine-tuning positioning part (2) includes: a fixed base (13) fixed to the bottom of the installation support base (1), the fixed base (13) is rotatably connected with a front-and-back screw rod (14), the front-and-back screw rod (14) is coaxially and fixedly connected with a front-and-back rotating wheel (15), the front-and-back screw rod (14) is threadedly connected with a front-and-back screw block (16), and the front-and-back screw block (16) is slidably connected with the fixed base (13); the bottom of the front-and-back screw block (16) is fixedly connected with a left-and-right seat (17), the left-and-right seat (17) is rotatably connected with a left-and-right screw rod (18), the left-and-right screw rod (18) is coaxially and fixedly connected with a left-and-right rotating wheel (20), the left-and-right screw rod (18) is threadedly connected with a left-and-right screw block (19), and the left-and-right screw block (19) is slidably connected with the left-and-right seat (17); the bottom of the left-and-right screw block (19) is fixedly connected with a lifting sliding sleeve (21), the bottom of the lifting sliding sleeve (21) is slidably connected with a lifting sliding block (22), and the lifting sliding block (22) is fixedly connected with the U-shaped clamping seat (3); a locking screw for fixing the lifting sliding block (22) is further threadedly connected inward on the outer side of the lifting sliding sleeve (21).

3. A blink control and palpebral fissure preservation device suitable for OCT examination as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The U-shaped clamping seat (�) has a "U" - shaped structure, the U-shaped clamping seat (3) is threadedly connected with a control screw rod, the control screw rod is fixedly connected with the clamping piece (4), and a rotating wheel is fixed to the control screw rod.

4. The blink control and palpebral fissure preservation device suitable for OCT examination as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The miniature linear actuator (5) includes a stand (23) fixed on a mounting support (1). The stand (23) is rotatably connected to a vertical screw (24). A lead screw motor (25) and an encoder are fixedly connected to the bottom of the vertical screw (24). A vertical screw block (26) is threadedly connected to the vertical screw (24). A first fixed extension rod (27) is fixed on the stand (23). A second fixed extension rod (27) is also fixed on the vertical screw block (26). An elastic member (8) is fixedly connected to the first fixed extension rod (27) and the second fixed extension rod (27). The elastic member (8) is connected to the upper eyelid support assembly (6) and the lower eyelid support assembly (7) respectively.

5. A blink control and palpebral fissure preservation device suitable for OCT examination as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic member (8) is an arc-shaped spring or an equivalent leaf spring structure, made of medical stainless steel or nickel-titanium alloy, with a pre-bent shape of 0.2 to 0.5 mm thickness and 10 to 20 mm radius of curvature. The two ends of the elastic member (8) are respectively fixed between the fixed extension rod (27) and the upper eyelid support assembly (6) or the lower eyelid support assembly (7) to generate rebound deformation when the outer eyelid is subjected to pressure exceeding 2.0 N.

6. A blink control and palpebral fissure preservation device suitable for OCT examination as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The partitioned pressure sensing array (9) adopts a thin-film resistive pressure sensor array, model FSR402 or equivalent medical-grade pressure sensing unit, array form is 3×3 or 4×2 matrix, thickness is not greater than 0.5 mm, the partitioned pressure sensing array (9) is embedded in the skin-friendly soft pad of the upper eyelid support component (6) and the lower eyelid support component (7) through a flexible circuit board, the contact area covers the eyelid margin contact surface, used to monitor the eyelid contact pressure distribution in real time and feed it back to the control system to achieve pressure equalization adjustment.

7. A blink control and palpebral fissure preservation device suitable for OCT examination as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The infrared blink detection unit (10) is a reflective infrared photoelectric sensor, model TCRT5000 or equivalent medical grade sensor, installed on the front side of the fixing base (13) and opposite to the upper edge of the lower eyelid support component (7). The sensor optical axis is arranged at an elevation angle of 10° to 15° relative to the eyelash area, the working wavelength range is 850 to 950 nm, and the sampling frequency is not less than 100 Hz. It is used to monitor the change in palpebral fissure height in real time and determine the blinking action.

8. A blink control and palpebral fissure preservation device suitable for OCT examination as described in claim 4, characterized in that, A fixed sleeve rod (28) is fixed to the front side of the stand (23). An adjusting inner rod (29) is slidably connected inside the fixed sleeve rod (28). The front end of the adjusting inner rod (29) is fixedly connected to the transparent windproof cover (11) to realize the front and rear extension adjustment of the transparent windproof cover (11). An atomizing tube (30) is fixedly connected to the end of the fixed sleeve rod (28). One end of the atomizing tube (30) extends out of the fixed sleeve rod (28) for connecting an external atomizer. The other end of the atomizing tube (30) passes through the fixed sleeve rod (28) and extends to the inside of the transparent windproof cover (11). An atomizing nozzle is provided at the end of the atomizing tube (30). The atomizing nozzle serves as the micro-humidification module (12) to form a constant temperature and humidity atomizing microenvironment inside the transparent windproof cover (11).

9. A blink control and palpebral fissure preservation device suitable for OCT examination as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The upper eyelid support component (6) and the lower eyelid support component (7) have skin contact surfaces that are arc-shaped wing plate structures along the horizontal direction, with a length of 20-35 mm, a width of 10-20 mm, and a contact pad thickness of 2-4 mm, in order to fit the outer edge of the eyelid and improve wearing comfort.

10. A blink control and palpebral fissure preservation device suitable for OCT examination as described in claim 1 or 6, characterized in that, The upper eyelid support component (6) and the lower eyelid support component (7) are made of medical-grade silicone or thermoplastic elastomer, and their surfaces are covered with an ultra-flexible skin-friendly coating with a thickness of 0.5 to 1.0 mm and a hardness range of Shore A 20 to 40, to ensure a gentle fit to the patient's eyelid during the support process; the non-contact parts of the support components are made of lightweight medical-grade polycarbonate or polyetheretherketone.

Images