Patient interface system, method for coupling a patient interface with a patient interface holder, patient interface and patient interface holder

Abstract

Patient interface system (10) for positioning a patient's eye relative to a laser device for laser surgery, comprising a patient interface (12) for coupling to the patient's eye and a patient interface holder (14) for arranging the patient interface (12) on the laser device, wherein the patient interface (12) has a first positioning device (30) for placing the patient interface (12) on the patient's eye;and- the patient interface holder (14) comprises a holding device (16) by means of which the patient interface (12) can be reversibly coupled to the patient interface holder (14), wherein the patient interface holder (14) has a suction channel (62) connectable to a suction device and the patient interface (12) has a fluid guidance device (60), wherein the patient interface holder (14) and the fluid guidance device (60) of the patient interface (12) together form a fluid path in the coupled state, which fluidically couples the suction channel (62) to a suction opening (64) of the patient interface (12) in the region of the first positioning device (30) in order to keep the first positioning device (30) in contact with the patient's eye by means of a relative negative pressure generated by the suction device, characterized in that the fluid guidance device (60) of the patient interface (12) has at least one filter element (46) in the fluid path includes;

Description

The invention relates to a patient interface system for positioning a patient's eye relative to a laser device for laser surgery. The invention further relates to a method for coupling a patient interface with a patient interface holder of such a patient interface system, as well as a patient interface and a patient interface holder for such a patient interface system. Such a patient interface system can be used, for example, in laser surgery of a human or animal eye. The patient interface system serves to position and couple the patient's eye to a laser device that generates the laser radiation for the treatment. These laser devices typically include a base unit with a laser source for generating pulsed laser radiation, such as nanosecond, femtosecond, or picosecond laser pulses, and an application head that is coupled to the patient's eye via the patient interface system. The patient interface system is usually positioned between the patient's eye and a focusing system of the laser device. This fixed coupling is necessary to maintain the distance between the laser source and the laser device.to keep their focusing system and the patient's eye constant so that the laser surgical treatment can be carried out with the necessary high precision and the laser beam can be precisely directed at the tissue of the patient's eye to be treated, for example the cornea. A patient interface system of this type comprises a patient interface for coupling to the patient's eye and a patient interface holder for mounting the patient interface on the laser device. The patient interface includes a first positioning device for attaching the patient interface to the patient's eye and a second positioning device for positioning the patient interface relative to the patient interface holder. The patient interface holder, in turn, includes a holding device by means of which the patient interface can be reversibly coupled to the patient interface holder. In the coupled or mounted state, the patient interface is thus connected at one end to the patient's eye and at the other end to the patient interface holder, while the patient interface holder is in turn coupled to the laser device, ensuring correct alignment between the patient's eye and the laser source. The patient interface is typically connected to the patient's eye using negative pressure and a suction ring placed on the cornea. The suction ring is the most common method of attachment, but other solutions are also known. US Patent 2006 / 0192921A1 discloses a device for aligning a patient's eye with a laser system to facilitate their interaction. The device includes a light source for illuminating the eye. A movable platform is provided to move the patient relative to the laser system. A reference marker, located on the laser system, serves to align the eye with the laser system. An image of the marker, along with reflections from the illuminated eye, is transmitted to the system controller. There, the image and reflections are processed to determine a measured alignment, which is then compared to the desired alignment. An error signal, indicating a deviation in alignment, is then generated and used to incrementally move the platform or the patient in the appropriate direction. US 2017 / 0 281 407 A1 discloses a patient interface device. The patient interface device comprises a first interface port configured to connect to a laser surgery device, a second interface port configured to connect to a patient's eye, the second interface port including an applanation lens for application to a patient's eye during a laser surgery procedure, a chamber extending between the first interface port and the second interface port and defining a cavity therein, wherein air can be evacuated from the cavity through the first interface port by the laser surgery device, and a tubular light-guiding structure with a first surface serving as a light-receiving surface and configured to receive light, and a second surface serving as a light-emitting surface.wherein the second surface is located adjacent to the applanation lens and is configured to provide light near the patient's eye when the applanation lens is applied to the patient's eye. A disadvantage of the known patient interface system is that the suction ring must be positioned and actuated in addition to the other components of the patient interface system, which significantly complicates the preparation and execution of laser surgical treatment. This can also be problematic with regard to the high safety requirements of such treatment procedures. The object of the present invention is to provide a patient interface system whose patient interface is easier to handle and more securely attached to a patient's eye. A further object of the invention is to provide a method for more easily and securely coupling a patient interface to a patient interface holder of such a patient interface system. Finally, further objects of the invention are to provide a corresponding patient interface and a corresponding patient interface holder for such a patient interface system. The problems are solved according to the invention by a patient interface system with the features of claim 1, by a method according to claim 13 for coupling a patient interface with a patient interface holder of a patient interface system, as well as by a patient interface according to claim 14 and by a patient interface holder according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims, wherein advantageous embodiments of each aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the other aspects of the invention. A first aspect of the invention relates to a patient interface system according to claim 1 for positioning a patient's eye relative to a laser device for laser surgery, comprising a patient interface for coupling to the patient's eye and a patient interface holder for arranging the patient interface on the laser device, wherein the patient interface has a first positioning device for placing the patient interface on the patient's eye and the patient interface holder comprises a holding device by means of which the patient interface can be reversibly coupled to the patient interface holder.The patient interface holder is designed to have a suction channel connectable to a suction device, and the patient interface to have a fluid guidance device. When coupled, the patient interface holder and the fluid guidance device of the patient interface together form a fluid path that fluidically couples the suction channel to a suction opening of the patient interface in the area of ​​the first positioning device. This connection serves to hold the first positioning device in contact with the patient's eye by means of a relative negative pressure generated by the suction device. In other words, the mechanical coupling of the patient interface and the patient interface holder is accompanied by a fluidic coupling, which can be used to position and hold the patient's eye against the patient interface.This means that a user of the patient interface system according to the invention only needs to connect two components, namely the patient interface and the patient interface holder, to achieve both a mechanical connection between the patient interface and the patient interface holder for positioning the patient's eye relative to the laser device, and a connection between the patient interface and a suction device via the patient interface holder, in order to apply or hold the patient's eye against the first positioning device by means of negative pressure, without any additional steps or procedures. This makes the patient interface system easier and safer to handle. According to the invention, the fluid guidance device of the patient interface comprises at least one filter element.This allows impurities occurring in the fluid path to be reliably captured, thus preventing disruptions to the laser surgical treatment. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intake channel of the patient interface holder comprises a male connector which, when coupled, engages a corresponding female connector of the patient interface. This allows for simple and reliable fluidic coupling and advantageously reduces the risk of contamination in the connection area between the patient interface and the patient interface holder. During the time between unpacking and inserting the patient interface into the patient interface holder, the patient interface is briefly exposed to the environment and thus to potential contamination. Contamination in the fluidic coupling area can impair the seal of the fluidic coupling and, in the worst case, interfere with the laser surgical procedure.By using a female connector with internal contact surfaces, the risk of contamination is significantly reduced compared to a male connector. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the female connector has an inner cone in which, when coupled, a corresponding outer cone of the male connector is arranged. This allows for a simple and gas-tight coupling similar to a Luer system. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the outer cone and / or the inner cone are provided to have a contact angle between 8° and 20°. In other words, the outer cone, at least in the connection area with the inner cone, is provided to have an increasing outer diameter with a contact angle of 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, 15°, 16°, 17°, 18°, 19°, or 20° in the insertion direction into the inner cone, and / or the inner cone is provided to have a decreasing inner diameter with a corresponding contact angle between 8° and 20° in the insertion direction of the outer cone. For example, the outer cone can have a contact angle of 12° and the inner cone a contact angle of -12°. This allows for easy and self-centering insertion and removal of the outer cone into the inner cone and ensures a gas-tight connection. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the male connector is angled, which facilitates the connection of a vacuum hose in certain configurations. Furthermore, an angled design allows for easier force application to the connector in the insertion direction to ensure secure contact with the female connector. Alternatively or additionally, the male connector is arranged in a groove of the patient interface holder and / or is subjected to force by a spring-loaded locking element. This ensures reliable support of the male connector on the patient interface holder and secure contact with the female connector, thereby achieving a correspondingly reliable and gas-tight coupling. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fluid guidance device of the patient interface comprises at least one collection container. This allows contaminants occurring in the fluid path to be retained and collected. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the collection container is inserted into a corresponding mounting opening of the patient interface. This allows the collection container to be manufactured as a separate component and connected to the patient interface. The multi-part design of the patient interface simplifies the production of complex geometries. Furthermore, different assembly types can be combined as needed. For example, collection containers of varying sizes can be provided and connected to the patient interface as required. Alternatively or additionally, the collection container can have a volume of at least 80 mm³, for example, 80 mm³, 85 mm³, 90 mm³, 95 mm³, 100 mm³, 105 mm³, 110 mm³, 115 mm³, 120 mm³, 125 mm³, 130 mm³, 135 mm³, 140 mm³, 145 mm³, 150 mm³ or more.This allows for a sufficiently large safety buffer to reliably collect even unexpected amounts of contaminants. A volume of 120 mm³ or more, for example, is generally sufficient for approximately five laser surgical treatments and thus offers a correspondingly good safety buffer. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the filter element is arranged in a mounting opening of the collection container. This allows contaminants captured by the filter element to be collected directly in the collection container, thus minimizing the risk of blockages in the fluid path. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fluid guidance device comprises a vacuum hose. For the purposes of this disclosure, a vacuum hose is understood to be a hose that does not collapse and block the fluid path when a reduced vacuum is applied compared to a normal ambient pressure of approximately 1 bar. The vacuum hose allows for a particularly flexible definition of the fluid path, thus enabling a correspondingly flexible design of the patient interface. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the collection container comprises a connector in which a first end section of the vacuum hose is arranged. This provides a simple way to connect the vacuum hose. In one embodiment, the vacuum hose can be glued into the connector to ensure a reliable and gas-tight connection. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fluid guidance device comprises a connecting piece in which a second end section of the vacuum hose is arranged and which opens into the suction opening. This allows the vacuum generated by the suction device to be directed via the vacuum hose directly to the suction opening and thus close to the patient's eye, thereby ensuring a correspondingly reliable positioning of the patient's eye. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one connector has a mounting channel in which the vacuum hose is arranged in a certain area. Starting from an insertion opening whose inner diameter corresponds to at least one outer diameter of the vacuum hose, the mounting channel has an inner diameter that decreases continuously and / or in steps along a mounting direction, at least in certain areas. This allows for particularly simple and reliable fixing and positioning of the vacuum hose. A second aspect of the invention relates to a method according to claim 13 for coupling a patient interface of a patient interface system according to the first aspect of the invention with a patient interface holder of a patient interface system according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the patient interface is moved relative to the patient interface holder until the suction channel of the patient interface holder and the fluid guidance device of the patient interface are fluidically coupled and together form a fluid path which fluidly couples the suction channel with the suction opening of the patient interface in the area of ​​the first positioning device in order to keep the first positioning device in contact with the patient's eye by means of a relative negative pressure generated by the suction device.In other words, the system incorporates a fluidic coupling along with the mechanical coupling of the patient interface and the patient interface holder. This fluidic coupling can be used to position and hold the patient's eye against the patient interface. As a result, a user of the patient interface system according to the invention only needs to couple two components—the patient interface and the patient interface holder—to achieve both a mechanical coupling of the patient interface and the patient interface holder for positioning the patient's eye relative to the laser device, and a connection of the patient interface via the patient interface holder to a suction device. This suction device then uses negative pressure to position and hold the patient's eye against the first positioning device. This makes the patient interface system easier and safer to handle.The fluid guidance system of the patient interface comprises at least one filter element. This allows impurities occurring in the fluid path to be reliably captured, thereby preventing disruptions to the laser surgical treatment. Further features and their advantages can be found in the descriptions of the first aspect of the invention, whereby advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be considered advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention and vice versa. A third aspect of the invention relates to a patient interface according to claim 14 for a patient interface system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the patient interface comprises a fluid guidance device which, in the coupled state with the patient interface holder of the patient interface system, together with a suction channel of the patient interface holder connectable to a suction device, forms a fluid path which fluidically couples the suction channel to a suction opening of the patient interface in the region of the first positioning device in order to keep the first positioning device of the patient interface in contact with the patient's eye by means of a relative negative pressure generated by the suction device. According to the invention, the fluid guidance device of the patient interface comprises at least one filter element.This allows impurities occurring in the fluid path to be reliably captured, thus preventing disruptions to the laser surgical treatment. The patient interface according to the invention, in conjunction with the patient interface holder, enables both mechanical and fluidic coupling to be established in a single step, making the patient interface easier to handle and more secure to attach to a patient's eye. Further features and their advantages can be found in the descriptions of the first and second aspects of the invention, whereby advantageous embodiments of the first and second aspects of the invention are to be considered advantageous embodiments of the third aspect of the invention and vice versa. A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a patient interface holder according to claim 15 for a patient interface system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the patient interface holder has a suction channel connectable to a suction device, wherein the suction channel and the fluid guidance device of the patient interface together form a fluid path in the coupled state, which fluidically couples the suction channel of the patient interface with a suction opening of the patient interface in the area of ​​the first positioning device in order to keep the first positioning device of the patient interface in contact with the patient's eye by means of a relative negative pressure generated by the suction device.The patient interface holder according to the invention, in conjunction with the patient interface, enables both mechanical and fluidic coupling to be established in a single step, making the patient interface easier to handle and more secure to attach to a patient's eye. The fluid guidance system of the patient interface comprises at least one filter element. This allows impurities occurring in the fluid path to be reliably captured, thus preventing interference with the laser surgical treatment. Further features and their advantages can be found in the descriptions of the first, second, and third aspects of the invention, whereby advantageous embodiments of the first, second, and third aspects of the invention are to be considered advantageous embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention, and vice versa. Another aspect, which is not part of the invention, relates to a method for preparing and / or carrying out a laser surgical treatment procedure on a patient's eye, in which a patient interface system according to the first aspect of the invention is provided, the patient interface is applied to a patient's eye by means of the first positioning device, the patient interface holder is fixed to the laser device, and the patient interface is reversibly coupled to the patient interface holder by means of the holding device of the patient interface holder and positioned relative to the patient interface holder by means of the second positioning device.wherein the patient interface holder has a suction channel that can be connected to or is connected to a suction device, and the patient interface has a fluid guidance device, and wherein the patient interface holder and the fluid guidance device of the patient interface, when coupled, together form a fluid path which fluidically couples the suction channel to a suction opening of the patient interface in the area of ​​the first positioning device in order to hold the first positioning device in contact with the patient's eye by means of a relative negative pressure generated by the suction device. This makes the patient interface system easier to handle and more secure to attach to a patient's eye, thereby making the laser surgical treatment procedure correspondingly simpler and safer to perform. Further features of the invention are evident from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those subsequently mentioned in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which can be derived and generated from the explained embodiments by separate combinations of features, are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention. Embodiments and combinations of features that do not exhibit all the features of an originally formulated independent claim are also to be considered disclosed.Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features, particularly those described above, are considered disclosed which go beyond or deviate from the combinations of features described in the cross-references to the claims. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a patient interface system according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic bottom view of the patient interface system; Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the patient interface system; Figure 4 shows a schematic exploded view of an embodiment of a patient interface of the patient interface system according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of the patient interface; Figure 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the patient interface; Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of detail area VII shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 shows...Fig. 8 a schematic perspective view of a suction cup part of the patient interface from above; Fig. 9 an enlarged view of detail IX shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 a schematic top view of the patient interface; Fig. 11 a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a patient interface holder according to the invention of the patient interface system; Fig. 12 schematic side sections of locking elements of the patient interface holder and perspective top views of their corresponding locking surfaces of the patient interface; Fig. 13 a partial side sectional view of the patient interface in the area of ​​opposing locking surfaces that interact with corresponding locking elements of the patient interface holder; Fig. 14 a schematic exploded view of the patient interface holder; Fig. 15 a schematic exploded view of a first assembly of the patient interface holder; Fig.Fig. 16 a schematic exploded view of a second assembly of the patient interface holder; Fig. 17 a schematic and partial sectional view from above of an intake channel of the patient interface holder and part of a fluid guidance device of the patient interface; Fig. 18 a schematic and partially transparent perspective view of the area of ​​the patient interface system shown in Fig. 17; Fig. 19 a schematic sectional view of a male connector engaging a corresponding female connector of the patient interface; Fig. 20 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the patient interface; Fig. 21 a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a collection container; Fig. 22 a schematic perspective view of the collection container, which is provided with a filter element; Fig.23 a schematic perspective view of the patient interface in the area of ​​a mounting opening for the collection container; Fig. 24 a schematic perspective view of the patient interface, wherein the collection container is arranged in the mounting opening; and Fig. 25 a schematic sectional view of the collection container in the area of ​​a connector in which an end section of a vacuum hose is arranged. Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a patient interface system 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The patient interface system 10 serves to position a patient's eye (not shown) relative to a laser device (not shown) for laser surgery and comprises a patient interface 12 for coupling to the patient's eye and a patient interface holder 14 for mounting the patient interface 12 on the laser device. Fig. 1 will be explained below in conjunction with Fig. 2, which shows a schematic bottom view of the patient interface system 10. In this case, the patient interface 12 is formed in one piece from several assemblies bonded together, while the patient interface holder 14 consists of three assemblies, exemplary in number and orientation, which are screwed together and will be explained in more detail below.The patient interface holder 14 comprises a holding device 16 by means of which the patient interface 12, which can generally be a disposable or single-use component, can be reversibly coupled to the patient interface holder 14 and which is designed to position the patient interface 12 in the coupled state relative to the patient interface holder 14. For this purpose, the holding device 16 comprises two opposing, groove-shaped guide elements 18, along which a second positioning element 20 (see Fig. 4) of the patient interface 12 can be moved in a positively guided manner for coupling and uncoupling. The patient interface 12 can thus be inserted into the holding device 16 of the patient interface holder 14 like a drawer for coupling and pulled out again for uncoupling. It can further be seen that the patient interface holder 14 comprises a connection device 22 for coupling a camera system 24 and a lighting device 26, by means of which at least one area of ​​the patient's eye is illuminated perpendicularly to a surface of a contact plate 28 of a first positioning device 30 of the patient interface 12. For this purpose, the lighting device 26 comprises – in this case, by way of example in number and arrangement – ​​four light sources (e.g., LEDs) 32, the respective light cones of which are shown with circles in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.Since the patient interface 12 is made entirely or at least in the area of ​​the first positioning device 30, which is placed with the patient's eye for laser surgical treatment, of an optically transparent material, the radiation from the light source 32 penetrates the essentially funnel-shaped wall of the patient interface 12 in this area and thus indirectly irradiates both the surgical area under the contact plate 28, which can also be called contact glass, and directly its surroundings. Furthermore, the patient interface holder 14 and the patient interface 12 can be connected to a suction device (not shown), for example a vacuum pump, in a manner described in more detail below, to generate a relative negative pressure and to hold the patient interface 12 or its first positioning device 30 in contact with the patient's eye. It can be seen particularly in Fig. 1 that all connecting cables 34 for the camera system 24 and the illumination device 26, as well as a vacuum hose 36 for connecting the suction device, extend in the same direction from the patient interface holder 14 and are arranged on one side of the patient interface holder 14 opposite the insertion side of the patient interface 12. This allows the patient interface 12 to be coupled to the patient interface holder 14 particularly easily and reliably.decoupled from this, whereby the coupling simultaneously provides a locking, positioning and connection with the camera system 24, the suction device and the lighting device 26, without requiring any additional handling or work steps by a user. Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the patient interface system 10. The camera system 24, coupled by means of the connecting device 22 of the patient interface holder 14, is particularly evident, as is the fact that the patient interface holder 14 and the patient interface 12 have corresponding channels 38 which, in the coupled state of the patient interface holder 14 and the patient interface 12, together define an optical path P between the connecting device 22 and the first positioning device 30. Within the scope of this disclosure, identical or functionally equivalent elements are generally designated with identical reference numerals, unless a different designation is provided.Channel 38 of the patient interface holder 14 is closed at one end region facing away from the connection device 22 with a window 40 that is transparent to wavelengths in the visible range, so that no foreign bodies can enter and interfere with the optical systems. When the patient interface 12 and the patient interface holder 14 are coupled, channels 38, and thus the optical path P, run at an angle of approximately 45° to a direction of the intended laser radiation L of the laser device or to a surface of the contact plate 28 facing the laser device. Fig. 4 shows a schematic exploded view of an embodiment of the patient interface 12 according to the invention. It can be seen that the patient interface 12 consists of several assemblies connected to each other by plug-in, shrink-fit, and adhesive connections. From top to bottom, the assemblies comprise an interface body 42, which includes the second positioning device 20, and a holder 44, by means of which the patient interface 12 can be held by a user with their thumb (from above) and index finger (from below) in order to couple the patient interface 12 with or decouple it from the patient interface holder 14. The holder 44 has a concave shape that allows for a comfortable and secure grip.A female connector 45 is also visible, into which a corresponding male connector 47 of the patient interface holder 14 engages when coupled to the patient interface holder 14, in order to achieve both mechanical and fluidic coupling. Furthermore, the patient interface 12 includes a filter element 46, which is arranged in a mounting opening 48 of a one-piece collection container 50. Since the mounting opening 48 is asymmetrical in this example, the filter element 46 can only be inserted into the mounting opening 48 in the correct orientation, thus ensuring error-free installation. This is advantageous, for example, if the filter element 46 requires a unidirectional flow direction.The collection container 50 has a volume of approximately 120 mm³, which is large enough to reliably prevent overflow or clogging during a laser surgical procedure. This volume of approximately 120 mm³ theoretically allows for about five laser surgical procedures, thus ensuring a sufficient safety margin. For assembly, the collection container 50, together with the filter element 46, is inserted into a corresponding mounting opening 52 of the interface body 42. The collection container 50 comprises a connector 54 in which a first end section of a vacuum hose 56 is arranged. The opposite end section of the vacuum hose 56 is inserted into a further connector 54 for assembly. This further connector 54 is formed on a suction cup part 58 of the patient interface 12 and opens into a suction opening 64. The suction cup part 58 also includes the channel 38 for the camera system 24 and the first positioning device 30, which is placed on the patient's eye. Within the suction cup part 58, the contact plate 28 is fixed in the area of ​​the first positioning device 30, for example, by gluing. The female connector 45, the filter element 46, the collection container 50 and the vacuum hose 56 together form a fluid guidance device 60, which, in the coupled state of patient interface 12 and patient interface holder 14, together form a fluid path that fluidically couples an intake channel 62 of the patient interface holder 14 with an intake opening 64 of the patient interface 12 in the area of ​​the first positioning device 30, in order to bring the first positioning device 30 into contact with the patient's eye or to hold it against the patient's eye by means of a relative vacuum generated by the suction device. Fig. 5 shows a schematic side view of the patient interface 12 in the assembled state. The fluid guidance device 60 is particularly visible, which fluidically connects the first positioning device 30 to the female connector 45 in the interface body 42 via the vacuum hose 56, the collection container 50 and the filter element 46. Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the patient interface 12 according to the section plane VI-VI shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is explained below in conjunction with Fig. 7, which shows an enlarged view of the detail area VII shown in Fig. 6. The contact body 28, which is fluid-tightly bonded to the suction cup part 58, can be seen. The contact body has a concave underside that defines a cavity 66 into which the fluid guidance device 60 opens. The first positioning device 30 further comprises a plurality of teeth 68, which are arranged in a ring-like pattern at intervals in the end region of the patient interface 12 facing the patient's eye. The teeth 68, together with the contact body 28, ensure applanation of the patient's eye while simultaneously minimizing the applanation forces and suction load. Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of the suction cup part 58 of the patient interface 12 from above, with the contact plate 28 not yet mounted, so that the ring-shaped teeth 68 of the first positioning device 30 and mounting ribs 70 for the contact plate 28 are visible. Fig. 9 shows an enlarged view of detail IX shown in Fig. 8, with the contact plate 28 now inserted into the suction cup part 58 in the area above the teeth 68 and bonded to it. Fig. 10 shows a schematic top view of the patient interface 12. The second positioning device 20 is particularly visible, which in the present embodiment has three locking surfaces 72a, 72b, 72c arranged in a triangle. A path for the laser beam L of the laser device is provided between these surfaces, passing through the patient interface 12. Furthermore, the second positioning device 20 of the patient interface 12 comprises, by way of example, two ramps 74a, 74b. The ramps 74a, 74b are arranged in front of their associated locking surfaces 72a, 72b with respect to a coupling path K and rise along the coupling path K. In the present embodiment, the locking surface 72a has a frustoconical geometry, while the locking surface 72b is slotted and the locking surface 72c is flat.In the coupled state of patient interface 12 and patient interface holder 14, the locking surfaces 72a-c interact with corresponding spring-loaded locking elements 76a-c of the patient interface holder 14, resulting in the following restrictions of the three translational and three rotational degrees of freedom in the present embodiment: Resting area 72a: 2 translational degrees of freedom blocked Raster surface 72b: 2 rotational degrees of freedom blocked Raster surface 72c:1 rotational degree of freedom blocked This means that the patient interface 12, when coupled to the patient interface holder 14, is not rigidly coupled, but is only slightly movable in the z-direction, i.e., perpendicular to the applanated patient eye or translationally along the direction of the laser beam L, in order to compensate for tolerances and to enable simpler coupling and decoupling without compromising correct positioning. Furthermore, collars 78 of the second positioning device 20 are visible, which, during coupling, are pushed into the groove-shaped guide devices 18 and moved along the essentially linear coupling path K in a forced-guided manner, similar to a drawer. Due to the ramps 74a, 74b, a continuously increasing insertion force is required for coupling until the locking elements 76a, 76b engage with the locking surfaces 72a, 72b.This provides a clear haptic feedback to a user about the progress of the coupling process as well as about the coupling that has taken place due to the locking of the locking elements 76a, 76b. Fig. 11 shows a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of the patient interface holder 14 of the patient interface system 10, as already shown in Fig. 1, without a coupled patient interface 12. It can be seen in particular that the patient interface holder 14 comprises three interconnected assemblies 80a-c. Assembly 80a functions as the upper holding assembly, assembly 80b as the lower holding assembly, and assembly 80c as the light holder. Assemblies 80a and 80b together form the groove-shaped guide device 18. Assembly 80a also includes the connecting device 22, into which the camera system 24 is inserted. Fig. 12 shows schematic side sections of the locking elements 76a-c of the patient interface holder 14, which interact with their corresponding locking surfaces 72a-c of the patient interface 12 when the patient interface 12 and patient interface holder 14 are coupled. The locking elements 76a-c are ceramic spheres of the same diameter, rigidly fixed to the patient interface holder 14. These ceramic spheres are mechanically very resistant and can easily slide along the surface and ramps 74a, 74b of the second positioning device 20 during the coupling process. It is understood that, in principle, other materials such as steel or plastic can also be used. The individual locking elements 76a-c can also be made of different materials and / or have different geometries.Below each pairing are perspective views of the resting surfaces 72a-c of the patient interface 12 without the resting bodies 76a-c. Fig. 13 shows a partial lateral sectional view of the patient interface 12 in the area of ​​opposing locking surfaces 72b, 72b', which interact with corresponding locking elements 76b, 76b' of the patient interface holder. In contrast to locking element 76b, locking element 76b' is spring-loaded and ensures reliable coupling of the patient interface 12 and the patient interface holder 14, since, in the coupled state, the patient interface 12 and the patient interface holder 14 can only be moved relative to each other by overcoming the total spring force of all spring-loaded locking elements 76a'-c'. However, by overcoming the total spring force, at least a translational movement in the z-direction, i.e. against the spring forces F, is possible, so that patient interface 12 and patient interface holder 14 are not rigidly connected, but rather spring-elastically connected, even in the coupled state, or do not behave like a single body.The detent elements 76b, 76b' and the detent elements 76a, 76a', 76c, 76c' (not explicitly shown) together with their corresponding detent surfaces 72a-c, 72a'-c' form a detent device 82. The detent elements 76a'-c' are also designed as ceramic spheres and are arranged together with their respective springs 84 in a housing 86. It is understood that the detent elements 76a'-c' may also be made of different materials and / or have different geometries. Likewise, it is possible that all springs 84 have the same or different spring forces F. Fig. 14 shows a schematic exploded view of the patient interface holder 14. It can be seen that, in the illustrated embodiment, the camera system 24 can be plugged into the connecting device 22 and screwed to the first assembly 80a. The assembly 80b carries the spring-loaded locking elements 76a'-c', which are mounted in their housings 86. The intake channel 62 with the male connector 47, which is connected to the vacuum hose 36, is also visible. The illumination device 26, comprising four LEDs in this case, is also clearly visible. It is integrated into the third assembly 80c and is electrically supplied via its connecting cables 34. Fig. 15 shows a schematic exploded view of the first assembly 80a of the patient interface holder 14 from a low angle. The non-spring-loaded, but rigidly mounted, detent elements 76a-c are particularly visible and are inserted into corresponding mounting openings in the first assembly 80a. Four screws 88 are also shown as fastening means, by means of which the assemblies 80a-c are screwed together. It is understood that other fastening means, a different number of fastening means, and a different orientation of the fastening means may also be provided. Fig. 16 shows a schematic exploded view of the second assembly 80b of the patient interface holder 14. Only the housings 86 of the spring-loaded locking elements 76a'-c' of the locking device 82 are shown; these are inserted into corresponding mounting openings of the second assembly 80b. It is also evident that the vacuum hose 36 is connected to the male connector 47 and inserted into the intake channel 62. The connector 47 is in turn actuated by another spring-loaded locking element 76d', of which only the housing 86 is shown. The housing 86 of this locking element 76d' is secured to the second assembly 80b by means of a clamp 90. Fig. 17 shows a schematic and partial sectional view from above of the intake channel 62 of the patient interface holder 14 and a part of the fluid guidance device 60 of the patient interface 12 coupled to the patient interface holder 14. Due to the engagement of the male connector 47 with the female connector 45, the patient interface holder 14 and the patient interface 12 are fluidically coupled, so that the patient interface 12 can be held in contact with the patient's eye by means of a relative negative pressure generated by a suction device connected to the vacuum hose 36. The female connector 45 has an inner cone in which, in the coupled state, a corresponding outer cone of the male connector 47 is arranged.The outer and inner cones have a contact angle of approximately 12°, ensuring a gas-tight connection and enabling quick and easy coupling and decoupling with a force of no more than approximately 2 N via axial movement along the coupling path K. Although the male connector 47 and the female connector 45 could be interchanged, the arrangement of the female connector 45 on the patient interface 12 shown here has the advantage of reducing the risk of contamination between unpacking and coupling the patient interface 12, as the contact surface of the female connector 45 is less exposed to the environment than that of a male connector 47. By reducing the risk of contamination, potential hygiene problems and subsequent connection issues are avoided.While the male connecting piece 47 is in direct contact with the wall of the female connecting piece 45, some play is allowed in the area designated by arrow XVII. As can be seen in Fig. 18, which shows a schematic and partially transparent perspective view of the area of ​​the patient interface system 10 shown in Fig. 17, the male connector 47 is floatingly mounted and movable in all three spatial directions, with the connector 47 being pressed towards the female connector 45 by the locking element 76d'. This allows for a particularly reliable and gas-tight connection while compensating for any manufacturing tolerances. For further clarification, Fig. 19 shows a schematic sectional view of the connector 47 engaging with the female connector 45 of the patient interface 12. Fig. 20 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the patient interface 12. The suction opening 64, into which the connector 54 opens, is particularly visible. It is also evident that the suction cup part 58 has a circumferential collar 100 into which the interface body 42 is inserted and bonded. The design of the collar 100 provides self-centering during assembly. Since the collar 100 has both a horizontal section, on which the interface body 42 rests, and a vertical section, its geometric design allows for the compensation of horizontal and vertical tolerances. The collar 100 also acts as a reservoir for excess adhesive, ensuring that capillary action draws the adhesive into the gap between the interface body 42 and the suction cup part 58.This ensures a high-quality, material-bonded connection between both assemblies of the patient interface 12. Fig. 21 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a collection container 50 and is explained below in conjunction with Fig. 22, which shows a schematic perspective view of the collection container 50 equipped with the filter element 46. Fig. 21 shows that the mounting opening 48 for the filter element 46 is asymmetrical and has a circumferential rim 102. When the collection container 50 with the filter element 46 is inserted into its associated mounting opening 52 of the interface body 42 and heated, this rim 102 collapses, thereby reducing the gap between the collection container 50 and the interface body 42 and clamping the filter element 46 securely and fluid-tightly between the two parts. Fig. 23 shows a schematic perspective view of the patient interface 12 in the area of ​​its mounting opening 52 for the collection container 50. The walls of the interface body 42, which define the mounting opening 52, have ribs 108 facing outwards on one side and inwards on the other, so that the collection container 50, which has complementary ribs 108, can be inserted into the mounting opening 52 without tilting. A contact surface 106 of the patient interface 12 has a circumferential lip 104 on its inner circumference, which, in the assembled state, contributes to the lateral sealing of the filter element 46 together with the rim 102. Fluid can therefore only flow from the connector 54 through the collection container 50, the filter element 46, and the connector 54. Fig. 24 shows a schematic perspective view of the patient interface 12, with the collection container 50 arranged and fixed in the mounting opening 52. Fig. 25 shows a schematic sectional view of the collection container 50 in the area of ​​its connection piece 54. The connection piece 54 has a mounting channel 110 in which an end section of the vacuum hose 56 is arranged. Starting from an insertion opening whose inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the vacuum hose 56, the mounting channel 110 has an inner diameter that decreases in three stages along a mounting direction XXV. In the first section S1, which serves for fixing, the inner diameter of the mounting channel 110 is, as mentioned, larger than the outer diameter of the vacuum hose 56 and is coated with an adhesive for assembly. In the second section S2, which serves for positioning, the inner diameter of the mounting channel 110 is only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the vacuum hose 56, thus centering the vacuum hose 56 in the mounting channel 110.In the third section S3, which also serves for positioning, the inner diameter of the mounting channel 110 is smaller than the outer diameter of the vacuum hose 56. The vacuum hose 56 is thus inserted into the mounting channel 110 until it stops in the third section S3, thereby ensuring correct axial positioning. It is understood that the connecting piece 54 of the suction cup part 58 can be designed analogously. The parameter values ​​specified in the documents for defining process and measurement conditions for characterizing specific properties of the subject matter of the invention are also to be considered as included in the scope of the invention in the event of deviations - for example due to DIN tolerances and the like. Reference symbol list 10 Patient interface system 12 Patient interface 14 Patient interface holder 16 Holding device 18 Guide device 20 Second positioning device 22 Connection device 24 Camera system 26 Lighting device 28 Contact body 30 First positioning device 32 Light source 34 Connection cable 36 Vacuum hose 38 Channel 40 Window 42 Interface body 44 Holder 45 Connector 46 Filter element 47 Connector 48 Mounting opening 50 Collection container 52 Mounting opening 54 Connector 56 Vacuum hose 58 Suction cup part 60 Fluid guide device 62 Suction channel 64 Suction opening 66 Cavity 68 Teeth 70 Mounting ribs 72a Detent surface 72b Detent surface 72c Detent surface 72a' Detent surface 72b' Detent surface 72c' Detent surface 74a Ramp 74b Ramp 76a Detent body 76b Detent body 76c Detent element 76a' Spring-loaded detent element 76b' Spring-loaded detent element 76c' Spring-loaded detent element 76d' Spring-loaded detent element 78 Collar 80a Assembly 80b Assembly 80c Assembly 82Locking device 84 Springs 86 Housing 88 Screws 90 Clamp 100 Collar 102 Edge 104 Lip 106 Contact surface 108 Ribs 110 Mounting channel P Optical path K Coupling path L Laser radiation F Spring force

Claims

Patient interface system (10) for positioning a patient's eye relative to a laser device for laser surgery, comprising a patient interface (12) for coupling to the patient's eye and a patient interface holder (14) for arranging the patient interface (12) on the laser device, wherein the patient interface (12) has a first positioning device (30) for placing the patient interface (12) on the patient's eye;and- the patient interface holder (14) comprises a holding device (16) by means of which the patient interface (12) can be reversibly coupled to the patient interface holder (14), wherein the patient interface holder (14) has a suction channel (62) connectable to a suction device and the patient interface (12) has a fluid guidance device (60), wherein the patient interface holder (14) and the fluid guidance device (60) of the patient interface (12) together form a fluid path in the coupled state, which fluidically couples the suction channel (62) to a suction opening (64) of the patient interface (12) in the region of the first positioning device (30) in order to keep the first positioning device (30) in contact with the patient's eye by means of a relative negative pressure generated by the suction device, characterized in that the fluid guidance device (60) of the patient interface (12) has at least one filter element (46) in the fluid path includes; Patient interface system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the intake channel (62) of the patient interface holder (14) comprises a male connecting piece (47) which, in the coupled state, engages in a corresponding female connecting piece (45) of the patient interface (12). Patient interface system (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the female connector (45) has an inner cone in which, in the coupled state, a corresponding outer cone of the male connector (47) is arranged. Patient interface system (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer cone and / or the inner cone has a contact angle of between 8° and 20°. Patient interface system (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the male connecting piece (47) is angled and / or arranged in a groove of the patient interface holder (14) and / or is subjected to force with a spring-loaded locking element. Patient interface system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fluid guidance device (60) of the patient interface (12) comprises at least one collection container (50). Patient interface system (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the collection container (50) is inserted into a corresponding mounting opening (52) of the patient interface (12) and / or that the collection container (50) has a volume of at least 80 mm3. Patient interface system (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the filter element (46) is arranged in a mounting opening (48) of the collection container (50). Patient interface system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the fluid guidance device (60) comprises a vacuum hose (56). Patient interface system (10) according to one of claims 6 to 8 and claim 9, characterized in that the collection container (50) comprises a connecting piece (54) in which a first end region of the vacuum hose (56) is arranged. Patient interface system (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the fluid guidance device (60) comprises a connecting piece (54) in which a second end region of the vacuum hose (56) is arranged and which opens into the suction opening (64). Patient interface system (10) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one connector (54) has a mounting channel (110) in which the vacuum hose (56) is arranged in a certain area, wherein the mounting channel (110) has an inner diameter that decreases at least in certain areas continuously and / or stepwise along a mounting direction (XXV) starting from an insertion opening whose inner diameter corresponds to at least an outer diameter of the vacuum hose (56). Method for coupling a patient interface (12) of a patient interface system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12 with a patient interface holder (14) of a patient interface system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the patient interface (12) is moved relative to the patient interface holder (14) until the suction channel (62) of the patient interface holder (14) and the fluid guidance device (60) of the patient interface (12) are fluidically coupled and together form a fluid path which fluidly couples the suction channel (62) with the suction opening (64) of the patient interface (12) in the area of ​​the first positioning device (30) in order to keep the first positioning device (30) in contact with the patient's eye by means of a relative negative pressure generated by the suction device. Patient interface (12) for a patient interface system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the patient interface (12) has a fluid guidance device (60) which, in the coupled state with the patient interface holder (14) of the patient interface system (10), together with a suction channel (62) of the patient interface holder (14) connectable to a suction device, forms a fluid path which fluidly couples the suction channel (62) to a suction opening (64) of the patient interface (12) in the area of ​​the first positioning device (30) in order to keep the first positioning device (30) of the patient interface (12) in contact with the patient's eye by means of a relative negative pressure generated by the suction device, wherein the fluid guidance device (60) of the patient interface (12) comprises at least one filter element (46). Patient interface holder (14) for a patient interface system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the patient interface holder (14) has a suction channel (62) connectable to a suction device, wherein the suction channel (62) and the fluid guidance device (60) of the patient interface (12) together form a fluid path in the coupled state, which fluidically couples the suction channel (62) of the patient interface (12) with a suction opening (64) of the patient interface (12) in the area of ​​the first positioning device (30) in order to keep the first positioning device (30) of the patient interface (12) in contact with the patient's eye by means of a relative negative pressure generated by the suction device.

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