Angled Illumination System for Ophthalmic Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmological analysis devices face challenges in achieving optimal illumination of the cornea during intraocular pressure measurement due to obstruction by the actuating device's nozzle, leading to compromised illumination quality and increased design complexity.
Innovation Solution
The illumination system is arranged laterally relative to the actuating device, with the illumination beam path aligned at an angle α to the optical axis, allowing unobstructed projection of a light slit and enabling improved illumination quality and compact design, while using two lighting devices and a filter device to manage brightness and reduce dazzling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the illumination device is arranged on the optical axis to project light slit directly onto the cornea, then the illumination quality is improved, but the nozzle of the actuating device obstructs the light path
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device is relocated from the optical axis (one-dimensional arrangement) to a lateral position (introducing a second dimension). The illumination beam path is angled at α relative to the optical axis, allowing the light slit to project onto the cornea without being obstructed by the nozzle, thus resolving the spatial conflict between illumination and actuation components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the illumination device is arranged laterally at an angle to the optical axis, then the obstruction by the nozzle is avoided, but the illumination quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device parameters are optimized for oblique illumination at angle α. The optical system includes lenses and diaphragms specifically configured to maintain adequate illumination intensity and create a well-defined light slit despite the angled beam path. This ensures that the lateral arrangement does not significantly compromise illumination quality.
3Illumination intensity
If the actuating device is arranged outside the optical axis, then the illumination path is cleared, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device and actuating device are merged into a common housing structure. The lateral arrangement of the illumination device at angle α allows both systems to coexist in a compact configuration without requiring separate mounting structures or complex spatial arrangements, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a light slit is projected through the nozzle opening, then the obstruction is partially overcome, but the light slit does not project directly and without interference
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device is extracted from the nozzle structure and positioned laterally at angle α. This separation eliminates the interference between the light path and nozzle opening, allowing the light slit to be projected directly onto the cornea without passing through the nozzle, thereby ensuring high projection accuracy and eliminating the need for complex alignment through the nozzle opening.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the quality of sectional images, allows for precise measurement of intraocular pressure, and facilitates a more compact and user-friendly device design, reducing the risk of dazzling and enabling independent servicing of the lighting system.
Implementation Method 1
the eye being illuminated with an illumination system during the deformation of the cornea in such a way that the aforementioned deformation stages can be derived from the recorded light reflections of the cornea
Implementation Method 2
an actuating device with which an air blast for deforming a cornea can be applied to the eye in the direction of an optical axis of the eye
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The lighting system (10) has an operating device (11) with an air blast for the deformation of cornea (14) on the eye (22), towards an optical axis (15) of the eye. An illumination device (23) illuminates the cornea of the eye with light gap (25), in such a manner that the optical axis matching lighting plane (26) is produced in a sectional portion (27). An aligned illumination beam path (28) is formed for illuminating the eye. The illumination device is arranged at an angle relative to the optical axis. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) ophthalmic analyzer; and (2) lighting method.