Ophthalmic Cassette Light Interference Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ophthalmic surgical consoles face challenges in decoding barcodes and accurately reading fluid levels due to external light interference, which can disrupt the proper functioning of barcode readers and fluid level sensors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Level Sensor Barcode Reader (LSBR) with a CMOS sensor camera that captures grayscale images of barcodes and fluid levels, using independent internal light sources and processing pixel brightness values to detect and mitigate external light interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional barcode readers and fluid level sensors are used in ophthalmic surgical consoles, then basic functionality is maintained, but external light interference disrupts proper functioning and measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism - a camera that captures images of the barcode and fluid level indicators. This camera acts as a mediator between the light sources and the decoding/sensing systems, allowing the system to detect external light interference through image analysis rather than direct sensor exposure to interfering light.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by analyzing captured images to detect external light conditions and generating advisories to operators. The image processing system provides feedback about lighting conditions, enabling the console to respond appropriately by suspending critical functions when interference is detected, thus maintaining reliability.
2Measurement precision
If independent internal light sources are used to illuminate barcodes and fluid levels, then reliable image capture is achieved, but system complexity increases due to the need for multiple light sources and synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the illumination system into separate, independent light sources - one for barcode illumination and another for fluid level illumination. This segmentation allows each light source to be optimized for its specific function and enables independent control, ensuring that barcode scanning and fluid level monitoring can occur under optimal lighting conditions without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic activation of light sources synchronized with camera capture cycles. By turning light sources on and off in coordination with image capture, the system ensures proper illumination only when needed, reducing overall complexity while maintaining measurement precision during active sensing periods.
3Reliability
If external light interference is detected and critical functions are suspended, then safety and reliability are improved, but productivity decreases due to operational interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of external light interference through continuous or periodic image analysis before critical functions are affected. By detecting interference conditions in advance, the system can proactively suspend functions only when necessary, rather than reacting after problems occur, thus maintaining reliability while minimizing interruptions to productivity.
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 solution effectively prevents external light interference from affecting barcode decoding and fluid level sensing, ensuring reliable operation of ophthalmic surgical consoles by generating advisories to users and suspending critical functions until interference is resolved.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor disposed within the surgical console detecting external light by capturing a grayscale image of a barcode area of the surgical cassette and processing pixel brightness values of the grayscale image
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a surgical console, a surgical cassette, and a method for utilizing an image sensor to acquire grayscale image(s) and an embedded microcontroller to then process the image(s) to decode the barcode and/or determine the current level of fluid within the surgical cassette. The image sensor is utilized to detect external light that comes into the field of view of the image sensor. A software algorithm stored within a microcontroller in the surgical console determines whether the potential is high for external light interference. If there is a high potential for external light interference, an advisory or alarm is generated to warn the user to remove the external light source or to turn the console away from the external light source. Once the user has removed the external light and then cleared the advisory, normal console operations and functions can resume.