Corneal Irradiation Device with Limbus Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for irradiating the cornea to cross-link collagen fibrils often cause pain and erosion due to suction on the corneal surface, and may inaccurately target the eye during movement.
Innovation Solution
A device with a ring body and irradiation channel that attaches to the eye outside the corneal area, using a light source within the ring body to emit radiation without direct contact, ensuring the irradiation area is not covered by bearing surfaces, thus preventing erosion and allowing for precise targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a molding body is placed on the cornea for irradiation, then the refractive power can be precisely changed, but the suction on the corneal surface causes corneal erosion and pain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful suction function from the irradiation device by positioning the bearing surface outside the corneal area. The device attaches to the eye at the limbus or sclera rather than on the cornea itself, eliminating the source of corneal erosion while maintaining precise irradiation capability through the corneal apex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional contact approach (molding body on cornea) to a three-dimensional positioning approach (ring body at limbus/sclera with central irradiation channel). This spatial reconfiguration allows the bearing surface and irradiation area to be separated, eliminating corneal suction while maintaining precise optical alignment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the device attaches to the eye outside the corneal area, then corneal erosion is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to the ring body structure
Solution Approach 1:
The ring body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the bearing surface for attachment at the limbus/sclera, defines the irradiation channel geometry, positions the light source, and establishes the optical alignment reference. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting complexity despite the enhanced protective design.
3Measurement precision
If the eye moves during irradiation, then the irradiation accuracy decreases, but adding fixation mechanisms increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the eye's own anatomy (limbus and sclera) as the fixation reference. The bearing surface at the limbus/sclera provides a stable attachment point that moves with the eye, maintaining consistent alignment of the irradiation channel with the corneal apex without requiring active tracking or complex fixation mechanisms.
4Device complexity
If the bearing surface is inside the irradiation channel, then the device structure is simplified, but the suction causes corneal surface damage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the bearing surface inside the irradiation channel (conventional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the bearing surface outside the corneal area at the limbus or sclera. This inversion separates the attachment function from the irradiation function, eliminating corneal damage while maintaining structural efficiency.
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
The device effectively cross-links collagen fibrils without causing pain or erosion, maintaining the integrity of the corneal surface and ensuring accurate irradiation despite eye movement.
Implementation Method 1
a light source which, in the operational state of the device, is attached inside the ring body for emitting light into the irradiation channel
Implementation Method 2
The state of the art involves corneal cross-linking of the collagen fibrils of the cornea by introducing riboflavin into the corneal stroma combined with UV-A irradiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for irradiating the cornea (2) of an eye (1). The device comprises at least the following elements: an annular body (20) which has a contact surface (28, 30) formed concentrically about a longitudinal axis (3) of the device for the purpose of fixing the device to the eye (1); an irradiation channel (26) for irradiating the cornea (2), said channel being located within the annular body (20); and a light source (23) which is mounted within the annular body (20) in an operational state of the device in order to emit light into the irradiation channel (26); wherein the contact surface (28, 30) is arranged outside the irradiation channel (26) in order to fix the device such that the irradiated surface is not additionally stressed by contact surfaces of the device.