Elliptical Ocular Suction Ring for Even Pressure Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic laser treatment systems face issues with patient comfort, uneven pressure distribution, eye movement stabilization, and limited accommodation for various eye sizes due to their circular design, leading to discomfort and potential damage during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A liquid patient interface with an elliptical ocular suction ring that provides a larger contact area, minimizes force on the eye surface, and uses radial ribs to distribute suction pressure evenly, combined with a disposable optical patient interface and ocular force sensor for controlled pressure application and fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a circular liquid patient interface is used, then the device structure is simple, but the pressure distribution on the patient eye surface is uneven and patient comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from a circular liquid patient interface to an elliptical shape. The elliptical interface has different dimensions along its major and minor axes, allowing it to conform better to the anatomical curvature of the patient's eye. This asymmetric design distributes suction pressure more evenly across the eye surface, improving patient comfort while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard molding processes.
2Device complexity
If a circular liquid patient interface is used, then the device design is straightforward, but it does not accommodate patients with limited cornea exposure and small eyelid openings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the liquid patient interface from a fixed circular shape to an elliptical shape with adjustable major and minor axis dimensions. This allows the interface to be scaled and shaped to accommodate various patient anatomies, including those with limited cornea exposure or small eyelid openings, while maintaining a relatively simple overall device design.
3Volume of moving object
If a narrow band attachment is used, then the device is compact, but it creates discomfort and potential damage to the patient eye surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by expanding the attachment interface from a narrow one-dimensional band to a two-dimensional elliptical surface. This elliptical interface covers a larger area of the patient's eye surface, distributing the suction force across multiple dimensions rather than concentrating it along a narrow band. This reduces the risk of corneal folds, edema, and other eye surface damage while maintaining device compactness.
4Device complexity
If suction is applied to only one area of the PES, then the device structure is simple, but PES stability is insufficient and saccadic eye movements affect the target area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the suction application into multiple zones within the elliptical liquid patient interface. The interface includes a first suction area and a second suction area positioned at different locations on the patient's eye surface. This segmented suction distribution stabilizes the eye in multiple directions, preventing saccadic movements and maintaining target area stability during laser treatment, while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.
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 solution enhances patient comfort, reduces eye movement artifacts, and minimizes the risk of damage during ophthalmic laser treatments by distributing pressure evenly and controlling fluid levels, accommodating a range of eye sizes and forms.
Implementation Method 1
ocular suction ring (OSR) that provides a larger contact area, minimizes force on the eye surface
Implementation Method 2
ocular force sensor for controlled pressure application
Data Source
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AI summary
An ophthalmic laser treatment system and method providing for a liquid optical interface (LOI) with a patient eye surface (PES) using an elliptical ocular suction ring (OSR) is disclosed, A disposable ocular patient- interface (OPI) provides for simultaneous differential vacuum mating of the PES, OSR, OPI, and an optical, window retainer (OWR). The PES, OSR, OPI, and OWR form an enclosed volume in which liquid may be interjected to cover the PES during laser treatment. A vacuum suction pump (VSP) provides controlled vacuum to the OPI ensuring proper differential vacuum mating (DVM) between the PES, OSR : OPI, and OWR during laser treatment. The OWR connects to a laser objective bracket (LOB) via an ocular force sensor (OFS) and an optical separator bracket (OSS). The OFS senses applied pressure to the PES and provides data to a computerized control device (CCD) that limits applied pressure to the PES during laser treatment.