Eye Guard With Sponge-Like Laser Absorbing Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective eye guards for patients during surgery do not adequately address the protection from both laser beams and the risk of eye dryness, as they rely on reflective metal foils and cotton gauze which may not effectively absorb laser energy or maintain moisture.
Innovation Solution
A protective eye guard featuring a flexible facial mask with sponge-like material chambers that absorb and absorb laser beam energy, combined with a transparent eye cover and metallic shielding to prevent laser exposure, and an adhesive layer for secure fit, along with a sponge-like material that can expand to absorb liquid and maintain eye moisture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If reflective metal foil is used for the facial mask, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the laser beam protection capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining reflective metal foil with sponge-like laser-absorbing material. The metal foil provides structural integrity and basic reflection, while the sponge-like material absorbs laser energy through its porous structure, creating a synergistic protective effect that addresses both manufacturing simplicity and enhanced laser protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sponge-like material utilized in the patent features a porous structure that enables it to absorb laser beam energy through capillary action and internal surface area interactions. This porous characteristic allows the material to convert optical energy into thermal energy, providing effective laser protection while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard material processing.
2Ease of manufacture
If cotton gauze is used for eye pads, then the material is simple and inexpensive, but the moisture retention capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sponge-like material replaces traditional cotton gauze, utilizing its porous structure to absorb and retain moisture through capillary action. The porous network maintains moisture within the eye pad structure, preventing evaporation and ensuring sustained moisture retention for eye protection during surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the eye pad material by transitioning from non-porous cotton gauze to porous sponge-like material. This parameter change enhances the moisture retention capacity while maintaining ease of manufacture, as the sponge material can be processed using standard medical supply manufacturing techniques.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealed facial mask is used to protect eyes, then laser protection is improved, but the risk of eye dryness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sponge-like material serves dual functions: it absorbs laser energy through its porous structure while simultaneously absorbing and retaining moisture to prevent eye dryness. The porous network allows moisture absorption without creating a sealed barrier that would trap heat and exacerbate dryness, thus addressing both laser protection and moisture maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from traditional non-absorbent eye pads to sponge-like material with high absorption capacity. This parameter change enables the eye pad to actively manage moisture levels, preventing dryness while maintaining the sealed protection necessary for laser beam shielding during surgery.
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
Effectively shields patients' eyes from laser beams and prevents dryness by using absorbent sponge-like materials and transparent eye covers that allow for liquid absorption and energy dissipation, ensuring prolonged protection during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a sponge-like material disposed in each chamber between the eye cover and the layer of shielding material for absorbing a liquid that disperses and absorbs the energy of a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a layer of shielding material overlying each said opening and disposed for shielding said at least one of the patient's eyes from a laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A protective eye guard includes a flexible facial mask, a pair of eye covers, a sponge-like material and a layer of shielding material. The facial mask is configured and sized to overlay the portion of a patient's face surrounding the eyes and has a pair of openings overlying the eyes. The eye covers overlie the openings in the facial mask. Within the openings, a pair of enclosed chambers overlying the patient's eyes are defined beneath the respective eye covers. The sponge-like material is disposed in each chamber for absorbing a liquid that disperses and absorbs the energy of a laser beam. The layer of shielding material is an aluminum foil, which is disposed beneath the sponge-like material and overlies the openings for shielding the patient's eyes from the liquid and for also further shielding the patient's eyes from said laser beam.