Eye-Imaging Lens Tip Cover for Leak-Free Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning the lens of eye-imaging devices are inefficient, often leading to damage and inadequate contact time for cleaning solutions, resulting in incomplete cleaning and potential damage to the lens.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising an annular base with a contact member and a top region is used to attach to the eye-imaging device, enclosing a cleaning solution to ensure sufficient contact time and prevent leakage, allowing for easy removal without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a tool is used to remove dirt from the lens, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the lens surface may be scratched or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful tool-contact mechanism and replaces it with a tool-free cleaning approach. A polymer solution is applied directly to the lens surface, allowed to dwell and polymerize, then the entire polymer film with embedded contaminants is removed in one piece by peeling the tip cover, eliminating the need for scratching tools that could damage the conical lens surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and chemical composition of the cleaning medium. Instead of using mechanical tools, a polymer solution is applied that transitions from liquid to solid polymer film through drying and polymerization. This parameter change enables contaminant removal through film peeling rather than mechanical scratching, preventing lens surface damage.
2Manufacturing precision
If cleaning solution is applied to the lens, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the solution may drip or fall off leading to uneven polymer film and cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The tip cover serves as an intermediary containment structure. It is peeled back to apply the polymer solution directly onto the lens surface, then folded forward to enclose and contain the solution during the dwell time. This intermediary mechanism prevents solution leakage and cross-contamination while ensuring sufficient contact time for effective cleaning and uniform polymer film formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip cover functions as a flexible shell that can be peeled back and folded forward to enclose the lens surface. This flexible enclosure contains the polymer solution, preventing it from dripping or falling off the lens, thereby avoiding cross-contamination of other device regions and ensuring uniform polymer film formation.
3Manufacturing precision
If cleaning solution is applied to the lens, then dirt removal is improved, but insufficient contact time results in inadequate cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The tip cover acts as an intermediary enclosure that traps the polymer solution on the lens surface. After peeling back to apply the solution, the cover is folded forward to create a enclosed space, preventing the solution from evaporating or dripping too quickly. This intermediary enclosure extends the contact time, allowing sufficient dwell time for the polymer solution to effectively remove dirt and debris from the lens surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tip cover enclosure maintains the polymer solution on the lens surface for an extended period. By folding the cover forward to enclose the lens, the solution is contained and prevented from quickly evaporating or dripping away, thereby ensuring adequate contact time for effective contaminant removal and uniform polymer film formation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an apparatus that can be attached to a tip portion of an eye-imaging device including the lens. The apparatus includes an annular base having an orifice having a first end and a second end. A contact member may be disposed adjacent the second end of the annular base. The contact member may include a contact surface having a geometry that is configured to fit on a tip of an eye-imaging device. For example, the contact surface may include a tapered region that matches the profile of a tip of an eye-imaging device. The tapered region may provide a frictional fit with a tip of the eye-imaging device such that the contact surface is flush with the surface of the tip. A solution can be deposited in the apparatus and onto a lens surface after it is attached to the tip of the eye-imaging device. In this way, the apparatus prevents any solution from leaking to other areas of the eye-imaging device to clean the lens surface of the eye-imaging device.