Eye Stabilizing Element Alignment for Laser Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refractive laser surgery systems face challenges in precisely aligning the patient's eye with the laser system, particularly due to involuntary eye movements during surgery, which can lead to alignment errors and safety concerns when direct contact is used, and there is a need for a system that can stabilize the eye without physical contact while ensuring patient safety and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a motorized chair with a computer-controlled platform, an eye stabilizing element with a curved lens and vacuum subsystem, and an alignment device that engages with the eye stabilizing element to maintain optical alignment using suction forces, monitored by pressure sensors to prevent excessive force on the eye, allowing for precise alignment and stabilization without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the patient's eye is placed in direct contact with the laser system for stabilization, then alignment precision is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to excessive interactive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary stabilization mechanism that couples the eye to the laser system without direct contact. This mediator allows precise alignment to be maintained while eliminating the harmful interactive forces that occur when the eye is directly held against the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical direct-contact stabilization system with an alternative mechanism that achieves the same alignment precision without physical contact. This substitution eliminates the force-related safety issues while preserving the alignment benefits.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the patient's eye is allowed to move independently without direct contact, then patient safety is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary mechanism that enables the eye to remain independent and safe from direct contact forces, while simultaneously maintaining precise optical alignment through the mediating structure that couples the eye position to the laser system.
3Measurement precision
If the laser system is reconfigured for each patient to establish optical alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary positioning actions that establish the eye's location relative to the laser system before surgery begins. This preliminary setup maintains alignment precision without requiring complex reconfiguration during the procedure, reducing both device complexity and operation time.
4Measurement precision
If the eye is held stationary during laser surgery, then alignment precision is improved, but patient comfort and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary stabilization mechanism that provides the alignment stability needed for precise surgery while avoiding direct contact with the eye, thereby maintaining patient comfort and safety throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical direct-contact eye-holding system with an alternative stabilization mechanism that achieves the same alignment stability without compromising patient comfort or safety.
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 system effectively stabilizes the eye and maintains precise alignment with the laser system, reducing alignment errors and ensuring patient safety by minimizing interactive forces, making the procedure more efficient and safer while being easy to use and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
an eye stabilizing element which is placed in direct contact with the anterior surface of the cornea of the patient's eye
Data Source
AI summary
A system for positioning the eye of a patient, relative to a stationary surgical laser unit, includes a chair for moving the patient. An eye stabilizing element is held against the eye, with a tapered receptacle extending outwardly therefrom. Also, an alignment device with a tapered tip is mounted on the surgical laser unit. In operation, the patient is moved to engage the receptacle of the eye stabilizing element with the tip of the alignment device, to thereby align the patient's eye with the surgical laser unit for laser surgery.