Eye Suction Ring With Fluid Vessel For Intraocular Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eye surgery suction rings face challenges with intraocular pressure management and positioning accuracy, which can lead to treatment errors or injuries due to mechanical forces and optical aberrations caused by applanation elements.

Innovation Solution

A suction ring device with a vessel element that holds a fluid with a refractive index matching the cornea, ensuring secure sealing and minimizing optical aberrations, and featuring multiple suction areas with adjustable negative pressure to manage intraocular pressure and improve positioning precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a suction ring with applanation elements is used to fix the eye, then positioning is achieved, but intraocular pressure increases causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidintraocular pressure damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction ring is divided into multiple independent suction areas (first suction area for positioning, second suction area for corneal contact) that can be controlled separately. This allows the positioning function to be achieved without excessive pressure on the cornea, as each area operates at optimized pressure levels for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A fluid-filled vessel element is introduced as an intermediary between the suction ring and the cornea. This fluid medium distributes pressure more evenly and prevents direct mechanical contact that would cause high localized intraocular pressure, while still maintaining secure positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If applanation elements are used to secure the cornea, then stable positioning is achieved, but optical aberrations are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidoptical precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid-filled vessel element acts as an optical intermediary with a refractive index matching the cornea. This eliminates the air-cornea interface that causes optical aberrations, while the fluid pressure maintains stable positioning of the cornea against the suction ring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid in the vessel element is selected to have a refractive index homogeneous with that of the cornea. This optical homogeneity eliminates refraction and reflection at the interface, preventing optical aberrations while maintaining mechanical stability through fluid pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Measurement precision

If mechanical forces are applied to hold the suction ring, then positioning is achieved, but treatment errors or injuries may occur due to head movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidtreatment safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction ring incorporates multiple independently controllable suction areas that can be adjusted to maintain positioning despite head movement. The distributed suction forces provide more stable attachment than a single pressure point, reducing the impact of mechanical disturbances during treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides secure coupling to the eye with reduced risk of injury and optical aberrations, ensuring precise and safe laser treatment by maintaining a stable and controlled environment for the cornea during eye surgery.

Implementation Method 1

a suction area designed to draw the suction ring to the eye by generating negative pressure in the suction area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

holding a fluid with a refractive index matching the cornea, ensuring secure sealing and minimizing optical aberrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

Pulsed laser radiation is used in eye surgery... The laser radiation causes a photodisruptive or photoablative process in the corneal tissue, leading to tissue separation or removal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotodisruption: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 4

Pulsed laser radiation is used in eye surgery, for example, to make incisions in the cornea or to remove (ablate) corneal tissue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP2133048B1Apparatus for connecting an element to an eye
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 WAVELIGHT AG
  • EP2133048B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP2133048B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2133048B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The eye suction device (2) has a suction area (6), which is formed to suck the suction ring onto an eye (18) in the insert and a functional element (12). The eye suction device or the functional element comprises another suction area, which is formed to suck the function element to the suction device in the insert.