Free-Floating Patient Interface for Laser Beam Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser eye surgery systems face challenges in accommodating patient movement while maintaining alignment of the electromagnetic treatment beam, leading to increased complexity and cost due to rigid support structures that may not fully prevent relative movement between the patient and the system.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface assembly that includes a scanner and support assemblies to accommodate three-dimensional relative translation, allowing the scanner to move with the patient while maintaining beam alignment through a free-floating mechanism with reflectors and solenoid brake assemblies to inhibit relative movement during positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid support structures are used to prevent patient movement, then beam alignment is maintained, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the support assemblies movable rather than rigid. The first support assembly is configured to move relative to the base assembly in a first direction, and the second support assembly moves relative to the first support assembly in a second direction. This dynamic configuration allows the scanner to follow patient movement while maintaining beam alignment, eliminating the need for complex rigid restraint systems.
2Reliability
If rigid support structures are used to prevent patient movement, then beam alignment is maintained, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces cost by replacing expensive rigid support structures with simpler movable support assemblies. The first support assembly moves on guides relative to the base assembly, and the second support assembly moves on guides relative to the first support assembly. This dynamic approach maintains beam alignment through natural movement following rather than rigid constraint, simplifying manufacturing and reducing system cost.
3Reliability
If contact lens restraint is used to inhibit eye movement, then beam alignment is maintained, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates patient discomfort by removing contact lens restraints entirely. Instead, the dynamic support assemblies follow patient head and eye movements naturally. The first support assembly moves with patient head movement, and the second support assembly moves with eye movement, maintaining beam alignment without any physical restraint on the patient.
4Reliability
If dedicated patient restraint assembly is used, then patient movement is inhibited, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex dedicated patient restraint assemblies with simpler movable support assemblies that follow patient movement. The first support assembly translates relative to the base assembly, and the second support assembly translates relative to the first support assembly, creating a cascading motion system that maintains alignment without rigid constraints.
5Reliability
If rigid support of optical path components is used, then beam alignment is maintained, but adaptability to patient movement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves both beam alignment and adaptability through dynamic support assemblies. The first support assembly moves relative to the base assembly, and the second support assembly moves relative to the first support assembly, allowing the optical path components to adapt to patient movement while maintaining proper beam alignment through their coordinated motion.
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
This solution enables easier use of laser surgery systems by allowing patient movement while maintaining beam alignment, reducing system complexity and cost by avoiding the need for rigid patient restraints and ensuring adequate movement ranges are available during treatment.
Implementation Method 1
solenoid brake assemblies to inhibit relative movement during positioning
Implementation Method 2
free-floating mechanism with reflectors
Data Source
AI summary
A method of accommodating patient movement in a laser surgery system with a scanner. The scanner is configured to be coupled with an eye interface device and operable to scan an electromagnetic radiation beam in at least two dimensions in an eye interfaced with the eye interface device. The scanner and the eye interface device move in conjunction with movement of the eye. A first support assembly supports the scanner so as to accommodate relative movement between the scanner and the first support assembly parallel so as to accommodate movement of the eye. A beam source generates the electromagnetic radiation beam. The electromagnetic radiation beam propagates from the beam source to the scanner along an optical path having an optical path length that varies in response to movement of the eye.