Integrated Patient Interface Device for Laser Eye Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient interface devices for laser eye surgery are cumbersome to assemble, often require awkward vacuum lines, and struggle to provide consistent and glare-free illumination to the surgical area, complicating the stabilization and visualization of the patient's eye during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface device with a single, integrated structure that includes a light guiding structure with a light receiving and emitting interface to provide precise illumination, eliminating the need for external vacuum lines and enhancing the alignment of the applanating lens with the laser surgery apparatus, while using a flexible membrane and vacuum channels for stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing patient interface devices use multiple pieces with connectors, then the device can be assembled, but the assembly process becomes difficult and time-consuming, especially when the patient is nervous and under sedation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (applanating lens, vacuum interface, light guiding structure, and docking interface) into a single integrated patient interface device. This eliminates the need for connectors and multiple assembly steps, allowing the device to be quickly and easily applied to the patient's eye even when the patient is nervous or under sedation.
2Reliability
If existing patient interface devices use vacuum lines to create vacuum force, then the vacuum can be applied to stabilize the patient's eye, but the vacuum lines become awkward and unwieldy, requiring extra connection steps and repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum interface is integrated directly into the patient interface device housing, eliminating the need for external vacuum lines and hoses. The housing itself defines a chamber that receives the patient's eye, and vacuum channels within the housing deliver vacuum force directly to the applanating lens, simplifying the overall system and removing awkward vacuum line management.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing chamber acts as an intermediary space that facilitates vacuum transmission from the laser surgery apparatus to the applanating lens without requiring external vacuum lines. The integrated design allows vacuum force to be applied through the chamber walls and channels, eliminating the need for separate vacuum delivery components.
3Illumination intensity
If existing patient interface devices use external light sources, then illumination can be provided, but glare from the light source impedes clear view of the surgical area and light delivery is inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The light guiding structure acts as an intermediary that receives light from the laser surgery apparatus and redirects it to illuminate the surgical area from optimal angles. The structure includes light-receiving walls that capture light and light-emitting walls that redirect it toward the patient's eye, ensuring consistent illumination without glare from external sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guiding structure provides localized illumination control by directing light specifically to the surgical area through its geometric design. The light-receiving and light-emitting walls are positioned to illuminate only the necessary surgical field, avoiding glare in the physician's view while ensuring adequate lighting for image capture and surgical precision.
4Manufacturing precision
If existing patient interface devices have separate components that must be fitted together, then the device can be constructed, but achieving high degree of parallelism between laser objective lens and applanating lens becomes complicated, requiring high manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the applanating lens, vacuum interface, and light guiding structure into a single housing unit, the patent eliminates alignment errors that would occur when fitting multiple separate components together. The laser objective lens and applanating lens can be positioned with precise parallelism during manufacturing without the compounding tolerances that would result from assembling multiple parts.
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 solution simplifies the assembly process, ensures stable eye alignment, and provides optimal illumination, reducing glare and ensuring clear imaging during laser eye surgery by integrating the vacuum system and light guidance within the device.
Implementation Method 1
a light guiding structure having at a first end thereof a light-receiving interface, configured to receive light, and having at a second end thereof a light-emitting interface, wherein the light-emitting interface is disposed adjacent the applanating lens and configured to provide the light in a vicinity of the patient's eye
Implementation Method 2
a second interface port disposed at a second side of the housing and configured to be interfaced with a laser surgery apparatus, wherein air may be evacuated from the chamber by the laser surgery apparatus via the second interface port
Data Source
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AI summary
A patient interface device includes: a first interface port configured to be interfaced with a laser surgery apparatus; a second interface port configured to be interfaced with a patient's eye, the second interface port including an applanating lens for application to a patient's eye during a laser surgery procedure; a chamber extending between the first interface port and the second interface port and defining a chamber therein, wherein air may be evacuated from the chamber by the laser surgery apparatus via the first interface port; and a tubular light guiding structure having at a first end thereof a light receiving surface, configured to receive light, and having at a second end thereof a light-emitting surface, wherein the second surface is disposed adjacent the applanating lens and configured to provide the light in a vicinity of the patient's eye when the applanating lens is applied to the patient's eye.