Integrated Patient Interface Holder for Laser Surgery Suction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing patient interface systems for laser surgery are cumbersome and pose safety risks due to the need for additional manual movements and assemblies, particularly with the suction ring, which complicates the preparation and performance of treatments.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface system that integrates a suction duct connectable to a suction device with a fluid-conducting device, forming a fluid path for negative pressure to secure the patient interface to the eye, allowing for both mechanical and fluidic coupling in a single step, reducing the number of assemblies to handle and minimizing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suction ring is added to the patient interface system for securing the patient's eye, then the reliability of eye positioning is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to additional manual movements and assemblies required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the suction ring assembly with the patient interface holder into a single integrated unit. The suction ring is pre-mounted on the holder and fluidically connected to the suction device through internal channels, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps. This merging resolves the contradiction by maintaining eye positioning reliability while reducing device complexity and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction ring is pre-assembled and pre-positioned on the patient interface holder before use. The fluidic connection between the suction ring and suction device is established in advance through integrated channels. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by ensuring reliable eye positioning is ready beforehand, eliminating complex assembly steps during actual operation.
2Reliability
If a suction ring is added to secure the patient's eye, then the reliability of positioning is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to additional manual movements required
Solution Approach 1:
The suction ring assembly is merged with the patient interface holder into one integrated component. The holder includes built-in fluidic channels that connect the suction ring to the suction device, eliminating separate assembly steps. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining positioning stability while significantly improving ease of operation during preparation and treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient interface holder is designed to automatically establish fluidic connection with the suction device through its integrated channels when assembled. The system performs the connection function automatically without requiring additional manual operations. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by ensuring reliable positioning while minimizing manual movements required from the operator.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate assemblies are used for mechanical coupling and suction connection, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation and contamination risk worsen due to multiple handling steps
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling function and fluidic suction connection are merged into a single integrated patient interface holder assembly. The holder simultaneously provides mechanical support and fluidic connection through integrated channels, eliminating the need for separate assemblies. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining coupling flexibility while improving handling simplicity and reducing contamination risk through fewer handling steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient interface holder is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs mechanical coupling, positioning, and fluidic connection functions. This universal design resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability through multiple functions in one assembly, thereby improving ease of operation and reducing contamination risk by eliminating the need for multiple separate components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate assemblies are used for mechanical coupling and suction connection, then the adaptability is improved, but the risk of contamination worsens due to increased exposure to environment
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling and fluidic suction connection are merged into one integrated assembly, reducing the number of separate components that need to be handled and assembled. This reduces the cumulative exposure time to the environment and minimizes contamination risk while maintaining coupling flexibility through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidic connection between the suction ring and suction device is established in advance through pre-integrated channels within the holder assembly. This preliminary configuration minimizes the time the fluidic path is exposed to the environment during assembly, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining adaptability through the integrated design.
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 configuration simplifies the handling and safe attachment of the patient interface to the eye, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring precise alignment for laser surgery while preventing optical path impairments.
Implementation Method 1
to hold the first positioning device in abutment on the patient's eye by a relative negative pressure generated by means of the suction device
Data Source
AI summary
A patient interface system for positioning a patient's eye relative to a laser device for laser surgery is disclosed that includes a patient interface for coupling to the patient's eye, and a patient interface holder for arranging the patient interface on the laser device. The patient interface holder has a suction duct for connecting to a suction device, and the patient interface has a fluid-conducting device that couples to the patient interface holder, and when in the coupled state, together form a fluid path which fluidically couples the suction duct to the patient interface in order to hold a first positioning device of the patient interface against the patient's eye by a relative negative pressure generated by the suction device. A method is disclosed for coupling a patient interface to a patient interface holder, and a patient interface. A patient interface holder is also disclosed.