Lens Cone Cap Assembly for Easier Ophthalmic Laser Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handling and installing the lens cone of a patient interface device onto the laser delivery head of an ophthalmic surgical laser system is difficult due to its shape and size, especially when dexterity is limited, such as when wearing gloves.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical cap with longitudinal ribs is provided to facilitate easy handling and installation of the lens cone, which engages with the lens cone using snap features and allows for bayonet mounting onto the laser delivery head, providing tactile feedback for proper attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the lens cone is designed with a frustoconical shape for proper optical function, then the optical performance is improved, but the handling and installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
A cylindrical cap with longitudinal ribs is introduced as an intermediary tool to facilitate handling of the frustoconical lens cone. The cap provides a gripping surface that enables easy manipulation and installation of the lens cone onto the laser delivery head, resolving the contradiction between maintaining the necessary frustoconical shape for optical performance and enabling easy handling.
2Measurement precision
If the lens cone is made small and compact for precise laser delivery, then the laser coupling precision is improved, but the ease of handling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The small frustoconical lens cone is nested within a larger cylindrical cap that has longitudinal ribs on its exterior surface. The cap serves as a handling interface that extends the effective gripping area, allowing precise manipulation of the small lens cone while maintaining its compact size for accurate laser coupling.
3Ease of manufacture
If the lens cone is designed with a simple geometry for ease of manufacture, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the installation security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lens cone is designed with an asymmetric frustoconical shape that provides a specific interface geometry for secure attachment to the laser delivery head. The asymmetric geometry ensures proper orientation and secure fitting while remaining manufacturable through standard machining processes.
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 cap simplifies the installation process, reducing ergonomic strain and improving alignment accuracy by allowing easier handling and ensuring secure attachment of the lens cone to the laser system.
Implementation Method 1
the first snap features and the second snap features engage with each other to attach the lens cone and the cap to each other, and wherein the first snap features and the second snap features are configured to disengage from each other in response to a separation force to separate the lens cone and the cap
Implementation Method 2
A vacuum source is connected and fluid communication with the suction channel and is selectively activated to create a partial vacuum in the channel. In operation, the attachment ring is coupled to the cornea by application of suction
Implementation Method 3
An ophthalmic surgical laser connected to the lens cone is then positioned in a well-characterized three-dimensional relationship with the applanated surface of a patient's eye
Data Source
AI summary
In an ophthalmic surgical laser system, a patient interface device for coupling a patient's eye to the laser system includes a lens cone with a frustoconical shaped shell for coupling to the laser system and a suction ring for coupling to the patient's eye, the lens cone and the suction ring being joined together by clamping. A cap is provided for use with the lens cone as an installation aid. In the configuration supplied to the user, the lens cone is partially embedded in and snapped to the cap. The cap has a portion with a relatively large diameter and multiple ribs for easy handling. The user holds the cap to install the lens cone on the laser system, and pulls the cap to unsnap it from the lens cone. The lens cone is attached to the laser system with a bayonet mount that provides tactile feedback to the user.