Micromirror Light Guide Illumination for Precise Retinal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination systems for retinal surgery face challenges in achieving precise and intuitive alignment of light guides with small diameters, leading to imprecise adjustments and complex mechanical constructions, which hinder minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
An illumination apparatus using a micromirror actuator to preshape light wavefronts, allowing adjustable light properties such as spot size, focus, and position, integrated with a multimode light guide and controlled by a control device for precise illumination and targeted laser irradiation, optionally combined with image capture and imaging modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the diameter of surgical instruments is reduced to enable minimally invasive procedures, then the invasiveness is reduced, but the intraoperative alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with a light guide that has built-in alignment features. The light guide itself serves as the alignment reference, eliminating the need for separate mechanical alignment devices. This substitution maintains minimal invasiveness while improving alignment precision through optical rather than mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an alignment mark or alignment feature as an intermediary element between the light guide and the surgical site. This intermediary provides a visual or optical reference that facilitates precise alignment without requiring complex mechanical adjustments to the light guide itself, thus maintaining minimal invasiveness while achieving high precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanical constructions are used to alter light guide alignment, then alignment adjustability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment function from complex mechanical mechanisms and integrates it directly into the light guide structure. By taking out the alignment capability and embedding it in the light guide itself (through alignment marks, optical features, or geometric design), the system achieves alignment adjustability without adding external mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is designed to serve multiple functions: it delivers light to the surgical site and simultaneously provides alignment reference through integrated features. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining alignment adjustability across different surgical configurations.
3Device complexity
If manual positioning of probes is required, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with optical alignment features that provide visual or automated guidance. The light guide includes alignment marks or optical references that enable precise positioning through optical means rather than manual mechanical adjustment, thereby maintaining simple device construction while achieving high positioning precision.
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
Enables precise, adaptable illumination and targeted laser irradiation of the retina, enhancing surgical precision and efficiency by allowing continuous adjustment and automated mode switching, while reducing mechanical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a micromirror actuator, which is controllable by a control device for the purpose of preshaping the wavefront reflected by the micromirror actuator
Implementation Method 2
at least one light guide for guiding the reflected light of the light source that has been preshaped by the micromirror actuator to an examination object
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination apparatus for illuminating an examination object, in particular for illuminating a fundus section of a patient's eye, includes at least one light source which emits light onto a micromirror actuator, which is controllable by a control device for the purpose of preshaping the wavefront reflected by the micromirror actuator, and at least one light guide configured to guide the reflected light of the light source that has been preshaped by the micromirror actuator to an examination object. The light guide includes a first end for coupling light into the light guide and a second end for coupling light out of the light guide. In addition, an illumination method, and also an illumination system and a method for operating an illumination system are provided.