Microscope Drape Lens Cap for Low-Force Surgical Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope drapes require complicated operations and significant force for attachment to surgical microscopes, making them cumbersome to use.
Innovation Solution
A microscope drape design featuring a lens cap unit with inwardly protruding protrusions and a biasing member, allowing for easy attachment by retracting a movable protrusion against the biasing force, and a protective lens tilted relative to the optical axis to prevent glare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional lens cap unit is used, then the microscope drape can cover the surgical microscope, but the operation of attaching the lens cap unit to the objective lens is complicated and requires large force
Solution Approach 1:
The lens cap unit employs a movable protrusion that can dynamically change its position between protruding outward and retracted states. During attachment, the protrusion is pressed inward to allow the cylindrical body to slide over the housing, then automatically returns to its protruding position to engage with the housing, providing a simple yet effective attachment mechanism that reduces operational complexity and required force
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: a cylindrical body for engagement, a movable protrusion for insertion/removal control, and a biasing member for automatic positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall attachment operation while maintaining reliability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective lens is positioned perpendicular to the optical axis, then the structure is simple, but reflection and glare of incident light occur during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The protective lens is intentionally positioned at an asymmetric angle relative to the optical axis rather than perpendicular to it. This asymmetric positioning changes the angle of incidence for reflected light, directing glare away from the surgeon's line of sight and eliminating harmful reflections without requiring complex additional components
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
Facilitates simple and stable attachment to surgical microscopes, reducing the required force and preventing reflection and glare during surgery.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member for biasing at least one of the plurality of protrusions in a direction of protruding from the inner curved surface of the cylindrical body
Implementation Method 2
the protective lens is supported at a distal end of the cylindrical body with being tilted with respect to an optical axis of the objective lens
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A microscope drape capable of further facilitating an operation of attachment is provided. A microscope drape includes a lens cap unit; a protective lens; and a drape main body. The lens cap unit includes: a cylindrical body having; a plurality of protrusions provided at positions spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical body to protrude inwardly in a radial direction from an inner curved surface of the cylindrical body, respectively; and a biasing member for biasing at least one of the plurality of protrusions in a direction of protruding from the inner curved surface of the cylindrical body, the at least one of the plurality of protrusions being supported to be retractable in the cylindrical body. The protective lens is supported at a distal end of the cylindrical body with being tilted with respect to an optical axis of the objective lens.