Microscope Lens Standoff Control for Retinal Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic surgery techniques face challenges in maintaining a consistent standoff distance between the front lens and the eye during retinal surgery, leading to potential corneal-front lens contact and interference with surgical instrument manipulation, which can result in obscured views and increased risk of corneal epithelial damage.
Innovation Solution
An automatic lens to cornea standoff system that includes a high diopter lens assembly with a sensor and control system to maintain a predetermined distance from the eye surface, using a multi-sectional articulating arm or screw drive mechanism, and an auto-focus system to ensure clear visualization of the retina.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a front lens assembly is used to achieve wide angle viewing of the retina, then viewing capability is improved, but the lens may contact the cornea and become obscured by liquids
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor continuously monitors the distance between the front lens and cornea, providing real-time feedback to a control system. When the distance approaches a predetermined threshold, the control system automatically adjusts the lens position to maintain optimal standoff distance, preventing contact and liquid obscuration while maintaining wide-angle retinal viewing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The front lens assembly is mounted on an adjustable positioning mechanism (such as a multi-sectional articulating arm or screw drive system) that allows dynamic adjustment of the lens position. This enables the lens to maintain a consistent standoff distance from the cornea despite patient movements or surgical manipulations, preventing contact while preserving wide-angle viewing
2Measurement precision
If the front lens is positioned close to the eye for better viewing, then viewing quality is improved, but the risk of corneal contact and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor-control system continuously monitors and adjusts the lens-to-cornea distance, maintaining a safe standoff distance that prevents corneal contact while preserving optimal viewing quality. The system automatically responds to any tendency toward contact by adjusting the lens position
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively maintains a predetermined safe distance between the lens and cornea before contact can occur. By continuously monitoring distance and making preventive adjustments, the system eliminates the need for reactive measures and prevents corneal damage before it can happen
3Device complexity
If manual monitoring of lens-to-cornea distance is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the consistency and reliability of standoff distance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
An automatic feedback control system uses a sensor to continuously monitor the lens-to-cornea distance and a control system to adjust the lens position accordingly. This automated approach ensures consistent maintenance of the predetermined standoff distance without requiring manual intervention, significantly improving reliability and consistency of the standoff distance
Solution Approach 2:
The system is self-regulating, automatically detecting distance variations and correcting lens position without surgeon intervention. The sensor-control mechanism continuously adjusts the lens positioning mechanism to maintain optimal standoff distance, freeing the surgeon from manual monitoring while ensuring consistent distance maintenance
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 system effectively maintains a consistent standoff distance, preventing corneal-front lens contact and ensuring clear, high-resolution views of the retina, reducing the need for frequent lens cleaning or replacement and minimizing the risk of corneal damage.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for sensing the distance from the high diopter lens and the cornea
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for automatically controlling a lens to cornea standoff. Automatic lens to cornea standoff control can include an ophthalmic microscope with a lens arrangement configured for viewing images of an eye, a front lens assembly with a high diopter lens for resolving an image of a posterior portion of the eye, and a sensor to monitor a distance between the high diopter lens and a surface of the eye. Automatic lens to cornea standoff control can also include a control system for receiving distance information and an actuator for the front lens assembly back to the threshold standoff distance, past the threshold standoff distance, etc.