Modular Patient Adapter for Eye Laser Suction Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient adapters for eye laser treatment experience issues with hoses exerting pulling or tilting forces on the suction ring due to their length and weight, causing discomfort and undesired suction loss, especially during patient movements.
Innovation Solution
A modular patient adapter with a detachable hose system that connects the suction ring to the vacuum pump through a short, adjustable path, minimizing the length of hoses and reducing the likelihood of suction loss by allowing the adapter modules to be adjusted relative to each other for secure coupling and alignment with the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If long hoses are used to connect the suction ring to the vacuum pump apparatus, then the suction ring can be positioned away from the laser apparatus, but the hoses exert pulling or tilting forces on the suction ring causing patient discomfort and suction loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patient adapter is divided into two separate modules: a suction ring module that attaches to the eye and a laser apparatus module that couples to the laser device. These modules are connected by a short hose, eliminating the need for long hoses while maintaining functional separation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing positioning flexibility through modular design while minimizing harmful pulling forces through short connection hoses.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose length is made adjustable or adaptable to the specific surgical situation. The hose can be configured to connect the suction ring module to the laser apparatus module at optimal lengths, preventing excessive hose length from causing pulling forces while maintaining flexibility for different positioning requirements. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between positioning flexibility and minimizing harmful forces.
2Ease of operation
If the suction ring and conical spacer are kept separate during initial setup, then they can be independently positioned, but the hoses must be long enough to reach from the suction ring to the vacuum pump apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modules that can be independently prepared and positioned. The suction ring module can be attached to the eye independently, and the laser apparatus module can be coupled to the laser device independently. The short connecting hose enables these independently positioned modules to function together without requiring long hoses, thus resolving the contradiction between independent positioning capability and hose length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hoses are allowed to dangle freely, then they do not constrain patient movement, but they create pulling forces and suction loss during head movements
Solution Approach 1:
The hose system is designed with appropriate length and flexibility to accommodate patient movements without creating excessive tension. The hose can dynamically adjust to movement patterns while maintaining sufficient tension to prevent suction loss. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between patient movement freedom and suction stability by optimizing hose characteristics rather than allowing completely free dangling.
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 modular design enhances patient comfort by reducing unwanted pulling forces and suction loss, ensuring stable and accurate alignment of the eye with the laser apparatus, thereby improving the precision and effectiveness of eye treatments.
Implementation Method 1
By subsequently evacuating the first suction space, the suction ring can be affixed to the eye. A second suction space is delimited by both the suction ring and the conical spacer, and evacuation of the second suction space permits to hold the conical spacer in close coupling engagement with the suction ring.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for laser assisted eye treatment comprises: a laser device configured to provide focused laser radiation and having an adapter coupling port; an adapter module including first and second sub-modules, the first sub-module configured to detachably couple to the laser device at the adapter coupling port and having a contact surface for an eye, the second sub-module including an eye suction ring portion having a ring axis, wherein the second sub-module delimits at least one suction space, and the adapter module includes a vacuum inlet port in association with each of the at least one suction chamber, wherein the adapter module includes an evacuation path system configured to establish a vacuum communication connection between each of the at least one suction space and the associated vacuum inlet port, wherein the vacuum inlet port is provided at the first sub-module and the evacuation path system extends from the first sub-module to the second sub-module.