Motorized Illumination Tower Rotation for Hands-Free Photodisruptors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photodisruptor devices require manual rotation of the illumination tower, which prevents the operator from simultaneously triggering a laser pulse during treatment, limiting the ability to achieve optimal tissue visualization and treatment site selection.
Innovation Solution
A motorized illumination tower system that allows hands-free control through foot pedals, voice activation, or head movement, enabling electronic rotation of the illumination tower relative to the photodisruptor axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual rotation of the illumination tower is used, then the physician can adjust illumination angle to optimize tissue visualization, but the physician cannot simultaneously trigger a laser pulse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical rotation system with an automated motorized system. The motor-driven illumination tower can be controlled to rotate to desired angles and hold position, freeing both of the physician's hands for other tasks including laser pulse triggering. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining visualization quality while enabling simultaneous treatment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism (motor with controller) between the physician's command and the illumination tower movement. This intermediary system automatically positions the illumination tower at predetermined angles based on physician input, eliminating the need for manual rotation and allowing the physician to simultaneously perform laser triggering without direct hand-on-hand rotation control.
2Illumination intensity
If the illumination tower is positioned on-axis, then the illumination intensity is maximized, but back scattered light masks tissue features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic illumination system where the tower can be rotated between on-axis and off-axis positions. The motorized system allows the physician to dynamically adjust the illumination angle based on real-time tissue visualization needs, switching between maximum intensity (on-axis) and reduced backscatter (off-axis) configurations as required by the specific treatment scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination parameter (angle) to optimize tissue visualization. By rotating the illumination tower to different angular positions relative to the laser beam axis, the system modifies how light interacts with the tissue, reducing back scattered light when positioned at oblique angles while maintaining adequate illumination intensity for feature detection.
3Loss of information
If the illumination tower is positioned off-axis at various degrees, then the 3D view of tissue surface is improved, but the illumination intensity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized illumination system enables dynamic adjustment between off-axis positions for 3D visualization and on-axis positions for maximum intensity. The physician can rotate the tower to optimal off-axis angles to observe tissue topography and surface features, then switch to on-axis positioning when maximum illumination is needed, with the motor system maintaining stable positioning at each angle.
Data Source
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AI summary
A movable illumination tower for use with a photodisruptor that provides titratable illumination of ocular tissue. The illumination tower can be rotated between an on-axis position relative to the photodisruptor axis and an off-axis position relative to the photodisruptor axis, such that the illumination tower is positioned at an angle relative to the photodisruptor axis under the control of a hands-free motor.