Ophthalmic Dust Cover With Funnel Probe Loading and Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rebound tonometers face challenges in probe loading due to the difficulty of inserting a thin probe into the measurement head, leading to bent or dropped probes, and the exposure of the measurement head to dust and contaminants without a storage case, which increases contamination risk.
Innovation Solution
A dust cover with a funnel-shaped probe-loading mechanism and a movable closure member that facilitates probe insertion and protects the measurement head from contamination, allowing safe storage without a separate case.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate probe applicator is provided to assist probe loading, then probe loading ease is improved, but device complexity increases and the applicator can be easily misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the probe applicator functionality directly into the measurement head by incorporating a funnel-shaped probe loading guide within the head housing. This eliminates the need for a separate applicator accessory, combining multiple functions (measurement and probe loading) into a single integrated unit, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of probe loading
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement head is designed to serve multiple functions: it houses the measurement coil and probe mounting opening for IOP measurement, and simultaneously contains an integrated funnel-shaped guide for probe loading. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate accessories and reduces the number of components the user must manage
2Ease of operation
If the measurement head remains uncovered after applicator removal, then probe loading access is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel-shaped probe loading guide is pre-integrated into the measurement head housing, creating a protected pathway for probe insertion before the actual measurement occurs. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that the probe loading area is inherently protected from contamination while maintaining easy access for probe insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel-shaped guide acts as an intermediary structure between the external environment and the internal measurement components. It provides a controlled pathway that allows probe insertion while preventing dust and contaminants from entering the measurement head, thus mediating between accessibility and protection
3Measurement precision
If the probe shaft is thin to enable precise measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but probe handling difficulty increases leading to bent or dropped probes
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel-shaped probe loading guide serves as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates the handling of thin probe shafts. By providing a tapered guiding pathway, it enables precise alignment and gentle insertion of the thin probe into the measurement head, preventing bending or dropping that would occur with direct manual insertion
Data Source
AI summary
A dust cover for an ophthalmic instrument includes a cover unit and a closure member coupled to the cover unit. The cover unit includes a funnel portion extending along a probe-loading axis and having a mouth and a probe-loading orifice, wherein an area of the probe-loading orifice is reduced relative to an area of the mouth. The closure member is selectively movable relative to the cover unit between an open position in which the mouth of the funnel portion is not fully covered by the closure member and a closed position in which the mouth of the funnel portion is fully covered by the closure member. The dust cover removably mounts onto a measurement head of the ophthalmic instrument, assists a user in loading a new probe into the measurement head, and remains on the measurement head when the ophthalmic instrument is not in use.