Ophthalmic Apparatus Eye Positioning Detection Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ophthalmic apparatuses require manual dexterity and experience for precise positioning of a patient's eye relative to the treatment device, which can be cumbersome and imprecise.

Innovation Solution

An ophthalmic apparatus equipped with a detection device that records the eye's image to determine the required shift to achieve a nominal position, allowing for either manual or automatic adjustment of the positioning device to ensure precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual positioning is used to position the eye relative to the treatment device, then the operator can control the positioning, but the positioning precision and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring great experience and manual dexterity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidease of positioning operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated image-guided positioning system. The detection device captures images of the eye and treatment device, and a control unit automatically calculates and executes positioning adjustments, substituting the manual mechanical operation with an automated optical-mechanical system that does not require operator experience or dexterity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses image copying to enable precise positioning. The detection device creates visual copies (images) of the eye and treatment device positions, which are then processed by the control unit to determine the required shift. This copying approach allows precise measurement and positioning without direct manual manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If manual positioning is used, then the apparatus structure remains simple, but the positioning time and productivity worsen due to requiring operator experience and dexterity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated image-guided positioning system replaces manual positioning operations, enabling simultaneous image capture, processing, and positioning execution. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming nature of manual adjustment and significantly improves positioning efficiency without requiring operator experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection device captures images of the eye and treatment device positions in advance before the actual positioning operation. The control unit then processes these pre-captured images to calculate the required shift, enabling positioning to be executed without time-consuming manual measurement and adjustment during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If an automated positioning system is implemented, then positioning precision and ease of operation improve, but the device complexity increases due to adding detection device and control unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of positioning operationVSAvoidapparatus structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection device is designed to serve multiple functions: capturing images of both the eye and the treatment device, determining their respective positions, and providing data for shift calculation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining automated positioning capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the detection, positioning calculation, and control functions into an integrated system. The control unit combines image processing, position determination, and positioning control in a single automated workflow, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall apparatus structure despite the automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2083778B1Ophthalmic apparatus for positioning an eye of a patient in a predetermined nominal position
Publication Date: 2013.08.21 CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
  • EP2083778B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2083778B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2083778B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An ophthalmic apparatus is provided, comprising a supporting device (2) for a patient an eye treatment device (3), which comprises a contact element (10) for spatially fixing an eye (A) of the patient with respect to the treatment device (3), and a positioning device (4) for shifting the supporting device (2) and a contact element (10) relative to each other in order to position the eye (A), before it is fixed using the contact element (10), at a predetermined nominal position relative to the contact elements (10), wherein the ophthalmic apparatus comprises a detection device (11 ), which records an image of the eye (A) of the patient present on the supporting device (2) and, on the basis of said recorded image, determines an indication concerning a relative shift of the supporting device (2) with respect to the contact element (10), which shift is required to move the eye (A) to the nominal position by means of the positioning device (4).