Ophthalmic Laser Interface Grip for Stable Lens Cone Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient interface devices for ophthalmic surgical laser systems face challenges in achieving secure engagement between the lens cone and suction ring, leading to potential misalignment and tissue damage due to eye movement during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface device with a lens cone and suction ring design featuring a soft thermoplastic elastomer material on the lens cone and protrusions on the gripper jaws, enhancing secure coupling through increased friction and clamping force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a two-piece structure with separate components is used, then the device allows modular assembly and disassembly, but the engagement between components becomes less secure and may lead to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lens cone and suction ring into a single integrated piece constructed from a single piece of transparent material, eliminating the interface between separate components. This merging ensures secure engagement and prevents misalignment while maintaining the functional benefits of both the lens cone and suction ring structures.
2Ease of operation
If separate components are held together by a gripping or clamping device, then the components can be assembled, but the engagement security is insufficient to prevent eye movement during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the lens cone and suction ring into one monolithic structure formed from a single piece of transparent material. This eliminates the need for gripping or clamping devices to hold separate components together, thereby ensuring precise alignment and preventing any movement that could compromise surgical accuracy.
3Reliability
If a single-piece structure is used, then engagement security is improved, but the ease of manufacture and adjustment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the unique properties of transparent materials that can be heated and molded into complex three-dimensional shapes. By changing the temperature parameter during manufacturing, the material becomes pliable and can be formed into the integrated lens cone and suction ring structure, then cooled to set the final shape. This enables the production of a secure single-piece structure while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 design ensures stable alignment of the laser beam with the eye, minimizing movement and reducing the risk of tissue damage by providing a strong, secure engagement between the lens cone and suction ring.
Implementation Method 1
A patient interface device with a lens cone and suction ring design featuring a soft thermoplastic elastomer material on the lens cone and protrusions on the gripper jaws, enhancing secure coupling through increased friction and clamping force.
Implementation Method 2
a suction ring configured to be coupled to the patient's eye
Data Source
AI summary
A patient interface device for an ophthalmic surgical laser system includes a lens cone component for coupling to the laser system and a suction ring component having a flexible skirt for coupling to the patient's eye. The suction ring component includes a gripper integrated with the flexible skirt, formed of hard plastic material and having two jaws that face each other to define a receiving opening between them. During use, a base portion of the lens cone is inserted into the receiving opening of the gripper and retained by the clamping force of the jaws. To ensure that the gripper securely retains the lens cone, a soft thermoplastic elastomer material is provided on the outer surface of the base portion of the lens cone, and the inner surfaces of the jaws of the gripper are provided with teeth to engage the soft thermoplastic elastomer material of the lens cone.