Ophthalmic Interface Centration and Moisture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient interface devices for ophthalmic surgical lasers lack mechanisms for centering the device with respect to the cornea, suffer from limited field of view, and experience moisture accumulation on the lens, which impede accurate alignment and therapy delivery.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface device with a frame, corneal interface lens, and ocular device featuring magnifying optics and a centration aid to facilitate alignment, reduce moisture accumulation, and enhance the field of view, including a skirt to seal against the eye and a vacuum system to secure the device, along with a centration device for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional patient interface device uses a clear lens to contact the cornea, then the eye can be stabilized for laser therapy, but the field of view is limited and moisture accumulates on the lens
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a stabilization portion that contacts the eye and a viewing portion with magnifying optics. This segmentation allows the stabilization function to be maintained while the viewing function is enhanced through the magnifier assembly that provides an enlarged view of the treatment area.
2Reliability
If a conventional patient interface device uses a clear lens to contact the cornea, then the eye can be stabilized for laser therapy, but moisture accumulates on the lens
Solution Approach 1:
The magnifying optics are extracted from the direct contact area with the eye and placed in a separate viewing portion. This extraction allows the clear lens contact area to remain minimal and stable while the magnifier assembly, which can accommodate moisture management features, provides the enhanced viewing capability.
3Device complexity
If a patient interface device lacks a centering mechanism, then the device structure remains simple, but accurate alignment with the cornea cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Centering marks are incorporated locally on the stabilization portion that contacts the eye. These localized quality enhancements provide precise alignment reference points without requiring complex centering mechanisms throughout the entire device structure.
4Device complexity
If the laser docking area has a limited view, then the device structure remains compact, but docking accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The magnifying optics are combined with the laser docking assembly, creating an integrated viewing and docking system. This merging allows the docking area to have enhanced viewing capability through the magnifier while maintaining a compact overall device structure.
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 solution enables accurate and secure alignment of the surgical laser with the eye, reduces moisture accumulation, and improves the field of view, ensuring precise and effective ophthalmic surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an ocular device including magnifying optics. The second end of the frame is adapted to couple with the surgical laser. The lens has a corneal side. The skirt is adapted to seal against an anterior surface of the eye. The ocular device is adapted to be removably coupled with the second end, and the magnifying optics images a region on the corneal side of the lens
Data Source
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AI summary
An ophthalmic patient interface system (12) includes an interface device (11) and an ocular device (57). The interface device includes a frame (13) having a first end (17) and a second end (15), a lens (27) disposed at the first end, and a skirt (23) affixed to the first end. The second end is adapted to couple with a surgical laser system, and the skirt is adapted to seal against an anterior surface of an eye. The ocular device includes magnifying optics (61, 63, 65) and is adapted to be removably seated within the second end. The magnifying optics image a region on a corneal side of the lens when the ocular device is seated within the second end.