Integrated Ophthalmic Surgery Layout for Clutter-Free Workflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ophthalmic surgery equipment is cluttered and poses tripping hazards due to multiple pieces with separate power cords and components, requiring a cumbersome and inefficient setup.

Innovation Solution

A centralized operating room equipment system with a base housing computing devices and vacuum pumps, a boom supporting a gantry with surgical instruments and displays, and an adjustable surgical chair, integrated with a patient bed for data transfer and reduced clutter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a surgical microscope with integrated light source is used, then illumination intensity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination intensityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the surgical microscope and illumination system into a single integrated unit. The light source is positioned within the microscope structure, allowing synchronized operation and unified control of both imaging and illumination functions, thereby improving illumination intensity while managing device complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical microscope system performs multiple functions including magnified visualization, illumination, and surgical intervention. The integrated design allows the same device to provide both optical magnification and targeted illumination, eliminating the need for separate illumination devices and reducing overall system complexity.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate devices are used for different surgical functions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical microscope system is designed to perform multiple surgical functions including visualization, illumination, and various surgical interventions. By integrating these functions into a single platform, the system achieves high adaptability while avoiding the complexity of coordinating multiple separate devices.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that allow dynamic adaptation to different surgical requirements. The integrated design enables flexible adjustment of illumination parameters, magnification levels, and surgical tool positioning within a unified system, providing adaptability without the overhead of multiple fixed-function devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If precise control of surgical tools is required, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprecisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical tools are integrated directly into the microscope system, allowing precise control through a unified mechanism. The combination of magnification and control in a single system enables high precision manipulation of surgical instruments while reducing the complexity associated with coordinating multiple separate control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4572706B1Operating room equipment for ophthalmic surgery
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 ALCON INC
  • EP4572706B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4572706B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4572706B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide operating equipment including a base for resting on a floor. A boom extends upwardly from a central base and extends outwardly from the central base in a forward direction. A gantry is suspended from the boom and has three or more degrees of freedom. A surgical instrument, such as a surgical microscope, is mounted to the gantry. One or more electrical components are mounted in the central base and are configured to support performing ophthalmic surgery, such as a computing device and vacuum pump. A surgical chair mounts to an arcuate track in a base and is slidable along the track. The surgical chair has adjustable arms secured thereto for holding surgical equipment. A patient bed incorporates a storage device and a coupler that engages a corresponding coupler coupled to a computing device in the base for downloading patient data from the storage device.