Ophthalmic Apparatus Toric Lens Alignment Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic apparatuses lack the capability to accurately assess the axial misalignment of TORIC-Intraocular lenses after insertion, which can lead to insufficient correction results due to factors like patient posture changes and operator error during lens alignment.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic apparatus comprising a light projecting optical system, imaging systems, and a control unit that projects measurement light on the cornea, images retro-illumination images of the eye's fundus, and combines astigmatic axis targets with the images to detect and display misalignment, enabling precise alignment verification post-operatively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual marking and alignment methods are used for TORIC-Intraocular lens insertion, then the operation can be performed with simple equipment, but the alignment precision and measurement accuracy deteriorate due to operator error and patient posture changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical marking and alignment methods with an automated optical measurement system. The keratometer and ocular axial length measurement apparatus use optical principles to automatically measure corneal curvature and astigmatic axis, eliminating operator hand tremor and posture-related errors while maintaining equipment simplicity through integrated optical paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies of the astigmatic axis and corneal curvature data through displayed images and markers. The system projects reference markers and displays measured axes on a screen, allowing the operator to visually align the lens without direct manual marking on the patient's eye, thereby improving precision while keeping the procedure simple.
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate measurement devices are used (keratometer, axial length apparatus), then each measurement function can be specialized, but the device complexity increases and integration of results becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the keratometer and ocular axial length measurement apparatus into an integrated system. Both measurement functions share common optical components and are controlled by a single processor that calculates corneal curvature, astigmatic axis, and axial length from unified measurement data, reducing device complexity while maintaining specialized measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a multi-functional ophthalmic apparatus that performs multiple measurement tasks (corneal curvature, astigmatic axis, axial length) through a single integrated system. The apparatus uses universal optical paths and sensors that can capture data for multiple parameters simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices while maintaining measurement precision.
3Productivity
If no post-operative verification system is implemented, then the surgical procedure is faster and simpler, but the ability to detect and correct axial misalignment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the ophthalmic apparatus measures and verifies the alignment of the inserted TORIC-Intraocular lens against the pre-calculated astigmatic axis. The system provides visual feedback through displayed images showing whether the lens markers align with the measured corneal astigmatic axis, allowing immediate detection and correction of misalignment while maintaining surgical efficiency.
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
Enables accurate detection and display of axial misalignment between the corneal and lens astigmatic axes, facilitating appropriate positioning of TORIC-Intraocular lenses and identifying the cause of insufficient correction results.
Implementation Method 1
a light projecting optical system for projecting measurement light on a cornea of an examinee's eye; a first imaging optical system for imaging a cornea reflection image obtained by reflection of the measurement light at the cornea
Implementation Method 2
an illuminating optical system for projecting illumination light toward a fundus of the examinee's eye; a second imaging optical system for imaging a retro-illumination image in a pupil of the examinee's eye obtained by reflection of the illumination light at the fundus
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic apparatus includes: a light projecting optical system for projecting measurement light on a cornea of an examinee's eye; a first imaging optical system for imaging a cornea reflection image obtained by reflection of the measurement light at the cornea; a computing unit for obtaining a direction of a corneal astigmatic axis based on the cornea reflection image; an illuminating optical system for projecting illumination light toward a fundus of the examinee's eye; a second imaging optical system for imaging a retro-illumination image in a pupil of the examinee's eye obtained by reflection of the illumination light at the fundus; an image processing unit for combining a first target representing the direction of the astigmatic axis with the retro-illumination image; and an output unit for outputting the retro-illumination image with which the first target has been combined.