Ophthalmological Apparatus Manual Docking Rigid Support Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmological apparatuses for refractive surgical treatments, such as LASIK, require motorized drives due to the weight of the application head, limiting manual application and increasing system costs and complexity, while also restricting the flexible positioning of laser pulses across the entire eye area.
Innovation Solution
A novel ophthalmological apparatus featuring a rigid support arm with a horizontally oriented hinge allows for manual application of the light projector onto the eye, enabling focused projection of laser pulses in both horizontal and vertical directions without mechanical movement, using beam-deflecting means for scanning in multiple directions and a simplified optical transmission system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the application head is made heavy with viewing means and motorized drives, then the laser system can achieve precise automated positioning, but manual application becomes impossible and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: a heavy base station containing the laser source and viewing means, and a lightweight application head. The base station remains stationary while the application head is manually positioned. This segmentation allows the heavy components to stay fixed without interfering with manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A rigid support arm with horizontal rotation axis acts as an intermediary mechanism between the base station and application head. The support arm transmits optical components while allowing manual rotation of the application head onto the eye, mediating between the stationary base station and manual positioning requirements.
2Device complexity
If the light projector is connected fixedly to the base station, then the system structure is simplified, but the patient bed must be integrated into the laser system increasing costs and space
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the light projector into a standalone application head that can be manually positioned, eliminating the need to integrate the patient bed into the laser system. The base station remains stationary while the application head is positioned manually over the patient's eye.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the patient bed to position the laser, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the patient stationary and manually positioning the lightweight application head over the eye. This reverses the traditional paradigm of automated bed movement.
3Ease of operation
If the application head is made lightweight for manual application, then manual positioning is enabled, but the numerical aperture of the lens system is reduced limiting the work area
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical movement of the application head with optical beam deflection using scanners. The lightweight application head remains stationary while beam-deflecting means (scanners) in the base station redirect the laser beam across the entire eye surface, substituting mechanical positioning with optical steering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds optical dimensionality by using beam deflection in multiple directions (horizontal and vertical scanning) to cover the entire work area. Instead of moving the application head mechanically, the laser beam is steered through optical components to scan across the eye surface in two dimensions.
4Measurement precision
If motorized drives are used to position the application head, then precise positioning is achieved, but force-measuring systems are required to avoid excessive forces on the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the motorized drive system entirely from the application head. By making the application head lightweight and manually operable, the complex force-measuring and motorization systems are completely eliminated, retaining only the essential optical components.
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 controlled manual docking and application of the light projector with reduced mechanical friction and weight, allowing for precise positioning across the entire viewable eye area, enhancing safety and reducing system size and costs by eliminating the need for active force application systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (21) which generates light pulses (20)
Implementation Method 2
beam-deflecting means (31) which are inserted into the optical transmission system (22) and are designed to deflect the light pulses (20) in at least two scanning directions
Implementation Method 3
a light projector (41) for focused projection of the light pulses (20) for punctiform breakdown of eye tissue
Implementation Method 4
focused projection of the light pulses for punctiform breakdown of eye tissue
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
An ophthalmological apparatus (1) for breakdown of eye tissue comprises a base station (2) with a light source for generating light pulses. A support arm (3), with an application head (4) that can be placed onto an eye (6), is mounted on the base station (2). The light pulses are transmitted from the base station (2) to the application head (4) through an optical transmission system. The application head (4) has a light projector (41) for focused projection of the light pulses for punctiform breakdown of eye tissue. The support arm (3) is of rigid design with horizontal orientation and has a hinge (Rz) with a horizontally oriented rotation axis (rz), the hinge (Rz) being mounted in such a way that the application head (4) can be placed onto the eye (6) with a rotation (zrot) extending about the rotation axis (rz). The hinge (Rz) permits controlled manual docking of the application head (4) and light projector (41) onto the eye (6) in a vertical direction, via a rotation movement that is easy to perform and has minimal mechanical friction.