Ophthalmological Apparatus Rigid Support Arm Hinge Manual Application
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmological apparatuses for refractive surgical treatments, such as LASIK, are cumbersome and require motorized drives due to their weight, limiting manual application and increasing system costs, with restricted laser pulse positioning capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A novel ophthalmological apparatus featuring a rigid support arm with a horizontally oriented hinge allows for manual application of a light projector with high numerical aperture optics, enabling focused projection across the entire visible eye area in both horizontal and vertical directions, using a simplified optical transmission system and minimal mechanical friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If motorized drives are used to move the application head, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces motorized drives with a purely mechanical support arm system that has inherent stability and positioning capabilities. The support arm uses mechanical joints and linkages to achieve precise positioning without requiring complex motorized actuation systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the application head is made heavier with more robust optics, then laser pulse focusing capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm system is designed with counterbalancing mechanisms that compensate for the weight of the application head containing the robust optics. This allows the application head to have high-quality optical components for precise laser focusing while maintaining ease of manual operation through the counterbalancing effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm incorporates dynamic elements such as flexible joints and movable components that allow the system to adapt to the weight and positioning requirements of the application head. This dynamic design enables precise positioning capability while maintaining operational flexibility and ease of use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical transmission system is extended to reach the application head, then treatment versatility is improved, but light intensity loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmission system is divided into multiple segments including separate transmission paths for different wavelengths. This segmentation allows optimized light transmission for each wavelength range, reducing overall energy loss while maintaining the ability to deliver various types of laser pulses for different treatment purposes.
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 safe, cost-effective, and precise manual application of laser pulses for eye tissue breakdown with reduced system size and weight, improving handling and safety by leveraging passive mechanical elements and tactile control.
Implementation Method 1
the support arm, in particular at one end, has a hinge with a horizontally oriented rotation axis, the hinge being mounted in such a way that the application head can be placed onto the eye with a rotation (rotation movement) extending about the rotation axis
Implementation Method 2
an optical transmission system for transmitting the light pulses from the base station through the support arm to the application head
Implementation Method 3
an application head that is mounted on the support arm and can be placed onto an eye and has a light projector for focused projection of the light pulses for punctiform breakdown of eye tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmological apparatus (1) for breakdown of eye tissue includes a base station (2) with a light source (21) for generating light pulses and a support arm (3), with an application head (4) that can be placed onto an eye (6) 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 (22). 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 and, at one end, 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).