Optical Projection Device for Facial Plane Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling the alignment, balance, and symmetry of the face during maxillofacial surgery lack precision and repeatability, as they rely on freehand markings and visual estimation, which are prone to errors and variability.
Innovation Solution
A device with a light source projecting orthogonal lines onto the patient's face to materialize the median sagittal, occlusal, and bi-pupillary planes, allowing for precise adjustment and visualization of these planes through lateral and vertical translation and pivoting of the light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If freehand markings with felt-tip pen are used to visualize facial planes, then the method is simple and easy to implement, but the measurement precision and alignment control are poor with discrepancies of plus or minus 2 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical freehand marking system with an optical projection system using a device that projects light lines onto the patient's face. This optical system provides precise visualization of facial planes (sagittal plane, occlusal plane, interpupillary line) without requiring manual drawing, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of use through automated projection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional drawn lines on the face to three-dimensional optical projection that can be viewed from multiple angles. The projection device allows surgeons to visualize planes in spatial context, enabling more accurate alignment control while preserving simplicity of the marking process
2Productivity
If surgeons perform alignment checks by eye, then the method is quick and simple, but the reliability and repeatability are poor due to dependence on surgeon's position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a visual feedback system where projected light lines provide objective reference standards for facial alignment. Surgeons can quickly assess whether anatomical structures align with the projected planes, enabling rapid evaluation that is independent of the surgeon's position and provides consistent, repeatable results across different practitioners and procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces projected light lines as an intermediary reference system between the surgeon's visual assessment and the patient's anatomy. These light lines serve as objective mediators that standardize the alignment check process, eliminating variability caused by different surgeon positions and perspectives while maintaining quick assessment capability
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 clear, precise, and repeatable control of facial alignment, balance, and symmetry, facilitating consistent surgical outcomes across patients and procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a device comprising a light source (1), capable of projecting, by means of at least one laser or at least one light-emitting diode, two orthogonal lines of light (3, 4) in a frontal plane
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling the alignment, balance and symmetry of a patient's (2) face, characterised in that it consists in positioning a device facing a patient, said device comprising a light source (1) projecting a vertical line of light (3) onto the patient's face, forming the intersection of the face with a sagittal plane, and a horizontal line of light (4) forming the intersection of the face with a transverse plane. The light source (1) is mounted on supporting means which can move linearly in directions parallel to the projected lines of light (3, 4) and which can pivot about an axis parallel to the projected horizontal line of light (4), such as to display the median plane on the face by adjusting the position of the vertical line of light by moving the light source horizontally in translation, and either the bipupillary line by moving the light source vertically in translation in order to adjust the position of the horizontal line of light, or the occlusal plane by moving the light source vertically in translation in order to adjust the position of the horizontal line of light, and, if necessary, by pivoting the light source about the axis.