Pulse-Conditioned Esthesiometer for Precise Eye Gas Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic esthesiometers fail to accurately and repeatably target a specific portion of the patient's eye during neurosensory testing, particularly in dry eye patients, due to the dissipation of pressurized gas flows forming a cone shape that contacts a larger area than intended.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic esthesiometer with a pulse-conditioner that controls the flow of pressurized gases to form a controlled-profile gas pulse with a substantially cylindrical shape, using a pulse heater and nozzle to maintain a predefined distance and target a specific portion of the patient's eye, ensuring accurate and repeatable stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressurized gas is discharged to stimulate the patient eye, then the tactile sensation can be measured, but the gas flow dissipates forming a cone shape that contacts a larger area than intended, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The gas flow is pre-conditioned through a heated channel before discharge to increase its temperature and reduce dissipation. This preliminary heating action maintains the gas pulse coherence and cylindrical shape over the required distance, enabling precise targeting of the patient's eye without the gas spreading into a cone shape
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter of the pressurized gas is changed by heating it to a temperature greater than atmospheric temperature before discharge. This parameter change increases the gas density and reduces its tendency to dissipate, maintaining a controlled cylindrical profile that improves measurement precision while limiting the contact area on the patient's eye
2Measurement precision
If the gas flow is heated to maintain a controlled cylindrical profile, then the targeting accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases due to the pulse heater and control system
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse heater is integrated within the pulse conditioner housing, combining the heating function with the gas delivery system. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the ability to produce controlled cylindrical gas pulses for accurate targeting
Solution Approach 2:
The pulse conditioner serves multiple functions: it heats the gas, shapes the gas pulse into a cylindrical profile, and directs the gas flow toward the patient's eye. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving precise targeting
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
The controlled-profile gas pulse allows for precise and reliable neurosensory testing, improving test-retest repeatability and enabling effective monitoring and assessment of dry eye treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The pulse heater is arranged within the housing and is configured to heat the flow of pressurized gas to a temperature greater than atmospheric temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic esthesiometer adapted for measuring tactile sensitivity of a patient eye may include a pressurized gas supply system, a control system, and a pulse-conditioner. The pressurized gas supply system is configured to provide a flow of pressurized gases. The control system is configured to control the flow of pressurized gases.