Ophthalmological Apparatus Rigid Support Arm Manual Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 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 and space requirements, while also restricting the flexibility of focused laser pulse positioning across the eye.
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 in both horizontal and vertical directions through a combination of rotation and translatory movements, reducing mechanical complexity and weight, and incorporating beam-deflecting means for flexible scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the application head is made heavy with viewing means and motorized drives, then the laser system can be positioned precisely, but the system becomes cumbersome and cannot be applied manually
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional parts: a stationary base station containing the heavy laser source and viewing means, and a separate lightweight application head for manual positioning. This segmentation allows the heavy components to remain fixed while the lightweight head can be easily manipulated by hand for precise manual application onto the patient's eye.
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 laser source (base station) from the application head, allowing the light projector to be connected to the base station while the application head can be independently positioned over the patient's eye. This eliminates the need to integrate the patient bed into the laser system, reducing costs and space requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the application head is mounted on an articulated mirror arm, then manual application is possible, but the work area is limited and positioning flexibility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The application head is mounted on a movable support arm with multiple degrees of freedom that can be dynamically adjusted. This dynamic mounting system allows the application head to be positioned flexibly across the entire eye surface while maintaining manual applicability, overcoming the limitations of fixed articulated arms.
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 application of the light projector, reduces system size and weight, lowers costs by minimizing the need for active force application systems, and enhances safety through passive elements, while allowing for easier maintenance and improved accessibility for the operator.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (21) which is arranged in the base station (2) and generates light pulses
Implementation Method 2
a light source for generating light pulses
Implementation Method 3
beam-deflecting means (31), arranged in the support arm (3) and used for deflecting the light pulses in at least two scanning directions
Implementation Method 4
a light projector (41) with optics of high numerical aperture for focused projection of the light pulses
Implementation Method 5
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.