Ring-Shaped Ophthalmic Interface for Deformation-Free Corneal Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmological patient interface devices either cause mechanical deformation of the cornea, leading to corneal folds that disturb focus, or fail to accurately position the cornea for precise cuts, necessitating complex imaging feedback systems.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped, transparent contact part that attaches to the cornea, leaving the central area uncovered to allow laser beams to pass through without deformation, while positioning the peripheral area accurately for precise cuts without imaging systems, and optionally includes a hollow space for liquid and a mirror system for extended treatment areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a contact body is used to fix the cornea in a defined position, then manufacturing precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to mechanical deformation causing corneal folds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful mechanical contact from the central treatment area by using a contact body that only touches the peripheral cornea (within 2mm of the edge). This allows the central 8mm treatment zone to remain free of mechanical deformation while still achieving stable positioning through peripheral attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact body is designed with a segmented structure featuring an attachment zone for peripheral fixation and a treatment zone for laser application. The device separates the functions of positioning (peripheral contact) and treatment (central laser focus), allowing independent optimization of each function without compromise.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a liquid interface is used to avoid mechanical deformation, then object-affected harmful factors are reduced, but manufacturing precision worsens due to insufficient corneal positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both contact and liquid interfaces by combining a contact body for peripheral attachment with a liquid-filled chamber for the treatment area. This hybrid approach achieves both stable positioning (from contact) and deformation-free treatment (from liquid), resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and mechanical deformation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the entire cornea is covered by the contact body, then positioning stability is improved, but productivity worsens due to restricted laser access to central areas
Solution Approach 1:
The contact body is designed with non-uniform properties: the peripheral region provides stable mechanical attachment while the central treatment region remains transparent and accessible to laser beams. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of positioning stability and treatment efficiency without mutual interference.
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 precise and accurate cuts on the cornea without causing mechanical deformation, allowing deep focusing without corneal folds and facilitating flexible treatment procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam from the optical projection system through the contact part into eye tissue covered by the ring-shaped first surface area of the cornea
Implementation Method 2
The ophthalmological apparatus further comprises an optical transmission system for transmitting the laser pulses from the base station through the support arm to the light projector
Implementation Method 3
describes a functional element that can be coupled to the eye by means of a suction ring
Data Source
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AI summary
An ophthalmological patient interface device (27), for application onto an eye (3) comprises a coupling part (21) for attaching mechanically the ophthalmological patient interface device (27) to an optical projection system (20) of an ophthalmological apparatus (1). The ophthalmological patient interface device (27) further comprises a firm, ring-shaped, and transparent contact part (272) configured to contact a ring-shaped peripheral surface area (B) of the cornea, when the ophthalmological patient interface device (27) is applied on the cornea, while leaving uncovered by the contact part (272) a round central surface area (C) of the cornea, surrounded by the peripheral surface area (B), and to let pass a laser beam (L1) from the optical projection system (20) through the contact part (272) into eye tissue (30) covered by the ring-shaped peripheral surface area (B) of the cornea, when the ophthalmological patient interface device (27) is coupled to the optical projection system (20).