Ophthalmic Suction Cone Position Maintenance via Optical Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic surgery techniques rely on visual inspection for proper placement of a suction cone during laser surgery, leading to potential inaccuracies and increased risk of vacuum loss, which requires time-consuming re-docking and can cause patient discomfort and side effects.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a measuring device to detect the suction cone's position, a processor to determine adjustments needed to maintain optimal working range, and control signals to adjust the suction cone and support, with optional manual confirmation, to ensure stable vacuum pressure and accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection is used for suction cone placement, then the surgical procedure is simple to operate, but the positioning accuracy is insufficient leading to vacuum loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual inspection system with an optical measurement system. A measuring device with light sources and sensors automatically detects the suction cone's position relative to the eye, substituting manual visual inspection with automated optical measurement to achieve precise positioning without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-positioning by automatically detecting the suction cone's location and generating control signals to adjust its position. The measuring device continuously monitors and the system self-corrects positioning errors without requiring constant manual intervention, maintaining simplicity while improving accuracy
2Speed
If manual monitoring of suction cone position is used, then the system is easy to operate, but the response time is slow causing vacuum loss and requiring re-docking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where the measuring device continuously monitors the suction cone's position and feeds this information back to the control system. The processor compares actual position with optimal position and automatically generates correction signals, enabling rapid response to positioning deviations and maintaining vacuum stability without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The manual monitoring and adjustment process is replaced with an automated control system that uses optical measurement and electronic control signals. The system automatically detects position changes and actuates adjustment mechanisms, replacing slow manual response with fast automated control while keeping the interface simple
3Reliability
If automated position maintenance is implemented, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device serves multiple functions: it detects the suction cone's position, determines whether adjustment is needed, and provides data for control signal generation. By making the measurement system multi-functional, the patent achieves improved vacuum stability without adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a system and method for maintaining the position of a suction cone on an eye during laser ophthalmic surgery that includes determining a distance and direction the suction cone or a support must be adjusted to maintain the position of the suction cone within an optimal working range, based on a detected position of the suction cone. The disclosure further provides a method for maintaining the position of a suction cone by determining a distance and direction the suction cone or a support must be adjusted to maintain the position of the suction cone within an optimal working range, based on a detected position of the suction cone. In the system and the method, a control signal is generated to adjust the position of the suction cone and/or the support to maintain the suction cone within the optimal working range.