Surgical Eye Shield with Adhesive Base and Transparent Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current eye shields for perioperative procedures are inadequate in preventing pressure on the eyes, as they can cause trauma, are not adjustable to fit various face sizes, and may interfere with eye patches or lead to corneal drying due to inadequate design and attachment methods.
Innovation Solution
A perioperative eye shield with a flexible, transparent cover plate and a resiliently deformable base that conforms to the face, distributing pressure across the orbital rims and bridge of the nose, and is designed to minimize contact with the eyes, while allowing for adjustable fit and easy attachment without causing skin damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strap is used to secure the mask to the patient's face, then the mask can be held in place during the medical procedure, but the strap can cut into the ears and head of the patient and can be easily caught or displaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the strap component from the eye guard design entirely. Instead of using a strap to secure the mask, the invention uses an adhesive backing applied directly to the forehead area above the eyes, eliminating the harmful strap while maintaining secure attachment during medical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an adhesive backing as an intermediary substance between the eye guard and the patient's forehead. This adhesive mediator provides secure attachment without requiring a strap, thereby preventing skin cutting and displacement while maintaining reliable mask retention.
2Reliability
If the bulbous eye covers are positioned directly over the eyes, then the eyes are protected, but the covers protrude excessively outwardly increasing the likelihood of being bumped and the edges may impinge upon the eye when pressure is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial protection by positioning the eye guard to cover only the orbital rim area rather than placing bulky covers directly over the eyes. This partial coverage approach provides adequate eye protection while minimizing protrusion and eliminating the risk of impingement on the eyeball.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional bulbous cover design to a two-dimensional flat or contoured shield that rests on the orbital rim. This dimensional change reduces protrusion in the forward direction while maintaining protective coverage, eliminating the bumping hazard.
3Reliability
If eye pads are taped across the eye sockets, then the eyes are covered, but the eyelids are not visible and may open without knowledge leading to corneal drying or abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs transparent or translucent materials for the eye guard cover, allowing medical practitioners to visually monitor the eyelid status and eye condition without removing the protective device. This maintains both eye coverage and visibility of eyelid position.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent material acts as an intermediary that simultaneously provides physical protection and optical transmission. It allows practitioners to observe eye status through the material, eliminating the information loss associated with opaque eye pads while maintaining protective coverage.
4Reliability
If separate moulded eye guards are used to create chambers, then the eyes are protected from direct contact, but the guards would interfere with eye patches and still impinge upon the edges of the eye if direct pressure is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the eye protection function with the attachment mechanism into a single integrated unit. The eye guard is designed as one piece with an attached adhesive backing, eliminating the need for separate eye patches and simplifying the overall device while maintaining protective chamber functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides eye protection, secure attachment via adhesive backing, and compatibility with standard eye patches. The design accommodates multiple functions without requiring separate components, reducing complexity and 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
The eye shield effectively prevents eye trauma by distributing pressure and maintaining eye protection without obstructing surgical access, accommodating various face sizes, and allowing for observation of the eye region during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently deformable base that conforms to the face, distributing pressure across the orbital rims and bridge of the nose
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
There is provided an eye shield for releasable mounting to a face of a patient, used to inhibit direct pressure being applied to an eye or eyes of the patient during a medical procedure, including, a resiliently deformable base having at least one aperture extending therethrough that correspond to the position of an eye or eyes of the patient, and a curved, flexible, transparent cover plate attached to an upper surface of the base and extending over the at least one aperture, the cover plate including first and second eye cover portions joined by an integral hinge member therebetween, wherein the eye shield is attached to the face around the orbital rims of the respective eyes and the first and second eye cover portions are configured to pivot relative to each other around the hinge member and flex along their respective spans to generally conform to the shape of the face.