Triangular Prism Imaging for Ophthalmic Laser Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional optical imaging system in ophthalmic laser beam delivery systems is bulky, obstructing the surgeon's view and limiting the manipulation of the patient interface device due to its large size near the lower end of the delivery head.
Innovation Solution
The imaging sensor and related optics are relocated to the back side of the folding mirror, eliminating the need for a bulky housing by using a triangular prism to reflect and focus light to the imaging sensor, allowing for reduced space occupation and improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the imaging sensor and related optics are located in a bulky housing near the lower end of the focusing objective, then the imaging system can capture light from the eye, but the housing obstructs the surgeon's view and limits the freedom to manipulate the patient interface device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the imaging sensor and optics from a lateral position (occupying horizontal space near the lower end of the focusing objective) to a position on the back side of the folding mirror (utilizing the vertical/depth dimension). This dimensional relocation eliminates the need for a bulky lateral housing while maintaining the imaging function, thereby clearing the surgical field of view and improving manipulation freedom.
2Device complexity
If the imaging module housing extends laterally to accommodate the sensor and light guiding optics, then the imaging components can be housed, but the housing occupies space near the lower end of the focusing objective and blocks the surgeon's view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging module housing with the focusing objective housing, eliminating the need for a separate bulky lateral housing. The imaging sensor and light guiding optics are integrated into the existing housing structure at the back side of the folding mirror, reducing the overall lateral footprint and freeing up space near the lower end of the focusing objective.
3Reliability
If the imaging sensor is located on the side and near the lower end of the focusing objective, then the beam splitter and light guiding optics can guide light to the sensor, but the configuration requires a rotatable housing to accommodate the nose bridge when treating different eyes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of locating the imaging sensor on the lateral side requiring rotational movement to accommodate different eyes, the patent inverts the arrangement by placing the sensor on the back side of the folding mirror. This inverted configuration eliminates the need for rotation, as the imaging path is now aligned with the optical axis and can treat both eyes without mechanical repositioning.
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
This configuration minimizes the space occupied by the imaging system, enhancing the surgeon's visibility and ease of manipulating the patient interface during docking, while maintaining image signal intensity and spatial frequency information.
Implementation Method 1
using a triangular prism to reflect and focus light to the imaging sensor
Implementation Method 2
using a triangular prism to reflect and focus light to the imaging sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An optical imaging system for an ophthalmic laser beam delivery system, which includes a focusing objective including a plurality of lenses, a semi-transparent folding mirror disposed near an entrance of the focusing objective for reflecting a treatment laser beam into the focusing objective, a prism disposed adjacent a back surface of the folding mirror, the prism having a first, a second and a third surface, the second surface being disposed adjacent the back surface of the folding mirror, the prism being configured to reflect a light that has entered the second surface sequentially by the first surface and by the second surface toward the third surface to be output, a focusing lens module disposed adjacent the third surface of the prism to focus light output from the third surface of the prism, and an image sensor disposed to receive the light focused by the focusing lens module to form an image.